IABF Adult Ballet Competition

Compete to win amazing prizes and receive feedback from judges!

Why compete?

Dance competitions are an amazing tool for improvement. Typically this opportunity is reserved for children, but now you have the chance to compete as an adult.

Dancers have the opportunity to prepare a piece to their highest level, receive feedback from judges, and win amazing prizes!

Scoring & Levels

Scoring will be based on a Technical Component and an Artistic Component.

Dancers will be divided into divisions by level & performance type. Divisions will be self-reported, but IABF reserves the right to adjust the division of the dancer after the dress rehearsal.

All adults ages 18+ & genders currently compete together in the same divisions.

Dancers may choose to compete in ballet slippers or en pointe. Depending on the number of entrants, there may be a separate pointe division.

We never lose. We either win or we learn.
— Nelson Mandela

Medals & Places

In each division, 3 places will be awarded. Any division with fewer than 3 dancers may be combined with another division.

  • 1st Place

  • 2nd Place

  • 3rd

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Winners will receive a medal and be engraved on the IABF Wall of Fame plaque to honor competitors starting in 2022 and future years! All dancers who enter will receive a ribbon.

Divisions

  • Classical Solo - 3 Levels Beginner, Advanced, Former Professional*

  • Contemporary/Lyrical Solo - 2 Levels Beginner, Advanced

  • Ensemble & Pas de Deux - 1 Level

*Former Professional dancers are dancers who have been employed as a full-time dancer with a professional dance company.

Additional prizes below will be chosen by the winners in order of high score,

2023 IABF Competition Winners

Advanced Solo Variations

1st Place: Jessica Maddox

2nd Place: Elena Mondragon

3rd Place: Hannah Cho

Beginner Solo Variations

1st Place: Kimberly Wilson

2nd Place: Barbara Nogueira

3rd Place: Brianna Davis


1st Place: Patricia Dwyer & John Gaunt

Duets

2nd Place: Bridget Hanson & Erica Centola

3rd Place: Elena Mondragon, Olivia Exum, Patricia Dwyer

1st Place: Kelsey Maloney-Steiner

Advanced Contemporary

2nd Place: Bridget Dimaano

3rd Place: Barbara Ellender


Beginner Contemporary

1st Place: Brenda M Rodriguez

2nd Place: Kris Roberts

3rd Place: Marissa Messinger

2022 IABF Competition Winners

Advanced Solo Variations

1st Place: Jessica Maddox

2nd Place: Precious Chong

Beginner Solos

1st Place: Jakiaya Norman

2nd Place: Kimberly Wilson


1st Place: Patricia Dwyer & John Gaunt

Duets

2nd Place: Sarah Mulutzie & Erica Centola

1st Place: Heather Forston

Advanced Contemporary

2nd Place: Kelsey Maloney-Steiner


Additional Winners

Anne Beard & Catherine Bradley

Duet Division

Hilary Allen

Beginner Solo Division

Joyce Sanders

Advanced Contemporary Solo Division

Kris Roberts

Beginner Solo Division

Nadia Ghani

Beginner Solo Division

Olivia Exum

Advanced Solo Variation Division

Renee Molley

Beginner Solo Division

Competition Rules

Eligibility & Rules

  • Competition participants must be over the age of 18 by June 1, 2023.

  • Pieces must be under 2 minutes 45 seconds.

  • Dancers are responsible for obtaining music licensing and choreography permissions.

  • Dancers may enter only 1 piece into the competition division.

2024 Judging Panel TBA

2022 & 2023 Competition Prizes

  • 1 Year Dancer Strong TM

    Like having a personal trainer all year! This program will build you from beginning to end, + works on all the major dance topics.

  • 3 HR Private Lesson w/ Julie Gill

    3 hours of private lessons will be conducted on Zoom to work on technique, turns, artistry, port de bras, and more.

    1 Available

  • 1 HR Private Lesson with Mikey Cusumano

    Private lesson conducted over Zoom with master teacher Mikey Cusumano.

    1 Available

  • 3 Month Pointe Doc Membership

    Live & recorded pre-pointe classes plus a 30-minute private session with Dr. Nina Geromel every month

    1 Available

  • Signed Center Center & Ballet Shoes

    Signed by professional dancer James Whiteside

    1 Available

  • SweetV Tiara or Crown

    Select the stunning SweetV Tiara or Crown of your choice.

    3 Available

  • Custom Ballet Costume

    Select the custom tutu or tunic of your choice up to $300 value. Tutus from Orchid Dance Shop & Tunics from Benefis Shop.

    2 Available

  • 5-Pack Pointe Shoe Paint

    From Pointe People. Paint can also be used for Canvas & Leather Ballet Shoes.

    2 Available

  • Vita Vibe home ballet barre

    Vita Vibe Prodigy Series home barre (or equivalent if international)

    2 Available

  • Dot2Dance Portable Floor

    Marley portable dance floor for pointework or ballet class over carpeting.

    1 Available

  • Hydragun Massage Gun

    Eliminate muscle pain and feel great with the Hydragun so you can achieve more.

    1 Available

Congratulations to all of the IABF Competition Participants!