Dancer Rules & Registration

BBB MT 2026

Official BBB Dance Challenge Rules

BBB embraces the changing landscapes of our global dance art form. While excellence is our goal, we also seek to preserve the heritage we passionately share. We strive to protect, inspire, and connect the next generation of young artists with professionals of the highest caliber and with mentors that align with these ideals. Dance is a cultural phenomenon and dancers are natural diplomats. Ballet Beyond Borders is a Ballet Nation that serves as a catalyst for promoting cooperation and easing conflict by creating mutual understanding and using dance to advocate for human rights, justice, and global peace.

Ballet Beyond Borders is a Festival that provides a cultural, educational and diplomatic exchange to further human understanding and spark vital communication. BBB presents classical ballet and all genres of dance from Folkloric and Native American cultures with indigenous nations of Africa and South America, hip-hop, tap and contemporary choreography.

BBB presents you with an opportunity to leave your footprints on a global stage. Ballet Beyond Borders is an OPEN land, with an OPEN heart and an OPEN dialogue. Please bring your dances and your stories, your technique, and your artistry to our ballet nation.

Prizes, Scholarships & Education: Prizes will include scholarships, and awards to prestigious programs in the USA and abroad. In addition to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in every category, special recognition prizes from the distinguished jury panel.

-BBB Participants may enter the dance challenge in:

Solo
Classical Pas de deux
Duet
Group 3 or more dancers

Participants may compete in separate ballet, contemporary/modern, open, or choreography categories. Solos may only compete in one routine per category.

Ballet
Contemporary/Modern
Open Category includes Hip Hop, Flamenco, Ballroom, Tap and all forms of ethnic/cultural dance.
Young Choreographer

Age Categories--determined by your age on January 1st, 2025 for both in person and online

Children: 6-9
Student: 10-12
Junior: 13-15
Senior: 16-18
Professional: 19 - 30

These age groups apply to Ballet, Contemporary/Modern and Open Categories and Young choreographer.

BBB reserves the right to designate the correct category of the participants’ entry. You must reserve all rights to the music and choreography for your performance.

Solo Ballet Category rules:

Ballet slippers or pointe shoes must be worn.
No pointe shoes allowed in the children or student categories-EXCEPT for dancers in the student category age 12 who may perform on pointe at the discretion of the teacher or coach. The jury will be instructed not to judge higher or lower based on a young dancer's performance on pointe.
Classical variations or Neo-Classical are accepted. Choreographed in the style of 18th & 19th century and is defined as original choreography or choreography from a Classical ballet. Origianl choreography with innovative approaches to technique, musicality and movement are highly encouraged and appreciated.
All age levels will perform one variation that can be either a classical variation or a piece of original choreography utilizing classical technique or neoclassical choreography. (Please bring age-appropriate choreography. This may also include demi-character dances or variations that incorporate storytelling and original choreography.)

Solo Contemporary/Modern Category Rules:

No pointe shoes are allowed in the Contemporary/Modern category
Contemporary competitors will perform one piece.
Solo Open Category Rules
This category includes all styles of dance: tap, hip-hop, break, indigenous, folkloric, theatre, etc.
Open competitors will perform one piece.

Young Choreographer

This category is for original work choreographed by a competitor who is age 6 – 30. Solo, duet, or group pieces are accepted in any style. Competitors may submit two pieces in this category. One solo either performed by them or another dancer and one duet or group piece.
You may NOT use a piece that is already entered in another category in BBB Cuba 2025.

Rules for length of Performances:

All solos in all categories may not exceed 3:00 minutes
All duets/group/ensemble dances may not exceed 5:00 minutes
Young choreographer may not exceed 5:00 minutes

!!! - Exception = Classical Pas de Deux category is the length as dictated by the established choreography and Music.

Deadline for Music Submission

Your music must be submitted by email in Mp3 orM4a format by January 1st, 2026.

BBB Fees for Registration:

SOLO FEES

Solos (all categories): $200 SOLO FEE CHANGE AS OF 2021*
Your initial entry fee will cover ALL categories. If you wish to compete in more than 1 category there is no additional fee.
Young Choreographer: dancers performing for a choreographer do not need to register individually for this category. The choreographer is the competitor
Young Choreographer: If two people are choreographing a piece together they each pay the full fee and each register separately. Please contact us at bbb@rmbt.org if you are collaborating on a young choreographer piece.
DUET/GROUPS
Pas de deux/duet: $200 total
Groups 3+: $300

The fee is all inclusive and includes your participation on stage and off at all master classes and cultural programs as well as any special event offered by BBB. There are no refunds and no exceptions. The registration fees do not contain insurance for the participants. BBB assumes no liability for a dancer's participation, either on or off-stage, in any and all foreseeable and non-foreseeable situations for the duration of the contest.

Solo Registration You will be invoiced for your registration fee through the email you submit on the form. Registration fee is due by Dec. 1 2025. You have until Jan 1 2026 to fill in the competition information form which includes an upload of your music files. Be sure to fill out the competition information form for each category you will participate in.