Rules and Policies

Click the link below to download the Smoky Mountain Invitational rules.

All rules will be compliant with the National Dance Council of America, Inc. official regulations.

Smoky Mountain Invitational 2024 RULES

NDCA

All rules will be compliant with the National Dance Council of America, Inc. official regulations.

The NDCA syllabus is used for all closed categories. Closed syllabus events will be invigilated by an NDCA certified Invigilator.

All competitors, Amateur, Pro-Am, and Professional, must provide proof of NDCA 2024 registration before dancing. Any competitor not currently registered with the NDCA will be required to register at the competition on their smartphone, and to show proof of registration, before being given a package, number, heat sheet or allowed to dance.

PRE TEEN CLOTHING RESTRICTIONS

Pre Teen (11 & under) competitors are restricted in costuming as per the NDCA rule book.

REGISTRATION

FINAL REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT DEADLINE

A $50 late fee per person will be charged for all registration and payments received after the Final Registration Deadline.

No studio checks, personal checks, money orders, or cashiers checks will be accepted after the Final Registration Deadline or at the competition.

Only cash, credit card, or Zelle will be accepted after the Final Registration Deadline and at the event. All credit card payments will be accompanied by a 4% fee.

LEVELS

A student may only enter two dance levels, their own level plus one higher. Example: A bronze level dancer may dance bronze and silver levels but may not enter gold.

All Freestyle Single Dances may be entered as Closed and Open as well as Contested and Proficiency.

AGES

Adult students may enter their own age level plus any age level below, down to A.

AA is a restricted age for base age A students to be able to dance down 1 age. AA may not be entered without the student also first entering age level A.

NEWCOMER EVENTS

Newcomer Events are open to students who have competed less than one calendar year.

SCHOLARSHIPS

To enter any Pro-Am Scholarship you must dance the same number of single dances as listed in each scholarship. For example: each 3 dance Scholarship you must dance 3 single dances, for each 4 dance scholarship you must dance 4 single dances, for each 5 dance scholarship you must dance 5 single dances.... etc.

A competitor may enter each of their Scholarships in 2 age categories and 2 levels, base level and 1 higher (ie Bronze & Silver or Silver & Gold). Competitors may enter up to 2 age categories, the base age and any age lower down to A.

PROFICIENCY EVENTS

Proficiency categories are available in all levels and age groups for Freestyle Single Dance Events for those who wish to compete for their own individual score rather than against others.

SOLO EVENTS

There are two categories of Solo performances. Solo refers to a routine with only 2 people (1 amateur and 1 professional or 2 amateurs) on the floor. Spectacular refers to any routine containing more than 2 people (1 amateur and multiple professionals, 1 professional and multiple amateurs or more than 3 amateurs).

Proficiency categories are available in all levels and age groups for Freestyle Single Dance Events for those who wish to compete for their own individual score, rather than against others.

PROFESSIONAL DANCE EVENTS

Professional Novice 2 Dance - Each partner must have one year or less of professional experience as of January 1st in the year of the Event.

Professional Pre Champ 4 Dance - Each Partnership must have a combined experience of no more than 4 years as of January 1st in the year of the Event.

REFUNDS

CANCELLATIONS

After the final registration deadline (September 5, 2024) and before the first day of the event (September 19, 2024): Cancellations with refunds requests will be take on a case by case basis. No refunds will be issued for meal tickets, reserved seats, or general admission tickets. Any refunds given will be mailed by business check within 30 days after the close of the Event, minus a $50 processing fee.

From the first day of the event onward: Cancellations, missed heats, and scratches will not be eligible for refunds. Emergency cancellations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be eligible for a credit to the next year's Event.

RELEASE

All attendees, being fully cognizant of the risks inherent in ballroom dancing and exhibitions, shall hereby:

No responsibility for loss or theft of articles left in Changing Rooms, Ballrooms or Hotel Rooms can be accepted by the Organizer, or by the National Dance Council of America, Inc., and neither can they be held liable for injury sustained by persons attending this event. Everyone attending does so at his or her own risk.

All persons attending this event, whether as spectators, competitors, officials, or guests of the organizer, shall be bound by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. rules, and by participating in this event automatically become obligated to adhere to them.

Consent to use and release of his/her name and likeness to be used in photographs, television filming and recording of the event used in connection with the television broadcast, exhibition, distribution or promotion of the event in any manner and by any means, now or in the future by Go Travel Inc., Knoxville FADS Inc. d.b.a. Go Dance, and the National Dance Council of America, Inc. If any person has an objection to being photographed and/or video recorded, the possibility of being seen on these recordings, in any publicity trailers, or other use of his or her picture, please notify the organizers of this event in writing thirty days prior to the commencement. Failure to notify will be considered as permission granted.