Competitive dance

Competitive dance is a popular, widespread sport in which competitors perform dances in any of several permitted dance styles—such as open, acro, ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, tap, and improv—before a panel of judges, typically with professional dance experience. This differs from other dance-related competitions based on specific styles or purposes, such as pom squad and dancesport (competitive ballroom dance). The competitive dance industry largely consists of competition production companies (sometimes called dance competition companies or competition lines) that conduct regional competitions at stops along their annual, nationwide tours. Dancers who compete at these regional competitions are students typically ranging in age from five to eighteen.