NEXT IDC BERLIN: FEBRUARY 28TH + MARCH 1ST, 2026 // REGISTER BY JANUARY 31ST!
THE COMPETITION
A stage for every dancer...
The IDC Annual Dance Competition offers a unique, structured event where young dancers can showcase their skills and perform in front of a live audience and professional judges.
Our Competition takes place all in one weekend!
With a set of optional masterclasses participants will have the opportunity to level up and learn from the best!
HOW IT WORKS
The competition is divided into different groups based on age, dance styles, and routine type to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all participants.
AGE
Minis | Ages 4-8
For our youngest dancers who are just starting their journey in dance
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Pre-Competitive | Ages 9 - 11
Young dancers who are beginning to gain experience in performing
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Juniors | Ages 12 - 13
A more advanced group for dancers who have been training for a few years
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Teens | Ages 14 - 15
Dancers who are transitioning into more challenging choreography and preparing for advanced training.
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Seniors | Ages 16- 18
Our pre-professional division, often consisting of dancers with longer dance experience
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Adults | Ages 19- 29
For those who may not be pursuing a career in dance, but just want to get on stage!
DANCE STYLES
Participants can perform in a variety of styles, catering to their strengths and interests
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Classical Ballet/ Neoclassical/ Open Classical
Traditional ballet technique, showcasing grace and precision
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Contemporary/ Lyrical
A blend of classical technique with modern movements. Classical lines such as stretched feet and legs can be used.
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Modern Dance
Emphasizes freedom of movement, more acrobatic and usually with floorwork. Classical lines are not necessary.
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Character Dance/ National Dance/ Folklore
Story-driven performances that incorporate theatrical or folk styles. (Mazurka, Czardas, Polka...)
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Jazz Dance/ Show Dance/ Musical Theatre
Energetic, rhythmic, and often upbeat performances inspired by pop culture, and or "broadway" style.
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Hip Hop/ Street/ Commercial/ Funk
A street style dance focused on freestyle movements and rhythm​
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Choreographic Composition
Abstract or mixed styles of dance that don't fit into a specific category.​
ROUTINE TYPE
Performances are categorized based on the number of participants
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Solo/ Variation
1 dancer performing alone
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Duet/ Trio
2 or 3 dancers performing together
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Group
4 or more dancers performing as a group
SCORING
Each performance is given a mark out of 100 by each judge, based on the
following criteria:​
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Technique (30%)
The dancer’s ability to execute movements accurately and skillfully
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Artistry and Stage Presence (30%)
The dancer’s emotional expression and connection with the audience. Confidence and professionalism on stage
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Staging and Performance Execution (30%)
The overall polish of the performance, including timing, synchronization, spacing, and how cleanly the choreography is delivered — whether as a soloist or in a group.
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Choreography (10%)
The creativity and originality of the performance (non classical pieces)
Age appropriate choice of choreography, as well as level of difficulty (classical)
AWARDS AND PRIZES
The lowest of the four judges’ scores is eliminated, and the remaining three are added for a final score out of 300.
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Adjudications:
Every entry will receive an adjudication based on their total score:
150-179= Bronze
180- 209 = Silver
210- 239 points = High Silver
240-267 points = Gold
268- 291 = Platinum
291- 300 = IDC Legend
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Winners:
In addition, the Top 3 Solos , Top 3 Duets/ Trios and Top 3 Groups
with the highest scores in each age group will be announced.​
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Within each age category, the solo with the highest overall score out of 300, regardless of style, will be awarded ‘Best Overall Talent.
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Prizes will be given to the top winners of each category- to be announced soon.
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Additionally, special awards will be given in each age category for 'Best Choreography', 'Best Artistry', 'Most Improvement' (for those dancers who competed in previous years' IDC Berlin).
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Scholarships and Prizes
Dancers and schools will receive prizes such as gift vouchers, dancewear, scholarships and discounts to summer schools, dance courses and programs around the world.
