Competitions & Festivals · Multi-genre competition including ballet categories
AD Competition 2027 – Dublin Regional

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The AD Competition holds its Dublin regional at the Church of Scientology, Dublin on 8 and 9 May 2027 as part of its fifth season, which runs 14 regionals across the UK and Ireland. Ballet is one of nine full genre categories.
Key details
Dates: 8 and 9 May 2027
Venue: Church of Scientology, Dublin
Other Irish dates this season: Cork, 24 and 25 April 2027. Grand Finals in Dublin, October 2027, date not yet announced.
Entry fees, age divisions and the closing date have not been published for the 2027 season. This listing will be updated when they are.
Categories
Nine genres are accepted, with ballet a full category in its own right:
Ballet
Contemporary
Lyrical
Jazz
Tap
Musical Theatre
Commercial, Hip Hop and Street
Acro and Cheerleading
Open
Entries are accepted as solos, duets and trios, groups and productions, and the competition is open to all ages and skill levels including novice, competitive and SEN dancers. Ballet entries are danced in ballet shoes. Pointe is not a separate category.
How the regionals feed the Grand Finals
The regionals are the qualifying route. There is no separate qualifier event.
Each judge holds one Golden Buzzer per regional. A routine that receives one advances automatically to the Finals.
The 12 highest-scoring Golden Buzzers across all regionals meet in the Golden Dancers Showdown at the Finals, where one is crowned Golden Dancer.
To enter a Title division at the Finals you must have entered a Title Award at a regional, in the same category. Attending a regional is therefore a prerequisite.
Any routine scoring 270 or above becomes eligible for the National Championships.
What entrants get
Three industry judges with professional audio and video feedback
Knockout scholarship workshops
Medals for all, with trophies and medallions for top places
Awards, titles and scholarships
How to enter
Registration is through Dance Comp Genie. Download the Ireland info pack from theaarondwyer.com first. No closing date is published and entries are capped at every location.
Contact
Email team@theaarondwyer.com, or WhatsApp +44 7375 947708.
Questions
Is ballet a real category or lumped in with everything else? Ballet is one of nine standalone genres, judged in ballet shoes.
Do I have to compete at a regional to reach the Grand Finals? Yes for the Title divisions, and a Golden Buzzer at a regional is the automatic route in.
Can novice dancers enter? Yes. Novice, competitive and SEN dancers are all catered for.
When do entries close? No closing date is published. Places are limited at each location.
Details checked against theaarondwyer.com on 27 July 2026.
Who it's for
Dance schools and solo performers around Dublin and the east, across all genres, from first-time soloists to full production teams.
Schedule
Important
For the most up-to-date timings, please confirm via the official organiser website.
Competition pack list

Bloch Celeste Knit Wrap Cardigan (Grey Marle)
The ballet-specific warm-up cardigan for cold Irish studios - V-neck, tie-back, no zips or drawstrings to flap during turns.
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Bloch Mira Knit Leg Warmers (Ladies, Black)
Above-the-knee 20-inch knit warmers for the first ten minutes of barre in a cold Irish studio. Pull on over tights, peel off when you're warm.
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