AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027 Melbourne

The AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027 is a three-day adult ballet and contemporary dance event in Melbourne, Australia, presented by Adult Ballet Centre Melbourne.

Adult dancers aged 18 and over can enter classical ballet and contemporary solos, pas de deux or duos, trios and group performances across Foundation, Development and Advanced/Open divisions.

Whether this is your first adult dance competition, your next performance goal or your return to the stage following previous vocational training, AABC offers a professionally presented and supportive competition experience created specifically for adult dancers.

AABC 2027 at a glance

Festival event Date and locations

Friday 13 August: Repertoire Masterclasses - Studio 6 Mock Performance & feedback sessions. Arnold Street Studios , Cheltenham

Saturday 14 August: ABC Training Experience Saturday 14 August 2027 - Adult Ballet Centre classes. Arnold Street Studios ,Cheltenham

Sunday 15 August: AABC Adult Dancers Competition 2027. Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale

Minimum age 18 years Entries close 1 July 2027, or earlier if capacity is reached

Competition entries: Solos, pas de deux, duos, trios and groups

Competition venue: Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Road, Parkdale, Melbourne, Victoria 3195.

Adult ballet competition entry fees

AABC uses a two-part pricing structure:

1. Every competitor pays the Dancer Registration Fee once.

2. The dancer then adds the applicable fee for each performance they enter and experience they wish to embrace.

This means soloists pay for individual stage and adjudication time, while dancers sharing a pas de deux, trio or group performance pay a reduced performance fee.

Dancer Registration Fee - $195 per dancer

Every competitor pays one $195 Dancer Registration Fee, regardless of how many performances they enter.

The registration fee includes:

• Individual competitor registration

• Onstage warm-up class

• Competitor accreditation

• Backstage and theatre access for the dancer’s scheduled session

• Participant certificate

• Music and program administration

• Competition administration

• Compulsory platform and payment-processing charges

The Dancer Registration Fee does not include a performance entry or studio experiences. Every competitor must enter at least one solo, pas de deux, duo, trio or group performance.

Performance entry fees

Performance type Fee

• Classical ballet or contemporary solo $185 per dancer

• Pas de deux or duo $120 per dancer

• Trio $100 per dancer

• Group of 4–8 dancers $75 per dancer

Each performance fee includes:

• Competition stage time

• Professional adjudication

• Feedback for the entered performance

• Placement within the appropriate competition section

Every performer in a pas de deux, duo, trio or group must complete an individual dancer registration and pay the applicable performance fee.

What will my competition entry cost?

Example Dancer’s entries

• Total Group performance $270

• Trio $295

• Pas de deux or duo $315

• Solo $380

• Solo plus one group performance $455

• Solo plus one trio $480

• Solo plus one pas de deux or duo $500

The $195 Dancer Registration Fee is paid once.

Dancers entering more than one performance then pay the applicable fee for each piece.

All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST and compulsory charges. There will be no additional mandatory platform fee at checkout.

Audience tickets will be released separately, to all registered participants and to the dance organisations, family and friends.

ELIGIBILITY

AABC is open to adult dancers who will be 18 years or older on the competition date. There is no upper age limit.

Eligible entrants include:

• Recreational adult dancers

• First-time competitors

• Independent dancers

• Dancers returning after a break

• Experienced adult performers

• Full-time or vocational dance students aged 18 or over

• Dancers with previous pre-professional or professional experience

• Dancers who train at any dance school or with any teacher

Dancers currently employed as full-time professional company members or engaged under a regular professional dance performance contract are not eligible.

AABC reserves the right to request further information before confirming eligibility or division placement.

Choose your competition division

AABC divisions are based primarily on the dancer’s current training, technical experience and previous dance background, not age alone.

Consider:

• Your current and recent training

• The frequency of your weekly classes

• Your confidence with centre work

• The technical complexity of your choreography

• Your performance and competition experience

• Any previous vocational, pre-professional or professional training

We recommend discussing your division with your teacher or coach.

If you are uncertain, you can request placement guidance during registration. AABC may contact you or your teacher before confirming your division.

Foundation Division

The Foundation Division is designed for adult dancers generally completing their first one to three years of consistent training and beginning to develop performance confidence.