2026 Prizes will be announced shortly.
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These will also be handed at our Masterclass series which will take place before the start of the competition - Judges will watch the classes and present scholarships and prizes to those they see stand out. This way, those who may be better in class, than in a prepared stage routine, have their moment to shine. See below at Masterclasses for more information.
MEET OUR ESTEEMED JURY
Our jury is composed of professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers from prestigious stages across Europe. Each member brings their experience and expertise to ensure fair and insightful evaluations. Judges are well rounded in all styles of dance. Get to know who will be judging this year's IDC competition:
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2026 Jury Members Masterclass schedule will be announced shortly!
2026 JURY
Ballet/ Contemporary
Marek Rózycki
Artistic Director
State Ballet School Berlin
Ballet/ Contemporary
Devon Teuscher
Principal Dancer
American Ballet Theatre
Ballet
Polina Semionova
International Prima Ballerina
Staatsballett Berlin
American Ballet Theatre
Ballet
Tomas Karlborg
Ballet Master, Staatsballett Berlin
International Guest Teacher
Principal Dancer Deutsche Oper Berlin
Commercial/ Funk/ Hip Hop
Lucia Poelzer
TheCompany Berlin
Performed with Badmómzjay
Performed with Cro
Ballet/ Contemporary
Alejandro Virelles
Principal London City Ballet
Principal Staatsballett Berlin
Principal English National Ballet
Principal National Ballet of Cuba
Lyrical Jazz/ Showdance
Melissa Sicre
Friedrichstadtpalast
Soloist Lido Paris
Opera de Paris
Ballet
Martin Ten Kortenaar
Principal Dancer
Staatsballett Berlin
Het Nationale Ballet
National Ballet Canada
Showdance/Jazz/ Contemporary
Aeri Kim
Freidrichstadt Palast Berlin
Universal Ballet Korea
Kirov Ballet Academy
Staatsballett Berlin
Hip Hop/ Commercial/ Street
Karen Schweiger
Choreographer
Dancer
Ballet/ Contemporary
Angela Malan
Former Principal with Johannesburg Ballet Theatre
International Guest Teacher with Royal Ballet of London, La Scala Milan, Tivoli Ballet Theatre
Modern
Susi Neff
Founder/ Director of Berlin Dance Institute
Modern
Alan Barnes
Frankfurt Ballett (Forsythe Company)
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Choreographer
Forsythe Repetiteur
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OUR 2025 PRIZE PARTNERS
MASTERCLASSES
Take advantage of our masterclasses taught by our judges all of whom are industry professionals. They are another chance to win prizes, scholarships and get feedback.
Our jury panel will be watching the classes and selecting notable dancers for special mentions and prizes.
The masterclasses will take place on February 28 and March 1, 2026, parallel to the competition and are open to all dancers. Participation in the competition and the masterclasses is independent—dancers may choose either or both!
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Masterclass schedule and location will be announced 4 weeks before competition date.​
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This is a great chance to refine your skills, learn new techniques, and work with our esteemed judges before performing on stage in front of them.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28th, 2026:
All Non- Classical categories: Contemporary/ Lyrical, Modern, Jazz/ Show Dance, Hip Hop/ Commercial/ Funk/ Street, Character Dance/ National Dance/ Folklore, Choreographic Composition
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Masterclasses and Competition: 09:00 - 21:00
Competition will go in order of age categories, starting with Minis and finishing with Seniors/ Adults in the evening. Masterclasses will run parallel.
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SUNDAY MARCH 1st, 2026:
All Classical categories: Ballet, Open Classical, Neoclassical
​Masterclasses and Competition: 9:00 - 19:00
Competition will go in order of age categories, starting with Minis and finishing with Seniors/ Adults in the evening. Masterclasses will run parallel.​​
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Exact Schedule/ Show Order will be announced 1-2 weeks before competition begins, sent privately to all participants.
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Please be prepared to spend the entire day with us as times are all approximate!
For more information check out our Competition Guidelines page
For information on Hotels, Studio space and theatres, check out our Contact and Locations page