The Global Dance Open (GDO) provides a comprehensive competition overview. It is a worldwide competition that brings together dancers from various styles. Organized by Ultimate Dance Productions Ltd., it offers a platform for showcasing talent and career advancement. Learn about its rules, categories, and how to qualify.
Graceful Insights
- The Global Dance Open is an inclusive, international competition for dancers of all skill levels. Its goal is to boost careers and celebrate diverse dance styles.
- Dancers must qualify through national semi-finals with a minimum score of 75 points to compete at the Grand Finals in July 2025, ensuring only top performers make it to the big stage.
- The GDO’s judging is comprehensive, focusing on technique, choreography, and overall impression. Various awards celebrate achievements and offer career-boosting opportunities.
Art de Podcast
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Finals | July 16-20, 2025 | The ICC Birmingham, England | A five-day event featuring competitions, masterclasses, and learning experiences. The judging panel includes 25 artistic directors from prestigious institutions. Over €600,000 in scholarships were awarded in 2024, with expectations to increase in 2025. |
| Global Grand Prix | July 14-17, 2025 | The ICC Birmingham, England | A special competition within the finals for dancers aged 14 and over, nominated based on their performances. Includes ballet class evaluations and performances, with winners announced during the Classical Gala. |
| Qualifier Events | Various Dates | Multiple Locations | Qualifiers, held globally in cities like Beckenham, Johannesburg, Sydney, and more, lead to the 2025 finals. Dancers can also participate in virtual qualifiers if a live event is unavailable in their country. |
What is the Global Dance Open?
The Global Dance Open (GDO) is an international competition that brings dancers worldwide to celebrate and showcase their talents across various dance styles. Founded by the Thomas sisters, the event aims to provide dancers with future training opportunities and experiences that can propel their careers forward. Organized by Ultimate Dance Productions Ltd., based in the UK, the GDO ensures a high standard of event management and execution.
One of the unique aspects of the GDO is its inclusivity. The competition invites amateur, pre-professional, and professional dancers from all nationalities. This inclusive approach has enabled the GDO to become a melting pot of cultures, styles, and talents, making it a truly global dance event. Previous winners have often gained international fame, demonstrating the competition’s potential to launch successful dance careers.
The GDO is renowned for its high-energy performances, which captivate both the audience and the judges. These performances integrate various dance genres, creating a dynamic and exhilarating atmosphere that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
Eligibility and Age Division
The Global Dance Open is a celebration of dance that welcomes participants of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. To ensure fair and balanced competition, the competition is divided into several age divisions: Junior (ages 8-12), Teen (ages 13-17), and Adult (ages 18 and above). This division allows dancers to compete against peers of similar age and experience.
Dancers can participate in one solo or ensemble category per age division, ensuring they have the opportunity to showcase their talents in the correct category. This structure helps maintain the integrity of the competition and ensures that each performance is judged fairly. The age division for each dancer is determined by their age as of the competition date, providing a clear and straightforward guideline for all participants.
By adhering to these age divisions and categories, the Global Dance Open ensures a level playing field where dancers can perform to the best of their abilities and be recognized for their unique talents.
GDO Competition Categories
The Global Dance Open participants can compete in various categories, ensuring a perfect fit for every dancer’s unique talents and preferences. The main categories include ballet, contemporary, jazz, solos, ensembles, and age divisions.
This diverse range of categories allows dancers to showcase their skills in their preferred styles and formats. Dancers often must perform specific repertoire pieces in their selected genres, especially in ballet, where traditional ballet variations demonstrate their technical skills and artistic expression.
For those who enjoy performing in groups, the GDO offers ensemble categories for classical ballet, contemporary dance, and national character routines. These categories are divided by specific age and style guidelines to ensure fair competition and help participants find the correct category.
Duet and trio categories are also available for classical ballet and contemporary dance, accommodating all age groups. National character routines representing traditional folk dances are categorized as solos, duets, trios, and ensembles, adding a cultural flair to the competition.
To accommodate the evolving nature of dance, the GDO also features open ensemble categories, where dancers can perform any style outside the specified categories shown, provided they meet additional entry requirements. Age division is strictly enforced, with dancers adhering to their age as of January 1, 2025. This ensures a level playing field and appropriate competition standards.
How to Qualify
Qualifying for the Global Dance Open is a journey requiring dedication and excellence. Dancers must qualify through national semi-finals to compete at the Grand Finals, scheduled for July 2025 in Birmingham, UK. Whether part of a studio or an independent dancer, you must qualify at a national qualifier event to represent your school or country at the finals.
