Tekko 2025 Dance Competition

One of the few of its kind on the US convention circuit, the Tekko 2025 Dance Competition gives individuals and groups a chance to show off their skills in front of a crowd. If you love to dance, enjoy performing with your friends, or are driven by your desire to share one of your favorite artists with the world, this competition is for you!
 

Dance Competition Information

Timeline and Deadlines

January 17th: Applications open.
March 28th: Applications close at 11:59pm that night.
April 25th:  Applicants will receive notice of their acceptance or rejection from the competition along with the song they will be performing.
May 9th: Applicants must acknowledge their acceptance by this date. Failure to do so will be interpreted as the applicant rescinding their application to compete.
June 30th: Entrants must provide all audio files necessary for their performance.  Entrants must also confirm/accept all details by this date including names of performers, songs performed, etc.  No changes can be made after this date.
July 18th (tentative):  Competition rehearsal from 8 to 9am and the live competition later in the day!

Eligibility

You must have a valid Tekko 2025 badge to participate. Anyone found not to be registered will not be allowed to perform and/or disallowed from applying for Tekko 2026.

You must be 14 years or older to participate, and all minors (17 or younger) must either have signed parental permission to perform or have an adult member in their group or present at the rehearsal/event to claim responsibility for them. The adult must have their own badge registered.

Participation in this event does not bar you from participation in other Stage Uzume events, so please feel free to apply to as many as you would like!

Solo/Duo

1. Solo/duo performers may only participate in one act in each year’s Dance Competition, either performing on their own or in a group.
2. Solo/duo performers may not have backup dancers or any other assistance dance-wise while performing.

Groups

1. Groups may consist of any number of performers between two (2) and ten (10).
2. Groups may consist of equally important members or one or multiple performers with backup dancers. All performers regardless of role will be counted towards group size.
3. Applying groups affiliated with the same dance group, school, association, company, etc must apply using differing names from each other.  
   • Example: A university dance organization may split into smaller groups and apply separately, but must apply with different group names and may not share members between them.

Applying to the Competition

Application Process

1. Fill out the application form.
2. Stage Uzume staff will choose who will perform based on the audition videos/performances sent in.
   • Audition videos will not be shared with anyone outside of Stage Uzume staff.
3. Decisions on acceptance will be sent out within two weeks of the form’s closing.

Applications do not guarantee a spot in the show. If you are rejected, you are encouraged to apply again for Tekko 2025 and to apply to other events Stage Uzume is holding this year!  Read more about them at https://tekko.us/stage-uzume.

Audition Video Guidelines

1. Your main audition video must be at least 2 minutes long.
2. Any artist/song can be used to audition.
3. You must submit a link to your audition video and a link to the video you are dancing the choreography of, if applicable. The video of the artist’s choreography must be clear and viewable for the entire video with no cuts.
4. Your audition video should be a recent representation of you / your group’s current skill level. Any audition video from before July 2023 will not be accepted.
5. Everyone competing in a group must be present in the audition video. If you are competing individually, you should be the only one in the video.  If you don’t have a video that contains all members of your group, you may send multiple videos to cover everyone. Each video must be at least 2 minutes long.

Performance Song Choice Guidelines

1. On the application form, you must choose the top 3 songs you would like to perform at the live competition should you be accepted.  Please list them in order of preference.
2. Song choices must all be between 2:30 and 4:30 in length.  Make sure that is the length of the song exclusively!
3. Submitted songs may be from artists/choreographers within the mediums of J-music and K-music or inspired by those mediums. Due to the nature of this convention, it is required that one of your song choices must be within the medium of J-music or inspired by it. 
4. J-music songs may be by artists that primarily do J-music, or artists that are from other countries/industries that have had J-music releases or songs inspired by that medium. This can include artists like SHINee, BoA, etc.
5. In the case of applicants having the same song choices, priority will be first-come, first served.
6. Medleys are allowed as single “song choices”.  A medley as defined for this competition will be any combination of songs that have been mixed/combined into one single-length track not to exceed 4:30 in length.  It may be a mash-up/blend, have distinct cuts between songs, etc.  
   • You must note each song you are performing during the medley in your application.
   • In the case of another applicant choosing a full length version of a song as their first choice that is in someone else’s medley choice, Stage Uzume will give priority to the full-length applicant and inform the medley applicant ASAP so they can change their choice. Make sure your shifts between choreographies are clear!

Responsibilities of Performers

1. You must respond to emails that require confirmation or important information from you in a timely fashion.  If we cannot reach you for important information, you may be removed from the performance. If you know you will not be able to make a deadline, please communicate this ahead of time!
2. There will be a mandatory rehearsal the morning of the competition, tentatively scheduled for Friday from 8-9am. Details about the rehearsal will be communicated to you leading up to Tekko 2025. If you or your group fail to attend the rehearsal, you will not be permitted to perform in the actual competition.
3. You must be ready to perform on time.  Any performer/group which is not fully present 30 minutes before the competition starts will not be allowed to perform. The competition is usually held in the late afternoon/early evening.
4. You must present a good attitude as a performer to your fellow performers, the staff, and your audience. We have always promoted a positive environment between all of our competitors and judges, and would like to keep that environment this year and every year!  If you have any issues with the competition or anyone involved, you will always be welcome to give feedback after the convention is over.
5. Performers from all walks of life are invited to apply and perform. If you feel that you may need accommodations to participate, please reach out at uzume@pittjcs.org detailing your accommodations required!

Scoring

Please keep an eye on our social media and the Stage Uzume page at https://tekko.us/stage-uzume for announcements on who will be our guest judges this year!

The scoring matrix and details on how a winner will be chosen can be found at https://tekko.us/stage-uzume. Unlike in prior years, there has been no change to this scoring method for 2025.

Prizes

A metal plaque commemorating the best solo/duo performer and the best group will be given out at the end of the event. We are also working with local vendors to secure other prizes for the winning competitors - stay tuned!