Choreography at Babel
Your Ideas. Your Music. Your Dance.
At Babel, we don’t only want our students to learn somebody else’s choreography.
We want to give them opportunities to create their own.
In 2026, we were delighted to bring back our Babel Choreography Competition, giving children across the school the opportunity to become the choreographer.
Students can create a dance for themselves, work with a friend, or choreograph for and with other dancers — including our younger students.
It’s their chance to have an idea, choose their music, experiment with movement and discover what happens when they are given the freedom to create.
And sometimes, the results surprise even them!
Why Choreography?
Learning choreography and creating choreography are two very different experiences.
When dancers are taught a routine, many of the decisions have already been made for them.
When they become the choreographer, suddenly they have decisions to make.
What music should I choose?
How should my dance begin?
What movements communicate my idea?
Where should my dancers be on the stage?
Should they dance together or separately?
How can I make this section more interesting?
How should it end?
There isn’t always one correct answer — and that’s what makes choreography so exciting.
It encourages our dancers to think, experiment, make decisions and trust their own ideas.
Creativity Without Pressure
You don’t need to think of yourself as a choreographer to take part.
You don’t need to create something complicated.
And you certainly don’t need to have everything worked out before you begin.
Sometimes choreography starts with nothing more than a piece of music you love and an idea.
From there, you experiment.
Some ideas work.
Some don’t.
Some change completely along the way.
That’s all part of the creative process.
We want our students to feel confident enough to have a go.
What Does Choreography Develop?
Creating your own dance develops so much more than choreographic ability.
It encourages:
Creativity — developing and exploring your own ideas.
Independence — making decisions rather than always waiting to be told what comes next.
Musicality — listening carefully and responding creatively to music.
Confidence — trusting your ideas and being prepared to share them with others.
Problem-solving — discovering what works, what doesn’t and how something could be improved.
Leadership — particularly when choreographing other dancers.
Teamwork — listening, negotiating and creating together.
Resilience — understanding that the first idea isn’t always the final idea.
And, of course, it develops a much greater understanding of how dances are actually created.
The Babel Choreography Competition
Our Choreography Competition gives Babel students an opportunity to take their ideas from the studio onto the stage.
The emphasis is on creativity, age-appropriate choreography, performance and enjoyment.
We want students to challenge themselves, but most importantly, we want them to enjoy the experience of creating something that belongs to them.
Types of Entry
Students can choose to create:
Solo — 1 performer
Duet — 2 performers
Group — 3 or more performers
Students can choreograph themselves, work collaboratively with friends or create choreography for other dancers.
Dance Styles
Students can create choreography in a variety of styles, including:
Ballet
Tap
Commercial Freestyle
Lyrical
Song & Dance
Not sure which style your idea fits into?
Just ask us.
Maximum Dance Times
To keep the competition fair and appropriate for different age groups, maximum performance times apply.
Up to Age 8
Solo: maximum 1½ minutes
Duet: maximum 2 minutes
Group: maximum 2½ minutes
Age 9–12
Solo: maximum 2 minutes
Duet: maximum 2½ minutes
Group: maximum 3 minutes
Age 13+
Solo: maximum 2½ minutes
Duet: maximum 3 minutes
Group: maximum 3 minutes
Your dance does not have to use the full time allowance.
Sometimes less really is more!
Choosing Your Music
Choosing music is one of the most exciting parts of beginning a new piece of choreography.
Students should choose something they enjoy listening to and feel inspired to move to.
Think about the mood, rhythm, dynamics and character of the music.
Most importantly, all music and choreography must be age appropriate and suitable for a Babel performance.
If you’re unsure about your music choice, please ask a teacher before getting too far into creating your dance.
The Entry Book
All competition entries must be recorded in the Choreography Competition Entry Book.
Once entries have closed, items may be cancelled but new items cannot be added.
2027 Competition
The entry book for our 2027 Choreography Competition will open in January 2027.
Competition date and venue will be confirmed separately.
Entry fees will also be confirmed before the competition.
Show Us Your Dance
All dances must be shown to a Babel teacher before the competition.
Only dances that have been seen and approved by a teacher will be able to take part.
This isn’t about changing your choreography into something we would create.
It’s your dance.
We simply need to make sure that the music, choreography and content are suitable and that the piece is ready to be performed.
Need Some Help?
Being the choreographer doesn’t mean you have to work everything out completely by yourself.
Sara and some of our older Babel students will be available to offer guidance and support throughout the process.
You might need help working out how to move from one section to another.
You may have an idea but not know how to develop it.
Perhaps part of your dance doesn’t quite feel right and you can’t work out why.
Ask.
We’ll help you explore the problem without taking over your choreography.
The aim is to help you develop your ideas, not turn them into ours.
Costumes
Costumes are entirely optional.
You do not need an elaborate or expensive costume to take part in the Choreography Competition.
The judges are interested in the choreography, the age and ability of the dancer and the performance.
Suitable dance clothing is absolutely fine.
Whatever you choose to wear must allow you to move safely and comfortably, and hair should be secured away from the face.
The creativity is in the choreography — not in how much you spend on a costume.
Medals & Recognition
Every performance will receive recognition for their work.
Judges will award performances a:
Bronze Medal
Silver Medal
or
Gold Medal
The majority decision of the judges determines the medal awarded.
For example, if two judges award Gold and one awards Silver, the overall award will be Gold.
If all three judges give different awards, the middle award — Silver — will be given.
Group Choreography Competition
All group performances will automatically be entered into our Choreographic Competition.
In addition to the medal award, adjudicators will award each group a mark out of 10, giving a total possible score of 30 marks.
Medal Marks
3–16 marks: Bronze
17–24 marks: Silver
25+ marks: Gold
It’s About More Than Winning
Of course, competitions are exciting.
Everyone likes receiving a medal.
But that’s not really the most important part of our Choreography Competition.
The achievement began long before anyone stepped onto the stage.
You had an idea.
You chose some music.
You created movement.
You changed things that didn’t work.
You practised.
You made decisions.
You kept going.
And eventually, you stood in front of an audience and performed something that didn’t exist until you created it.
That’s quite an achievement.
Choreography & GCSE Dance
For students who may eventually consider GCSE Dance, developing choreographic skills from an earlier age can be particularly valuable.
Choreography forms an important part of GCSE Dance, where students learn how to select and develop movement, use choreographic devices and communicate an intention through dance.
Our Choreography Competition gives students an opportunity to begin experimenting with those creative skills in a fun and supportive environment — long before they ever need to think about an examination.
Ready to Create?
To begin, you only need to make three decisions:
1. What style would you like to dance?
2. Will you perform on your own, with a partner or as part of a group?
3. What music inspires you?
Then…
away you go!
Don’t worry if you get stuck. Sara, your teachers and some of our older students will be there to help along the way.
Have ideas.
Experiment.
Change your mind.
Try again.
And most importantly…
Enjoy creating something that is completely yours.
Have a Question?
Ask us as many questions as you like — and parents, please encourage your children to have a go!
Call or text: 07961 153666
Email: office@babeldance.co.uk
Babel Choreography Competition — imagine it, create it, dance it.
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