Foundation dancers will usually:

• Understand fundamental ballet or contemporary vocabulary

• Participate confidently in a structured class

• Be developing control in centre work and linking steps

• Be beginning to explore basic turns and allegro

• Have limited competition or performance experience

Foundation performance requirements:

• Must perform a devised classical ballet choreography suited to their current ability.

• May enter classical ballet or contemporary dance.

• Must perform classical work in flat ballet shoes.

• May not perform a traditional classical repertoire variation.

• Have a maximum solo duration of upto 2.30 minutes.

• Choreography should highlight the dancer’s musicality, artistry and current technical strengths.

Development Division

The Development Division is designed for recreational adult dancers with approximately four to eight years of training or an equivalent level of technical development.

Development dancers will usually:

• Have an established understanding of ballet or contemporary technique

• Be confident at the barre and increasingly secure in centre work

• Be developing pirouettes, adage, allegro and longer combinations

• Train consistently

• Have some performance experience

Development dancers:

• Must perform a Traditional Classical Ballet Variation suited to their current ability.

• May enter classical ballet or contemporary dance.

• Must perform classical work in flat ballet shoes.

• Have a maximum solo duration of 2.30 minutes.

Advanced/Open Division

The Advanced/Open Division is designed for highly experienced adult dancers with advanced recreational training or previous vocational, pre-professional or professional experience.

Advanced/Open dancers will usually:

• Demonstrate strong technical understanding and musicality

• Be confident with complex centre work and extended choreography

• Have substantial training or performance experience

• Demonstrate mature artistry and performance quality

• May perform en pointe where appropriate

Advanced/Open performance requirements:

• May perform original choreography in the Contemporary section or suitable Traditional Classical Ballet Variation

• May perform in flat shoes or en pointe.

• Must disclose relevant previous vocational or professional experience.

• Have a maximum solo duration of 2.30 minutes.

Where necessary, AABC may contact the dancer or their teacher and recommend a different division before the final program is issued.

Previous vocational, pre-professional or professional experience must be disclosed during registration. A separate Former Vocational/Professional section may be created where entry numbers support it.

Adult dancer age categories

A dancer’s age will be recorded as at the competition date:

• 18–25 years

• 26–35 years

• 36–45 years

• 46–59 years

• 60 years and over

Dancers aged 60 and over will also be recognised within the AABC Masters category.

Age categories may be combined where entry numbers are low. Any combined section will retain the dancers’ nominated experience division and support equitable adjudication.

Final competition sections will be confirmed after entries close.

Competition performance sections

Classical Ballet

Classical ballet entries may include:

• Original choreography created for the dancer

• A suitable classical variation where permitted

• Pointe or flat-shoe performances, subject to division requirements

Choreography should be technically appropriate and allow the dancer to demonstrate musicality, artistry and quality of movement.

Contemporary Dance

Contemporary entries may include:

• Original choreography

• Contemporary repertoire appropriate to the dancer

• Interpretive or narrative works

• Approved music, sound design or voice-over

Adjudication will consider movement quality, musicality, interpretation and individual artistry.

Pas de Deux and Duos

Pas de deux and duo entries may be classical or contemporary and must involve two registered adult dancers.

Adjudication will consider:

• Partnership and coordination

• Musicality and interpretation

• Safe and appropriate partnering

• Performance quality

Both dancers must meet the AABC eligibility requirements.

Trios and Groups

Trios and groups may perform classical ballet, contemporary dance or another approved dance style.

• A trio consists of three dancers

• A group consists of four to eight dancers

• Maximum performance duration is 5 minutes

• Every performer must be aged 18 or over

• Every performer must complete an individual registration

Where performers have different levels of experience, the entry should be placed in the division of the most experienced dancer.

Adult-specific adjudication

Performances will be assessed in relation to the dancer’s nominated experience division.

The adjudicators will consider:

• Technical understanding and quality of movement

• Musicality

• Artistry and interpretation

• Choreographic suitability

• Performance and presentation

• Individual development

AABC adjudication has been designed specifically for adult dancers. Entrants will be recognised for their artistry, commitment and development within the appropriate experience division, not assessed against the physical or vocational expectations applied to children or full-time students.

