A solo contemporary dance, one dancer using fluid, expressive movement to tell a story or mood, judged on technique, expression and musicality.
Solo contemporary dance is one dancer performing a prepared piece that blends ideas from modern, lyrical and ballet-influenced movement. Compared with the rhythmic and upbeat solo classes, the emphasis moves from speed and beat-matching to flow, weight, control and feeling. A good piece usually has a clear idea behind it, such as a mood, a story or a response to the music, and every phrase should serve that idea.
A round normally runs as a single prepared routine. The dancer takes a starting shape, the music begins, and the piece moves through floor work, turns, balances, extensions, jumps and moments of stillness, often with a slow build towards one peak and a quiet ending. Music is usually instrumental or lyrical and slower than in an upbeat class, which leaves nowhere to hide: the panel can see every line, every landing and every wobble, and also notices whether the dancer connects with the audience.
On eTalenter the item is carried by two talent templates in the Dance category: a junior template for ages 7 to 12 (five-minute limit, marked out of 5) and an international teen template for ages 13 to 19 (no time limit printed, rated out of 10 with a maximum of 5). In both it is an individual item, open to both genders, in English. Small group and large group contemporary dance are listed separately in the teen template.
Organisers like it because it gives quieter, more reflective dancers a place to shine beside the energetic solo classes, needs no props or large costume budget, and gives the panel a clear way to compare technique and artistry in a single performance.
Where Solo Contemporary Dance is run
On eTalenter this item is carried by two talent templates: a junior talent template and an international teen talent template. Contemporary dance classes appear in school concerts, dance festivals, youth talent programmes and community showcases in many countries, but this page records only the templates that carry the item, so organisers should check their own notice for the time limit, music rules, age bands and judging headings.
- United States
- Worldwide
Key facts
- Individual item: one dancer performing a prepared contemporary piece
- Two templates carry it: junior (ages 7-12) and international teens (13-19)
- Only the junior template prints a time limit: five minutes
- Marked out of 5 (junior) and as a rating out of 10 with a maximum of 5 (teen)
- Open to both genders; English-language programmes in both templates
- Small group and large group contemporary dance are separate classes with their own results
On eTalenter, Solo Contemporary Dance is filed under Dance and typically scored with Marks, Rating out of 10. It appears in 2 ready-made event templates — each one can adjust its time limit, age-group assignment and scoring setup independently.
Across the templates that use it, Solo Contemporary Dance is most often entered as an Individual competition, typically scored out of 5, commonly time-limited to around 5 minutes where a limit is set.
What judges look at in Solo Contemporary Dance
What a Solo Contemporary Dance panel is actually weighing up, and where the marks are usually won or lost:
- Technique and control: balanced turns, secure landings, extended lines and steady transitions between floor work and standing movement
- Expression and emotional connection: movement that carries a mood or story, supported by face, head and eye line, not just the limbs
- Musicality: phrasing that follows the shape of the music, using its builds, pauses and changes rather than counting beats mechanically
- Choreography: a clear idea with a beginning, development and ending, and variety of levels, directions and dynamics
- Use of space and presence: travelling across the stage, facing the panel at key moments and holding stillness with intent
- Flow and fluidity: movement that links smoothly instead of a series of separate poses
- Discipline: a piece that fits the time limit and is fully rehearsed so nerves do not break the line
Treat these as the judging focus, not a fixed rubric: publish your own weighted criteria for Solo Contemporary Dance under Scoring Setup, or start from the full dance judging criteria guide.
How to prepare for Solo Contemporary Dance
How entrants and their teachers usually get Solo Contemporary Dance right on the day:
- Choose music with room to breathe and decide what the piece is about before any steps are made; a clear idea makes the choreography easier to remember and to watch
- Build the piece in short phrases and polish transitions as carefully as the big moves, since contemporary work is judged on how steps link
- Practise slow balances, controlled turns and floor work separately, because slow movement exposes weak core strength quickly
- Rehearse on the same kind of floor surface as the venue and in the intended footwear or bare feet, to avoid surprises on the day
- Film a run-through and watch the face and hands as well as the feet; flat or unfocused expression is a common lost mark
- Mark the stage map so the best moments face the panel, and rehearse the opening shape and final stillness until they are automatic
- Time each run-through against the limit and trim a phrase rather than rushing the steps
- Bring the music on two devices or formats and confirm how it will be played at the venue
Frequently asked questions
Is Solo Contemporary Dance judged individually or as a team?
Across eTalenter's templates it's most often run as an Individual entry, though an organiser can set either participation type when assigning the item to an age group.
What is the difference between contemporary dance and rhythmic or upbeat dance?
The templates list them as separate classes with their own results. Rhythmic dance puts timing first and upbeat dance puts energy first, while contemporary dance leans on flow, expression and control. Check your own notice for the exact judging headings.
How long can a solo contemporary dance be?
The junior template prints a five-minute limit. The teen template prints no limit, so organisers should publish one and dancers should rehearse to it.
Does contemporary dance need ballet training?
The templates do not require any particular training or style. Many contemporary routines borrow from ballet, lyrical and modern technique, but the notice for your event sets the rules.
Can a dancer use a coach for choreography?
The templates do not say who creates the routine. Many organisers allow a teacher or coach to help, so check your notice for any rule on choreography.
Want the full judging picture? Read the full dance judging criteria guide, or browse every dance competition item.
Try Solo Contemporary Dance in eTalenter
See every ready-made template that runs Solo Contemporary Dance, and install one as a live event — age groups, rules and scoring included.
