A participant’s age for the entire YBM 2025 season is determined strictly as of January 1, 2025. Overall ages are as follows:

Starter   (6-8)

Pre-Competitive   (9-11)

Junior   (12-14)

Senior   (15-18)

Professional (19-21)

A professional dancer is defined by YBM as anyone who is employed as a full-time dancer (Apprentices are included) with a professional dance company on a yearly contract that engages the dancer at least 26 weeks per year.

Classical Variation or Contemporary/Open Solo: Maximum 2 min. and 30 sec. (2:30)

Ensembles:

Classical Pas de Deux: Maximum 6 minutes (6:00) (Adagio and Coda only)

Contemporary Pas de Deux: Maximum 3 minutes and 30 seconds (3:30)

2-3 members: Maximum 2 minutes and 45 seconds (2:45)

4-9 members: Maximum 3 minutes and 30 seconds (3:30)

10+ members: Maximum 5 minutes (5:00)

Participants are NOT permitted to purchase additional time. Any entry with music that exceeds the allotted time limit may result in point deduction or disqualification.

Participants may enter the competition as soloists, part of an ensemble or Pas De Deux entry, or in any combination thereof.

Participants may enter the competition either representing an Independent Student who is participating without a school affiliation, as an Individual Dancer who is affiliated with a school (You must obtain your school’s 36-digit studio code before registration can be started), or the Studio/School may register all participants for YBM.

Solo participants can enter (4) solo performances.

By the request of the many theater facilities’ administrations, and in order to comply with fire code regulations and security considerations, a maximum of 2 representatives per school (including teachers and school/studio directors) are allowed backstage - and only during OPEN STAGE! There will be no exceptions.

It is mandatory that ALL music be uploaded this year for The YBM Competition. Music can be uploaded from your registration page on the dashboard. All music must be submitted 2 weeks prior to the competition. Please make sure you bring a flash drive as a back-up for your music to the venue.

A time schedule and general information will be emailed to all registered studios seven days prior to the competition date. A general schedule will be posted on the website as well. Performances are expected to perform in the order they are scheduled.

In order to compete in the Classical Ballet category, dancers must select their variation from the Classical Repertoire List on Performance page. Please note age restrictions on variations. Please see Performance Page for complete list of performance rules and regulations, details and requirements and Classical Repertoire List.

Please note that all props are used at the contestants’ own risk. YBM is not responsible for any injury or incident resulting from a contestant’s use of props of their choice. YBM does not provide storage for any props, is not responsible for any lost props, and does not provide assistance with the movement of props either on or off stage. Please be prepared to clean up immediately after the routine is finished with the broom provided if the stage is littered during a routine.

Awards will be given to the top 12 contestants in each division. If less than 10 participants compete in that division awards will be given to the top 3. Possible working contracts, and scholarship opportunities.

Participants’ application(s) for registration are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close when a venue has reached its maximum capacity. Any additional applications must be registered to the Waiting List for that venue. If additional space becomes available, applications on the Waiting List will be processed in the order in which they were received. If you are on the Wait List – payment is not required and will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: placement on the Waiting List does not guarantee registration. However, YBM will do it’s best to accommodate all participants.

• All updates, including TBD entries, MUST be received no later than by 2PM (Eastern Standard Time, USA) on the WEDNESDAY preceding the competition weekend. Failure to update the information by the deadline may compromise the judge's’ ability to properly evaluate the student’s performance, jeopardize the tech team’s ability to accommodate the performance, and compromise the way the student’s performance is announced during the competition.

• Deadline for music submission (or music changes) is TWO WEEKS prior to the competition.

We are committed to providing performance and training opportunities to talented dancers, regardless of financial background. If you wish to participate in YBM but are experiencing financial hardship, please contact us so we can do our best to assist you. Please contact the Financial office at admin@youthballetmasters.org for assistance with these questions.

All checks returned for insufficient funds will be assessed with a $35.00 fee.

Refunds are issued only in the event of an injury, not including the non-refundable processing fee of $50. In the event of an injury, YBM should be notified immediately, no later than one week prior to the competition date by the contestant, parent, or a teacher via email. All emails notifying YBM of a withdrawal due to injury must be sent to admin@youthballetmasters.org. All refund requests must be accompanied by an official note from a physician, including ink signature, doctor’s stamp and office letterhead. 

• Contestants will be judged by a panel of competent judges, and all entrants agree that the time, manner, and method of judging the contest shall be solely within the discretion of the directors and producers of The Youth Ballet Masters and that all decisions of the judges are final.

• Master Classes with the YBM jury members are an integral part of the YBM experience and part of our educational mission. Master Classes are included in the Registration Fees. It is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged to take advantage of this valuable part of the YBM Competition. Not attending will not affect a participant’s score or standing with YBM.

• Parents are not permitted to observe Master Classes due to space constraints in studios.

• We expect all participants to be clean and respectful of the theatre and the University campus. As per theatre regulations, parents and participants are not permitted to congregate in adjacent areas around the theatre. Only where the Youth Ballet Masters has secured space for the competition. If studios, parents or participants are found to be disrespectful, they will be charged an additional custodial fee.

• Contestants and studio/team staff by virtue of entering The YBM Competition event give their permission and consent to the directors of The YBM Competition to use their images or photographs or appear in videos, television, or any other electronic media for advertising, news coverage or any other commercial use of our events.

• Sportsmanlike behavior is expected at all times onstage, backstage, and in the dressing rooms. Failure to display proper decorum for all participants and staff members could result in immediate disqualification.

• Video Taping AND Photography of any kind are prohibited. A professional videographer will be recording all performances of each studio’s routines available for purchase. 

• YBM reserves the right to make photo and/or video recordings at any time during any YBM event. This includes, but is not limited to, the recordings of master classes, participants’ rehearsals or performances during the competition, or any activities in the venue lobby or backstage. By participating in YBM, participants and their parents and/or legal guardians give their express permission for YBM to make any photo/video recordings at any time. Also, by participating in YBM, participants and their parents or legal guardians give YBM their express permission to use any such photo/video recordings (including those containing their name or likeness) for YBM promotional purposes (including any uses in print, online, or in social media).