What is Turning Point?
Turning Point is an exciting extension of the dance competition The Ultimate Dance Connection that celebrates the dance form of ballet. Anyone who has trained in dance knows that ballet is the most beautiful, artistic, and yet challenging of all dance forms. Because it is such a demanding dance form it usually misses out on receiving Overall Awards. Often adjudicators on judging panels do not have an adequate background in ballet so quality critiques are lacking.
Turning Point is the answer to the neglect that ballet suffers from in the competitive dance scene in Ontario.
* Specialized judges are brought in to give fair and astute critiques in this category
* TEN overall awards are reserved for ballet numbers alone. (see awards page for details)
* Division of levels that students compete at is determined by their level of dance in a ballet syllabus (R.A.D, Cecchetti or Russian) not by age, which often so misrepresents a dancers ability.
* FREE BALLET MASTER CLASSES are also offered during the course of the day, and are often taught by the adjudicators themselves
CLASSIFICATIONS
| Turning Point Level |
R.A.D. Equivalent |
Cecchetti Equivalent |
Russian Equivalent |
| The Nutcracker | Pre-primary | Pre-ballet (age 5) |
Pre-ballet (age 5) |
| Cinderella | Primary | Pre-ballet (age 6) | Level 1 |
| Sleeping Beauty | Grade One & Two | Grade One (approx age 6) | Level 2 |
| Coppelia | Grade Three | Grade Two | Level 3 |
| Swan Lake | Grade Four | Grade Three | Level 4 |
| Carmen | Grade 5 & Intermediate Foundations | Grade Four | Level 5 & 6 |
| Firebird | Grade 6,7,8 & Intermediate | Grade Five | Level 7, 8 & Pre-Elementary |
| Giselle | Advanced Foundations& Advanced 1 | Grade Six & Elementary | Elementary & Intermediate |
| Petrouchka | Advanced 2 | Intermediate | Advanced |
| La Sylphide | Novice Beginner Teens | Novice Beginner Teens | Novice Beginner Teens |
| Romeo & Juliet | Solo Seal | Advanced | Pre-Professional |
| Napoli | Professional | Professional | Professional |
Turning Point does not divide categories solely according to age so birth certificates are not necessary. We rely on the integrity of the teachers and the students who attend our festival to be honest about the level at which they are currently dancing. We trust that you will respect this facet of our competition and enter your students honestly in the appropriate category. Students should be entered in the dance level in which they are currently studying.
DANCE DISCIPLINE DEFINITIONS
CLASSICAL BALLET
Must include traditional classical ballet steps and movements
CONTEMPORARY
BALLET
Must consist of innovative and more modern based ballet technique
CLASSICAL POINTE
Most include traditional pointe technique in pointe shoes
CONTEMPORARY
POINTE
Must consist of innovative and more modern based pointe technique
DEMI CHARACTER
Must portray a character or theme using ballet technique
Please click on our Entry Forms page to find the Entry Form for Turning Point