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 Repertoire Masterclasses Friday 13 August 2027 - Arnold Street Studios , Cheltenham
Saturday ABC Training Experience Saturday 14 August 2027 - Adult Ballet Centre classes , at Arnold Street Studios ,Cheltenham
AABC Adult Ballet Competition Sunday 15 August 2027 — Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale
Minimum age18 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:
Every competitor pays the Dancer Registration Fee once.
The dancer then adds the applicable fee for each performance they enter.
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. 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?
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.
Who can enter AABC 2027?
AABC 2027 is open to:
Adult dancers aged 18 and ove
Non professional ballet and contemporary dancers
Adults entering their first dance competition
Experienced adult performers
Dancers returning after a break
Dancers with previous vocational, pre-professional or professional training
Independent dancers and dancers training with other schools or teachers
There is no upper age limit.
Dancers do not need to train at Adult Ballet Centre to enter. Every entrant must select the division that best reflects their current training and previous dance experience.
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:
Classical ballet or contemporary solo
Original or devised choreography suited to the dancer
Maximum duration of 2 minutes
Classical repertoire variations are not permitted in the Foundation Division
Pointe work is not permitted n the Foundation Division
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
May or may not be training en pointe
Development performance requirements:
Classical ballet or contemporary solo
Original choreography or a carefully selected variation
Maximum duration of 3 minutes
Pointe work is optional and should be approved by the dancer’s teacher or coach
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:
Classical ballet or contemporary solo
Original choreography or suitable classical repertoire
Maximum duration of 3 minutes
Pointe work is optional and must follow safe dance practice
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 questions
Is AABC 2027 only for professional dancers?
No. AABC welcomes adult recreational dancers, first-time competitors, returning dancers and experienced performers. Entrants compete within the division that reflects their training and experience.
Can an adult beginner enter the ballet competition?
Yes. The Foundation Division has been created for adult dancers generally within their first one to three years of consistent training. Foundation choreography must be appropriate to the dancer’s current ability.
Do I have to perform en pointe?
No. Pointe work is not required. Foundation dancers perform in flat ballet shoes. Development and Advanced/Open dancers may perform en pointe where appropriate and approved by their teacher or coach.
How much does it cost to enter?
Every competitor pays one $195 Dancer Registration Fee plus their selected performance fee. Total competition costs begin at $270 for a group-only dancer and $380 for a solo-only dancer.
Can I enter only a group performance?
Yes. A group-only competitor pays the $195 Dancer Registration Fee plus the $75 group performance fee, for a total of $270.
Do I pay the registration fee for every performance?
No. The Dancer Registration Fee is paid once. You then pay the relevant fee for each performance entered.
Does every member of a group need to register?
Yes. Every pas de deux, duo, trio or group performer must complete an individual registration and pay the applicable fees.
Can I enter more than one performance?
Yes. Registered dancers may enter more than one solo, pas de deux, duo, trio or group performance, subject to event capacity.
How do I choose my competition division?
Choose the division that best reflects your current training, technical experience and previous dance background. Ask your teacher or coach for guidance or request placement assistance during registration.
Is there an upper age limit?
No. AABC is open to adult dancers aged 18 and over, with no upper age limit. Dancers aged 60 and over will also be recognised within the AABC Masters category.
Can I attend the masterclasses without competing?
Yes. Eligible adult dancers can book the Friday Repertoire Masterclass, Saturday ABC Training Experience or combined Training Pass without entering Sunday’s competition.
Where is the adult ballet competition held?
The competition will be held at Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Road, Parkdale, Melbourne, Victoria. Friday and Saturday training will be held at Arnold Street Studio -Adult Ballet Centre in Cheltenham.
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