1The theme of our competition is classical Chinese dance. Due to differences in perception of what classical Chinese dance is, the Organizing Committee would like to make the following clarifications:

1. The judging criteria will focus on authentic classical Chinese dance movements in both the dance routine selected and the set of required techniques and movements.Please pay special attention to the bearing and form that are characteristic of classical Chinese dance.
2. Classical Chinese dance is distinct from ballet or modern dance. It is also different from the techniques and movements in Chinese opera, or set movements in martial arts.
3. Although modern dance contains movements and techniques from classical Chinese dance, it does not contain the traditional aesthetics of classical Chinese dance.
4. Please do not depict animals or other lower life forms during the Individual Choice performance.

2The dance routine includes solo, duet, or trio dances [1]. It will be between 2 and 3.5 minutes long.

3In addition to the dance routine, the contestants will also perform 1.5–2.5 minutes of a required set of techniques or 1.5–2.5 minutes of an individual choice set of techniques and movements (showing leaps, turns, flips, and control techniques) [2].

Note [1]: Participant who perform duet or trio dance can invite his/her own partner(s) to participate in the performance. If the partner himself/herself wants to participate in the competition, he/she also need to formally register.

Note [2]: The required movement skills must use Bearing (身韵 shēnyùn) and Form (身法 shēnfǎ) as connection actions. According to Shen Yun's website, poses and movements comprise the vocabulary of the dance Form, and the Bearing is the manner for expressing inner feelings through “form”. In addition to a set of required basic skills of classical Chinese dance, con-testants can select their specialty movements displaying their unique styles to perform as an individual choice set.

4For the Preliminary, the contestants will perform a dance routine and a required set of techniques & movements.

5For the Semi-finals and Finals, the contestants may perform a different dance routine and a different required set of techniques & movements.

6Required set of techniques and movements:
Male: Please refer to the Chinese text for accurate terms for the required Leaps, Turns, Flips, and Control techniques
Female: Please refer to the Chinese text for accurate terms for the required Leaps, Turns, Flips, and Control techniques