The Waterloo

Heels Championship

September 20th, 2025

Conestoga banquet hall, waterloo, On

A New Competition Focused on Support and Development for Dancers of All Levels

The Underdog Dance Corp. invites you to participate in the first ever Waterloo Heels Championships on September 20, 2025. This is a competition designed to support and encourage growth in a non-judgemental, feedback-focused environment. Dancers of all levels of experience are welcome to compete in amateur, pro-am, professional, solo, duo, and team categories! We welcome friends from studios across Southwestern Ontario and beyond to attend with students, family and friends to bring the broader heels community together.

The event is hosted by The Underdog Dance Corp., Waterloo's first dance studio for adult beginners, known for its inclusive and supportive environment.

Meet Our

Judges

We are so excited to announce our first judge for the Underdog Heels Championships, Nina! Nina is a professional dancer and dance teacher based in Toronto, Canada. She started dancing competitively at the age of 4, training extensively in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Contemporary growing up, and found her love for commercial styles in her adulthood. She has since then performed for Snoop Dogg, the Juno Awards, and many other brands and local artists in addition to various jobs in music videos, TV, and live performances. She is very excited to continue teaching internationally, and has already taught heels workshops in the US, UK, Dublin, and France! Nina has a passion for working with dancers on achieving their goals and helping them realize their full potential and confidence. She can’t wait to meet you all!

Sign Up Today

Register for yourself or on behalf of your students here

Levels, Divisions & Eligibility

Dancers may compete in up to two adjacent levels but may not register for non-adjacent levels or more than two different levels. For example, a dancer could compete in Level 1 and Level 2, but not Level 1 and Level 3.

To help dancers identify the level most appropriate for their current level, please see guidelines on skills below. The list of not permitted skills in a category has been added to help you identify the level you should enter, based on the choreography you’re intending to perform. If your choreography has a trick on the ‘not permitted’ list, please look to the next category up, it may be the more appropriate level. These guidelines are related to solos, duos, and group performances.

Newcomer

Intended for dancers competing for the first time, dancing at a Level 1 skill level. Not permitted: spins (single or double), any flips or gymnastics-like tricks, jumps (any point where all body parts leave the floor, requiring a safe landing). Newcomers may compete in newcomer and level 1 at the same time.

Level 1

Intended for dancers with limited competition experience or new to structured heels training. Not permitted: spins (single or double), any flips or gymnastics-like tricks, jumps (any point where all body parts leave the floor, requiring a safe landing).

Level 2

Intended for dancers with heels training and past competition experience. Not permitted: any flips or gymnastics-like tricks, unless supported by a partner.

Level 3

Intended for highly skilled dancers with extensive training and some prior competition experience. All skills and tricks are allowed.

Open

Professional and Amateur dancers of all levels in all styles are permitted to compete in open categories. Latin, hip hop, contemporary, drag, and other kinds of performances are permitted so long as they abide by all other competition rules.

Divisions

Scroll To Learn About Each Division

SOLOS: Amateur (Newcomer), Amateur (Level 1), Amateur (Level 2), Amateur (Level 3), Professional, Over 40, Open

SOLOS: Amateur (Newcomer), Amateur (Level 1), Amateur (Level 2), Amateur (Level 3), Professional, Over 40, Open

DUOS: Amateur (Newcomer), Amateur (Level 1), Amateur (Level 2), Amateur (Level 3), Pro-Am, Professional, Over 40, Open

DUOS: Amateur (Newcomer), Amateur (Level 1), Amateur (Level 2), Amateur (Level 3), Pro-Am, Professional, Over 40, Open

SMALL TEAMS (3-5 Dancers): Amateur, Pro-Am, Professional, Open

SMALL TEAMS (3-5 Dancers): Amateur, Pro-Am, Professional, Open

LARGE TEAMS (6+ Dancers): Amateur, Pro-Am, Professional, Open

LARGE TEAMS (6+ Dancers): Amateur, Pro-Am, Professional, Open

General Rules

  • Registration Fees: All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to other divisions.

  • Participant Pass: All competitors must acquire a Competitor Pass, granting access to the competition, regardless of the number of divisions entered.

  • Division Entries: If a division receives fewer than 3 entries, organizers reserve the right to cancel or merge divisions. In case of cancellation, the entry fee will be reimbursed.

  • Attire and Costumes: Competitors are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. Nudity is strictly prohibited. Costumes will be evaluated as part of the presentation category.

  • Rehearsals: No run-throughs or dress rehearsals are allowed on the performance stage prior to the competition.

  • Media Release: By participating, you authorize unrestricted use of media (photos/videos) for promotional purposes.

  • Liability: The event organizers are not responsible for accidents, lost, stolen, or forgotten items during preparation or performances.

Age Categories

  • 18+ – Open to all dancers age 18 and over.

  • Over 40 – Open to dancers age 40 and above. (Dancers in this category may also compete in 18+).

Amateur vs. Professional vs. Pro-Am

Amateur – A dancer who does not work as a heels instructor or hired performer. All dancers must qualify as amateurs.

Professional – A dancer who earns compensation for their work as a heels instructor or performer and teaches the students who compete in the amateur category. Can include both amateur and professional dancers.

Pro-Am - Pro-Am categories are intended for teachers dancing with their students (and are not a "semi-pro" category). Dancing beside your instructor can elevate your personal performance, boost your confidence, and increase the overall quality of your show. All dancers must qualify as professionals.

Performance Guidlines

  • Each performance must not exceed 3 minutes including your entrance on stage and exit from stage during/after applause. Music should not exceed 2.5 minutes (150 seconds).

  • Participants may integrate a maximum of 3 songs into their routine.

  • Submit your music via the designated upload link by the specified deadline. (More details to follow).

  • Props are allowed, excluding dangerous items. Setup and removal must be completed within 1 minute of performance. Props cannot exceed 6 feet in height. Confetti is prohibited. The organizers have a right to deny any prop usage for any reason - please inquire about any prop usage in advance of competition.

Sign Up Today

Register for yourself or on behalf of your students here