To be eligible for the finals, dancers must earn a minimum score of 75 points at national qualifiers. The top four routines in duet, trio, and ensemble categories that score over 75 points will qualify for the finals. This ensures that only the best of the best make it to the Grand Finals, maintaining a high standard of competition. Dancers must qualify through national semi-finals during 2024/25 to compete in the Grand Finals.
Registration is a critical step in the qualification process. All inscriptions must be completed online and finalized with payment. Late inscriptions or payments submitted after the closing date will incur a 10% penalty, and those made more than seven days past the closing date will not be accepted.
If a country lacks a live qualifier, dancers may enter qualifiers in selected countries, pending confirmation. During qualifiers and finals, participants may present only one solo and one duet or trio in each category.
Performance Guidelines
The Global Dance Open takes pride in its rigorous performance guidelines, which ensure fair and high-quality presentations. For classical ballet solos, dancers are divided into categories based on age, with specific requirements for choreography and footwear. Contemporary solos, which allow for a mix of styles, such as modern, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance, are open to students of all ages.
Different performance categories have specific rules regarding the inclusion of acrobatic elements. While some levels allow unlimited acrobatic elements, others impose restrictions to maintain the integrity of the dance style. For instance, ballet performances must showcase classical movements without pointe shoes and are prohibited from including acrobatic elements.
Special categories like the Super Line require at least 15 dancers and prohibit the portrayal of a storyline. They focus purely on dance technique and synchronization. Productions, on the other hand, must tell a narrative and can include props, adding a theatrical element to the performance.
Ensure your costume is ready, and bring extra supplies, such as tights and a small emergency sewing kit, to prevent last-minute mishaps.
Judging Criteria
Performances at the Global Dance Open are judged on a comprehensive scoring scale, typically out of 100 points. Each judge assigns separate scores for different aspects of the performance, such as technique, performance, choreography, and overall impression. These scores are then summed to determine the total score.
Technical execution and performance are crucial, each potentially accounting for 35 points in the total score. An overall impression score may include elements such as costume, makeup, and style, contributing to the judges’ performance evaluation. Competitors are ranked based on these scores, leading to medal placements such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, High Gold, Platinum, or Shooting Star.
Special awards, like Judge’s Choice and Choreography Awards, recognize exceptional achievements beyond standard scoring. Major awards are also available for studios with significant entries, recognizing categories like Best Costume and Most Entertaining Routine. Overall, awards are distributed for various age divisions and categories, ensuring top performers across different levels are recognized.
Awards and Prizes
The Global Dance Open offers various awards based on performance scores. For top performances, distinctions such as Diamond, Platinum, and High Gold are given, clearly recognizing excellence. Participants can also receive gold, silver, and bronze medals, celebrating their achievements and encouraging them to strive for higher goals.
In addition to these individual awards, the GDO offers special prizes that can significantly impact a dancer’s career. These prizes can include scholarships, training opportunities, and even invitations to perform at prestigious events worldwide, making the competition a valuable stepping stone for aspiring dancers.
Important Dates and Updates
Mark your calendars! The Grand Finals of the Global Dance Open are scheduled for July 16th-20th, 2025, in Birmingham, United Kingdom. All performances must adhere to a specific order per the final competition schedule unless the Competition Director grants exceptions.
Organizing and checking your schedule and clear commitments before the competition week is essential to focus adequately on preparation. Costume changes are limited to three acts, and studios are allowed only two’ Performance Holds’ during a competition weekend.
Props must not exceed a height of 15 feet and cannot be used to alter the stage surface or backdrop.
Venue and Schedule
The Global Dance Open will be held at the iconic Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. This expansive venue promises to elevate the competition experience. It will feature multiple stages, including a grand main stage and several smaller stages, each designed to accommodate a diverse range of performances.
The schedule for the competition will be announced well in advance, detailing specific performance times for each age division and category. This allows participants to prepare thoroughly and ensures the event runs smoothly. In addition to the dance performances, the event will offer a variety of activities, including art installations, food and drink vendors, and merchandise booths, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for all attendees.
The Global Dance Open is committed to fostering community and inclusivity. The event’s mission is to create a safe and welcoming environment where dancers and spectators alike can enjoy the celebration of dance. This focus on community ensures that everyone, from participants to audience members, feels valued and included.
