OWN THE STAGE.
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SUNDAY · NOVEMBER 15 · 2026
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON · MONTRÉAL
WIN YOUR WAY TO MIAMI.
Take the stage at the Montreal Heels Festival and compete for an unforgettable opportunity to continue your journey in Miami.
1 FLIGHT TO MIAMI
The 1st-place Amateur Heels Solo winner will receive one flight to Miami.
1 FULL PASS
Plus one Full Pass to experience the Miami Heels Festival.
MIAMI HEELS FESTIVAL
COMPETE HERE. WIN YOUR WAY THERE.
THE TEAM BEHIND THE STAGE.
Meet the team helping bring the Montreal Heels Festival competition experience to life.
RAJANNE
ALEXANDRE RACINE
HOW TO
COMPETE.
Whether you're competing solo, with a partner or with a team, start by choosing the category that matches your level and competition format. Then complete your registration and get ready to bring your work to the Montreal Heels Festival stage.
CHOOSE YOUR
CATEGORY
Review the competition categories and choose the division that best matches your level, status and performance format.
COMPLETE YOUR
REGISTRATION
Register online, select your competition category or categories and complete the applicable registration fees.
GET READY
FOR THE STAGE
Prepare your choreography, music, costume and presentation, and make sure you understand the competition rules before taking the stage.
MONTREAL
TAKE YOUR PLACE
ON STAGE.
Already know your category? Register now. Need help choosing? Explore the divisions first.
FIND YOUR CATEGORY.
Choose the category that best represents how you will compete. Select a category below to explore the available competition entries.
Heels are required.
All dance styles. Heels are not required.
Minimum age at the time of competition.
AMATEUR
- Amateur Heels Solo Female
- Amateur Heels Solo Male
- Amateur Heels Female Same-Gender
- Amateur Heels Male Same-Gender
- Amateur Heels Mixed-Gender
- Amateur Open Solo Female
- Amateur Open Solo Male
- Amateur Open Female Same-Gender
- Amateur Open Male Same-Gender
- Amateur Open Mixed-Gender
PROFESSIONAL
- Professional Heels Solo Female
- Professional Heels Solo Male
- Professional Heels Female Same-Gender
- Professional Heels Male Same-Gender
- Professional Heels Mixed-Gender
- Professional Open Female Same-Gender
- Professional Open Male Same-Gender
- Professional Open Mixed-Gender
TEAMS
- Heels Amateur Team Mixed-Gender
- Heels Pro-Am Ladies Team
- Heels Pro-Am Men’s Team
- Heels Pro-Am Team Mixed-Gender
- Heels Professional Ladies Team
- Heels Professional Men’s Team
- Heels Professional Team Mixed-Gender
- Open Amateur Ladies Team
- Open Amateur Men’s Team
- Open Amateur Team Mixed-Gender
- Open Pro-Am Ladies Team
- Open Pro-Am Men’s Team
- Open Pro-Am Team Mixed-Gender
- Open Professional Ladies Team
- Open Professional Men’s Team
- Open Professional Team Mixed-Gender
PRO-AM FEMALE
- Heels Pro-Am Female
- Heels Pro-Am Female Same-Gender
- Open Pro-Am Female
- Open Pro-Am Female Same-Gender
PRO-AM MALE
- Heels Pro-Am Male
- Heels Pro-Am Male Same-Gender
- Open Pro-Am Male
- Open Pro-Am Male Same-Gender
YOU KNOW WHERE YOU BELONG. NOW TAKE THE STAGE.
KNOW YOUR CATEGORY.
Not sure where you fit? Use this guide to understand competitor classifications, performance formats and dance-style requirements.
A grouping based on factors such as a dancer’s skill level, partnership type, group size, or age. Categories organize competitors to ensure fair and structured participation by matching individuals or groups with similar experience or characteristics.
WHO & HOW
01 PRO-AM LADIES
A category in which a professional dancer (Pro) partners with a female amateur dancer (Am). The amateur competitor is judged on her dancing, skill development, and performance quality. The professional partner is not judged.
02 PRO-AM MEN
A category in which a professional dancer (Pro) partners with a male amateur dancer (Am). The amateur competitor is judged on his dancing, skill development, and performance quality. The professional partner is not judged.
03 AMATEUR
An amateur dancer has not competed at the professional level or participated as the professional partner in a Pro-Am competition. An amateur dancer does not receive compensation for teaching or performing.
04 PROFESSIONAL
A professional dancer receives compensation for teaching, performing, or choreographing. Once a dancer competes in the Professional category, they are no longer eligible to compete as an Amateur.
05 SOLO
A category in which one dancer performs individually without a partner. The routine highlights the dancer’s technique, creativity, musicality, performance quality, and stage presence.
06 DUET
A category in which the routine is performed by two dancers. The performance highlights the dancers’ individual skills, connection, synchronization, musicality, and stage presence.
07 TRIO
A category in which the routine is performed by three dancers. The performance highlights the dancers’ individual skills, connection, synchronization, formations, and stage presence.
08 MIXED-GENDER
A category or division in which dancers of different sexes or gender identities perform together as partners or as part of a group.
09 TEAMS
A group category in which four or more dancers perform together. Team routines may incorporate synchronized choreography, formations, transitions, and creative elements that showcase group dynamics and stage presence.
WHAT YOU DANCE
01 HEELS DANCE
A performance style danced in heels that may incorporate elements of ballet, jazz, hip hop, commercial dance, burlesque, and sensual movement.
Emphasis is placed on technique, confidence, musicality, lines, movement quality, and stage presence.
02 OPEN DIVISION
Open to all levels, dance genres, and styles unless otherwise specified.
YOUR STYLE. YOUR CHOICE.
