19th - 21st Sept 2025
THE DANCE AROUND THE WORLD SOLO COMPETITION
The Dance Around The World Solo Competition is part of our mission to celebrate Australia's best in dance. The competition recognizes the up and coming new talent in our industry. Two prizes are awarded:
MAJOR PRIZE (FOR DANCERS 15 YEARS AND OVER)
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$2,000 Travel Voucher from Dance Around The World
RISING STAR AWARD (FOR DANCERS 14 YEARS AND UNDER)
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Free weekend pass to the next Australian Dance Festival.
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$500 Energetiks Voucher
Royal Caribbean will be offering 2 x Contracts to DATW finalists at the ADF!
HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS
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During the workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday our instructors will be on the look out for exceptionally talented students who stand out.
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Some workshops will not have Dance Around The World Solo selections (this is clearly marked in the Workshop Timetable)
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At the end of each workshop, one person from each workshop will be selected to dance in the semi-finals on Saturday Evening (16th Sept).
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From here, 2 will be chosen to go into the finals on Sunday 10th April (one dancer under 14 years of age for the Rising Star Section, and one dancer 15 years +).
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These 2 finalists will compete against those chosen from the Sunday workshops on Sunday 17th Sept.
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Finalists must dance a 40-60 second solo in front of our judges. Finalists need to upload music for their solo via MyCompHQ and have suitable attire.
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Please note that solos must be rehearsed prior to the competition.
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The Australian Dance Festival reserves the right of refusal and the judges' decision is final.
HOW TO ENTER THE COMPETITION
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Competitors cannot be professional dancers (i.e. if you earn more than 50% of your annual income through dancing, you will be classified as a professional dancer)
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Competitors must participate in the workshops for the entire weekend of the Australian Dance Festival (as this is how they will get selected for the finals) i.e. you must be registered for a Weekend Pass or a 3 Day Workshop Pass.
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A $25 registration fee is payable to cover the cost of administering the competition which includes a numbered BIB to identify you as a Contender.
Step 1: Purchase A Weekend Pass AND the DATW Solo Option
If you are purchasing your weekend pass individually, please click here
If you are part of a Group Booking, please wait until your Studio has invited you to be part of a Group Booking BEFORE you go into the online booking system to add the Dance Around The World option.
Step 2: Register Your Details Online
Please ensure that you complete this Online Registration form. This enables our staff at ADF to allocate you with a Bib.
DATW Upgrade!
Get a RED coloured bib for DATW to let our Videographers know to Capture You!
We've got some electrifying news that's going to make your dance moves go viral and your social media explode!
✨. Introducing the DATW Upgrade: Videography Package for the Australian Dance Festival! 🎬🕺💃
Picture this: you, dancing your heart out at the workshops over three unforgettable days. Now imagine having your dance moves captured by a team of slick, professional videographers. 📸💥 We're talking Moose Visuals - the "Go To" cinematographer who our instructors trust to shoot them in the best light.
You'll walk away with top-notch, high-definition videos of your dance moves in the electrifying atmosphere of the ADF workshops! – the kind of content that turns heads, drops jaws, and gets those likes and shares multiplying on your social media accounts. 📱🔥
The investment in your personal brand as a dancer is just $60! - That's $20 per day! Spots are limited so book in now to avoid missing out.
You MUST have a DATW registration to purchase the DATW upgrade. Click here to book your pass. In the 'Extras' tab, Select "DATW Upgrade Videography Package"
Note: We do not guarantee video coverage of 100% of all workshops. For example, some workshops are sponsored and may have their own videographers. When purchasing the DATW Upgrade Videography package, expect that you will have 75% of your workshops covered. You will be provided with a Google Drive link and you can expect to have access to your workshop footage within 24 hours. You will be videoed with other dancers in the frame as well but you will be able to download and edit the videos as you please e.g. crop the video to focus on you.
2024 JUDGES
PAST WINNERS
DAISY-BOO ALLEN
2023 Winner
SHUGRI ABDI
2023 Rising Star
WILL DYSON
2022 Winner
LEWIS SHILVOCK
2019 Winner
ISABELLE BITSIKAS
2022 Rising Star
Tiana Kostopoulos
2019 Rising Star
GEORGIE FABIEN
2018 Winner
ELLE DIMOS
2018 Rising Star
JAMILLA ESCOBAR
2017 Rising Star
BRENDAN WEALS
2017 Winner
AARON MATHESON
2016 Winner
GEORGIA CARR
2016 Rising Star Winner
JAL JOSHUA
2015 Winner
EMMA ROSE MOUAWAD
2015 Rising Star Winner
ALEXANDRA MIEDZINSKI
2014 Winner
MICHAEL DAMESKI
2013 Winner
KATE BEATTIE
2012 Winner
SIMON PLANT
2011 Winner