Qualifier Events Schedule
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| January 2-4, 2025 | Birmingham, England |
| January 5, 2025 | Manchester, England |
| January 11, 2025 | Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany |
| January 24-25, 2025 | Sydney, Australia |
| February 1-2, 2025 | Perth, Australia |
| February 1-2, 2025 | Brussels, Belgium |
| February 7-9, 2025 | Dundee, Scotland |
| February 19-20, 2025 | Tychy, Poland |
| February 22-23, 2025 | Newcastle, England |
| March 1-4, 2025 | Braga, Portugal |
| March 15-16, 2025 | Toronto, Canada |
| March 25-28, 2025 | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| April 5-6, 2025 | Gibraltar |
| April 12-13, 2025 | Sharjah, United Arab Emirates |
| April 25-27, 2025 | Mérida, Spain |
| May 3-4, 2025 | Rabat, Malta |
| May 10-11, 2025 | Rome, Italy |
| May 17-18, 2025 | Grenchen, Switzerland |
| May 24, 2025 | Gran Canaria, Canary Islands |
| May 25, 2025 | Reykjavik, Iceland |
Finals Schedule
| Date | Event Details |
|---|---|
| July 14-15, 2025 | Global Grand Prix Nominees: Classwork Evaluation & Grand Desfile Rehearsals. |
| July 15, 2025 | Dancer of the Globe Video Shoot Rehearsals. |
| July 16-17, 2025 | Ballet, Contemporary, Neoclassical, National/Folklore sections; Dancer of the Globe Classwork; Dancer of the Globe Videoshoot. |
| July 17, 2025 | Classical Gala with Guest Performances & Grand Desfile. |
| July 18-20, 2025 | Performer Categories. |
| July 20, 2025 | Performer Gala. |
| July 21, 2025 | Additional events and workshops. |
Global Dance Open History and Impact
The Global Dance Open was founded in 2013 to promote dance and provide a platform for dancers to showcase their talents globally. Since its inception, the competition has grown exponentially, attracting dancers worldwide and becoming a premier event in the dance community.
The Global Dance Open has had a profound impact on the dance world. It has provided countless opportunities for dancers to perform in front of a global audience, connect with other dancers and choreographers, and gain valuable exposure. The competition has also significantly promoted various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop, ensuring that all dance forms are celebrated and appreciated.
The Global Dance Open has also significantly impacted social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Performance videos and behind-the-scenes footage have garnered millions of views, showcasing the participants’ talent and creativity worldwide. This online presence has inspired a new generation of dancers, many of whom have pursued careers in dance and choreography.
The competition’s influence extends beyond the performances. It has helped promote dance education and awareness, encouraging participants and attendees to pursue further education and training in dance. The Global Dance Open has become a cornerstone event in the dance world, attracting top choreographers and dancers from around the globe and continuing to inspire and elevate the art of dance.
Notable Past Performances
Numerous standout performances have graced the Global Dance Open, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and judges alike. These performances are often recognized for their innovative choreography and impressive execution, setting benchmarks for future competitors. Videos of these standout performances usually showcase the unique styles and techniques that define top competitors in the GDO.
These notable performances exemplify the dynamic creativity and technical prowess expected at the GDO. They performed as inspiration for aspiring dancers, demonstrating the heights one can achieve through dedication and artistry.
Tips for Participants
Preparing for the Global Dance Open requires both physical and mental readiness. Prioritize your health with a balanced diet and hydration, and take breaks if necessary to recover from illness before the competition. Regular practice is essential to building confidence, which helps manage nerves leading up to the event.
To manage nerves and enjoy the competition experience, practice calming techniques such as deep breathing and listening to relaxing music. Assembling a personal survival kit that includes calming items like favorite snacks and music can also help reduce pre-competition stress.
To enhance your performance readiness, focus on your personal goals and avoid comparing yourself to other participants. Remember, the Global Dance Open is as much about personal growth as it is about competition, so keep your eyes on your journey.
Resume
The Global Dance Open is a remarkable platform that brings together dancers worldwide to celebrate and showcase their talents. We hope this guide has provided valuable insights into the GDO, from understanding the competition categories and qualification process to grasping the performance guidelines and judging criteria.
Whether you’re a participant, a coach, or a dance enthusiast, the GDO offers endless opportunities for growth, recognition, and inspiration. So, lace up your dance shoes, bring your best moves, and prepare to shine on the global stage. The world of dance is waiting for you!