Final awards and competition sections will be confirmed after entries close and all performances have been programmed.

Complete the AABC festival weekend

Friday and Saturday training experiences can be added to a competition registration or booked independently by eligible adult dancers.

Friday Repertoire Masterclass - $65

Join a two-hour repertoire masterclass led by an experienced guest artist.

Three levels will be offered, subject to registrations:

• Foundation

• Development

• Advanced/Open

Date: Friday 13 July, 2027
Location: Adult Ballet Centre, Cheltenham
Guest artist and times: To be announced

Places will be limited to preserve the quality of the coaching experience.

BOOK THE FRIDAY REPERTOIRE MASTERCLASS Opening soon.

Saturday ABC Training Experience - $65

Visiting dancers can experience Adult Ballet Centre by joining two eligible classes from the Saturday timetable.

Date: Saturday 14 August, 2027
Location: Adult Ballet Centre, Factory 6, 3–5 Arnold Street, Cheltenham, Melbourne
Included: Two eligible Adult Ballet Centre classes

Class selection will be based on experience, suitability and availability. Dancers can request level-placement guidance when registering.

BOOK THE SATURDAY ABC TRAINING EXPERIENCE Opening soon

Friday and Saturday Training Pass - $130

Attend both the Friday Repertoire Masterclass and the Saturday ABC Training Experience for $130.

Dancers do not need to compete on Sunday to participate in the Friday or Saturday training experiences.

BOOK THE AABC TRAINING PASS Opening soon

What to prepare before registering

Please have the following information ready FOR WHEN ENTRIES OPEN: If you have pre registered your intrest you will recieve notification as soon as we open the portal for enrolment and participation.

• Full name and contact details

• Date of birth

• Current dance school, teacher or coach, if applicable

• Current training level and weekly training pattern

• Approximate years of ballet or contemporary training

• Previous vocational, pre-professional or professional experience

• Selected competition division

• Performance type, title and duration

• Choreographer or repertoire details

• Names of pas de deux, duo, trio or group performers

• Emergency-contact information

• Relevant accessibility requirements

• Friday and Saturday selections, if attending

Music will be submitted separately by [MUSIC SUBMISSION DATE TBA]. File-format and naming instructions will be supplied following registration.

How to enter the adult ballet competition

Step 1 - Complete your dancer registration

Provide your individual dancer and training information and pay the $195 Dancer Registration Fee.

Step 2 - Select your first performance

Choose a classical ballet solo, contemporary solo, pas de deux, duo, trio or group performance.

Step 3 - Add further performances

Pay the applicable performance fee for each additional piece you wish to enter.

Step 4 - Add festival training

Choose the Friday Repertoire Masterclass, Saturday ABC Training Experience or combined Training Pass.

Step 5 - Review and pay

Check your division, performance entries and dancer information before completing payment.

Your place is confirmed only after payment has been successfully processed and you have received an AABC confirmation email.

You will then receive your digital - AABC festival welcome booklet.

Important competition conditions

By registering, each entrant confirms that:

• They will be at least 18 years old on the competition date

• Their nominated division accurately reflects their training and experience

• Their choreography is appropriate to their technical ability

• Any pointe or partnering work has been approved by an appropriate teacher or coach

• They have read and accepted the 2027 AABC Competition Guide

• They understand that sections may be combined according to entry numbers

• They will follow all music, costume, backstage and theatre requirements

• They understand the published cancellation, refund and transfer conditions

• They will participate within their own physical capacity

AABC may contact an entrant or their teacher where clarification is required and may recommend a more appropriate division before the final program is issued.

Frequently asked questio

Questions about entering?

If you are uncertain about your division, performance section or festival registration, contact the AABC Festival team before submitting your entry.

Email: contact@adultballetcentre.com
Telephone: 61+ (0) 422 070 674

We look forward to welcoming adult ballet and contemporary dancers from Melbourne, regional Victoria, interstate Australia and across Australasia to AABC 2027.

Train. Perform. Connect. Be recognised.

Presented by Adult Ballet Centre Melbourne and KingstonArts

Supported by Australian Institue of Classical Dance

REGISTER FOR AABC 2027 Opening soon