Open divisions welcome all dance styles, including hip-hop, contemporary, Latin, jazz, commercial dance, or a fusion of styles.
Dancers may perform in the dance style and footwear of their choice. Heels are not required.
HOW WILL YOUR PERFORMANCE BE JUDGED?
HOW YOU'LL BE JUDGED.
Every performance is evaluated across four core areas for a total possible score of 100 points.
TECHNIQUE
HEELS TECHNIQUE & CONTROL
- Balance, posture, alignment, and weight placement in heels
- Clean execution of walks, transitions, and floorwork where applicable
- Precision, stability, and control of movement
- Safe technique and consistency throughout the routine
MUSICALITY
- Timing, rhythm accuracy, and musical phrasing
- Use of accents, hits, tempo changes, and dynamic contrast
- Movement choices that reflect and complement the music
CHOREOGRAPHY
COMPOSITION & CREATIVITY
- Clear structure and progression throughout the routine
- Variety of movement vocabulary, levels, textures, and dynamics
- Creative transitions and strong choreographic choices
- Heels-specific vocabulary used intentionally where applicable
STAGE USE & FORMATIONS
- Effective use of space, pathways, and directions
- Formations and pattern changes that add visual impact in duet, trio, and group performances
- Smooth and purposeful transitions
PERFORMANCE
STAGE PRESENCE & CONFIDENCE
- Projection, charisma, confidence, and command of the stage
- Strong and consistent performance quality from start to finish
EXPRESSION & INTERPRETATION
- Emotional connection, storytelling, and clarity of theme
- Facial expressions and body expression that support the choreography
CONNECTION WITH THE AUDIENCE
- Ability to engage the audience and create a memorable performance
TEAMWORK — DUET, TRIO & GROUP CATEGORIES
- Unity, synchronization, spacing, awareness, and group chemistry
DIFFERENT STYLE. SAME STANDARD.
In the Open divisions, all dance styles are welcome, including hip-hop, contemporary, Latin, jazz, commercial dance, or a fusion of styles.
This division encourages freedom of expression and individuality, allowing dancers to perform in the dance style and footwear of their choice. Heels are not required.
KNOW THE RULES. OWN THE STAGE.
KNOW THE RULES.
Review the competition requirements before registering. These rules apply to all Montreal Heels Festival competitors.
Competitors must be at least 18 years old at the time of the competition.
All registered competitors must purchase a Competitor Pass.
Competition entry fees are non-refundable except when a division is cancelled by the Montreal Heels Festival.
COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS
Select a section to review the complete requirements.
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ELIGIBILITY
DIVISION ENTRIES & FEES
Competition entry fees are non-refundable, except when a division is cancelled by the Montreal Heels Festival.
All registered competitors must purchase a Competitor Pass.
If a division receives fewer than three entries, the Montreal Heels Festival reserves the right to cancel the division or combine it with another appropriate division.
If a division is cancelled, the entry fee will be refunded. If divisions are combined, the entry fee will be applied to the merged division.
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PRESENTATION
HEELS, ATTIRE & COSTUMES
As this is a Heels dance competition, competitors are encouraged to embrace the technique, style, confidence, musicality, and performance qualities associated with Heels dance.
Competitors are encouraged to wear costumes or coordinated performance outfits. Costumes should be tasteful and appropriate for the event.
Nudity is strictly prohibited. Costume and overall appearance may be considered as part of the presentation score.
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STAGE
PROPS & STAGE SAFETY
Props are permitted, except for dangerous or hazardous items. The total time required to set up and remove props must not exceed two minutes.
Competitors are responsible for leaving the stage clean and clear following their performance. For safety reasons, props may not exceed six feet in height.
Confetti and feathers are not permitted. Please notify the festival in advance if your routine includes props.
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TIMING
ROUTINE DURATION
Mixed Gender or Same Gender
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AUDIO
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
A maximum of three songs may be incorporated into one competition routine.
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OFFICIAL DECISIONS
JUDGING AUTHORITY
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AGREEMENT
PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
By registering for the competition, participants acknowledge and accept the Montreal Heels Festival competition rules and agree to abide by the decisions of the festival organizers and judges.
Participants acknowledge that competition scores and results may be made publicly available following the event.
By participating, competitors authorize the Montreal Heels Festival to photograph, film, record, reproduce, publish, and use images and video captured during the event for promotional, marketing, social media, and other festival-related purposes.
READ IT. KNOW IT. RESPECT IT.
Registration confirms your acceptance of the competition rules and the decisions of the festival organizers and judges.
REGISTER. SECURE YOUR SPOT.
SECURE YOUR SPOT.
Competition registration and the Competitor Pass are two separate transactions. Complete both to compete at the Montreal Heels Festival.
Registering for a competition category does not include your Competitor Pass. The two purchases are completed separately.
THE EARLIER YOU REGISTER, THE BETTER.
Available until September 5, 2026
Available until October 15, 2026
Registration closes November 14, 2026
FOUR STEPS. ONE STAGE.
REGISTER TO COMPETE.
Register online through EventTabs for the Montreal Heels Festival Dance Competition.
- Choose your competition categories.
- Pay the applicable registration fee for each category.
- Complete and submit your competition registration.
SEND YOUR PROOF.
After registering, email proof of your competition registration to:
montrealheelsfestival@gmail.comRECEIVE YOUR CODE.
Your Competitor Pass promo code will be sent to the email address used to submit your proof of registration.
PURCHASE YOUR PASS.
Use your promo code to purchase your mandatory Competitor Pass through Eventbrite.
PURCHASE COMPETITOR PASS ↗MORE THAN COMPETITION.
The Competitor Pass grants access to Montreal Heels Festival activities throughout the weekend.
Bootcamps are not included with the Competitor Pass and require separate registration.
All competition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.