2014 BDOY Judges

The 2014 panel will be announced on or before April 1, 2014. BDOY judges graciously volunteer their time and expertise. All judges are carefully selected based on their experience, knowledge, and standing within the belly dance community. BDOY would not be possible without them! The 2014 judging guidelines are listed below.

JUDGING GUIDELINES
Competitors are scored on a scale of 1 to 10 in six different categories.


Belly Dancer of the Year, Tribal Soloist of the Year, and Grand Dancer of the Year

APPEARANCE & COSTUMING
Consider artistry in terms of makeup and costume. How the dancer feels about his/her dance should be reflected in their attire. In the Belly Dancer of the Year category, which is limited to cabaret/raks sharki/folkloric styles, costuming runs the gamut from Bedouin styling and antique coins to rhinestones and high heels. In the Tribal Soloist category, costuming must be appropriate to ATS, ITS, or Tribal Fusion styles. The Grand Dancer category is open to cabaret/raks sharki/folkloric and Tribal styles. Overall, costuming should be appropriate to the style of belly dance that is performed.

PROFESSIONALISM
Consider stage presence and poise, as well as posture, facial expression, entrances and exits. Also consider how the dancer handles any mishaps.

TECHNIQUE & ABILITY
The dancer’s ease, gracefulness, transitions, variety of movements, and, most importantly, the quality of technique fall within this category.

ORIGINALITY
The dancer should have his/her own distinct style of dancing. He/she should use authentic movements with a style of his/her own. Use of props falls into this category.

MUSIC INTERPRETATION
Contestants choose their own music. Their choices are important in terms of how the music is used and how it is recorded to show off the dancing. Music should be relevant to dance style. He/she should move to the rhythm of the music and use the music effectively in terms of setting a mood. If used, finger cymbals fall into this category.

PERSONALITY
What is your gut reaction to the performance. How does this dancer appeal to you emotionally. Did you really enjoy watching the performance or was it technically very good, but boring to you as far as entertainment value was concerned?

Troupe of the Year and Tribal Ensemble of the Year

APPEARANCE & COSTUMING
Costuming should be individually attractive, and attractive as a whole. Costumes need to reflect the choreography, music and style. Makeup should add to the staging.

CHOREOGRAPHY & MUSIC
Music should be relevant to dance style. Good use should be made of breaks and rhythm changes. A simple piece of music, well choreographed, can be more interesting than a difficult piece of music that is poorly choreographed. Dancers need to move to the rhythm of the music and use the music effectively in terms of setting a mood. If used, finger cymbals fall into this category. Consider staging, formations, and music interpretation.

ORIGINALITY & VERSATILITY
The dancers, as a group, should have their own style. Variety of dance interpretation and pacing should be considered. Use of props falls into this category.

PRECISION DANCING
Do the dancers work as a group or are they performing more as individuals? Are they well rehearsed and together?

PROFESSIONALISM
Stage presence, posture, facial expressions, entrances and exits should be considered. Do the dancers conduct themselves professionally? Is there a feeling of group support?

TOTAL TROUPE PERFORMANCE
This category asks for your gut reaction to the performance, which has nothing to do with how good the dancers were technically, but has everything to do with the enjoyment factor and entertainment value.