Categories of Dancers

In the United States, there are the following amateur competitive skill levels:

• Championship
• Pre-Championship
• Novice
• Syllabus: Bronze, Silver & Gold (restricted figures)

Dancers competing in the Syllabus level events are only allowed to dance figures at the level or below which they are dancing. For example, a couple competing in a Silver level event may only dance Silver and Bronze figures. You can see the allowed figures in the Syllabus section of this website.

Age levels:
DanceSport competitions are also divided into events for different age levels. The age levels offered at USA DanceSport competitions in the United States are:

• Pre-Teen I: reach 9th birthday or less in the calendar year
• Pre-Teen II: reach 10th and 11th birthday in the calendar year
• Junior I: reach 12th and 13th birthday in the calendar year
• Junior II: reach 14th and 15th birthday in the calendar year
• Youth: reach 16th, 17th and 18th birthday in the calendar year
• Adult: reach 19th birthday or more in the calendar year
• Adult B: reach 35th birthday or more in the calendar year
• Senior: reach 50th birthday or more in the calendar year

Who can compete in a Dance Competition?
Any amateur dancer registered with USA Dance as a competitor or registered with an organization affiliated with an International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) member organization may enter into a dance competition organized by USA DanceSport. In most events, dancers compete as couples. However, some events such as formation team competitions are performed by teams of dancers.

What are the events in a Competition?

USA DanceSport offers events in the following styles of dance:

International Style Standard

Waltz
Tango
Viennese Waltz
Foxtrot
Quickstep

Latin American

Cha Cha
Samba
Rumba
Paso Doble
Jive

American Style Smooth

Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Viennese Waltz

American Rhythm

Cha Cha
Rumba
East Coast Swing
Bolero
Mambo

Miscellaneous

Theater Arts
Cabaret
Night Club
West Coast Swing
Salsa
Hustle
Night Club Two Step