Choreo Corral

 

Choreo Corral
Line Dance Choreography Competition

The Choreo Corral is designed to give choreographers a chance to showcase their creativity and passion in front of attendees and professionals alike.


Corral C: Phrased
$20.00

Who Can Compete?
The 2025 WWLA Line Dance Choreography Competition is open to all dancers who have purchased a WWLA 2025 Weekend Pass.

When Is the Competition?
The competition timing will be announced closer to WWLA 2025 weekend. Please be in the competition area, ready to compete, 10-15 minutes before the competition begins. Competitors will need to check in with the competition coordinator.

How much does it cost to compete?
*All competitors must have a Weekend Pass*
$20 entry fee per dance. Entries are non-refundable.

How do I enter?
Add competition entries to your cart from the registration page. When you select the appropriate division, you will be prompted to fill out a form about your dance before the entry can be found in your cart.

Will I need to submit anything else?
In addition to filling out the form(s) during registration, you will need to send your step sheet and music to info@thelawranglers.org no later than August 16th.
On-site entries will be required to bring their music on a flash drive and six (6) printed copies of their step sheet(s).

Which divisions are available?
There will be three divisions available:
Corral A will be non-phrased Beginner and Improver level dances.
Corral B will be non-phrased Intermediate and Advanced level dances.
Corral C will be phrased dances of any level.
Detailed division definitions are further down this page.

Does my dance have to be recently choreographed?
For 2025, there is no limit on the age of the dance being entered.

Can I enter more than one dance?
For 2025, each choreographer may enter one (1) dance per category, for a maximum of three dances per choreographer.
If you are entering a co-choreographed dance and are concerned about the limit, please email us your question!

How will the competition be run?
·Competitors will arrive at the competition area 10-15 minutes prior to the start time.
·Competitors will need to check in with the competition coordinator.
·The competition will begin with Corral A, then Corral B, then Corral C.
·Competitors will be called to the floor by name, entry number, and dance title.
·Corral A and Corral B will demo four (4) walls of their dances.
·Corral C will demo until they’ve shown all phrases of their dance.

Can I have someone else demo for me?
Choreographers are expected to participate in the demo of their own dance - but please reach out if this is an issue. Competitors may bring friends and co-choreographers onto the floor to demo the dance with them. While competitors must have a Weekend Pass to compete, any additional dancers demoing are only required to have an All-Day pass.

Who will be judging?
There will be any non-even number of judges with the minimum being five (5). The judges panel will consist of WWLA Instructors or experienced dance professionals who are invited by WWLA.

How will the competition be scored?
Relative Placement scoring will be used.

What will the judging criteria be?
Musicality: Correctly identifying the rhythms in the music and using step sequences that reflect them. Choreography that may hit more than just the beat; correctly identifying rhythms, accents, etc.
Originality & Flow: Original step sequences, arm motions, interpretation of music, with each sequence comfortably transitioning from one to the next.
Step Sheet: Being able to correctly identify and communicate step descriptions, level of difficulty, and sequences (tags, restarts, phrasing) of the dance.

What placements and awards are available?
1st place in each corral will receive a trophy and a WWLA merchandise certificate.
2nd place in each corral will receive a trophy.

One of the three first place dances will be selected as the overall winner and, in addition to the prizes above, will receive a WWLA 2026 Weekend Pass and their dance will be taught during WWLA 2025!

Music
Music should be free of inappropriate language. If it’s not something you could potentially play on the radio, you’ll likely need to find a clean version.

Dress Code
There are no requirements for what to wear however, clothing should be presentable and appropriate. No costumes or props. It is recommended that dance shoes (of any style) be worn. Any shoe that can damage the dance floors will not be allowed. Inappropriate clothing or shoes can result in disqualification. If an outfit or article of clothing is called into question, the judges and/or representatives of WWLA will have final say.


Choreo Corral
Divisions

Choreographers should use their best judgement when categorizing their dances and these definitions should be used as guidelines. Ultimately it is the job of the choreographer to correctly define the level of their dance(s). WWLA reserves the right to move any dance between categories if we feel that it is entered in the wrong category. A representative of WWLA will connect with the choreographer before changing categories. Descriptions of each category were borrowed from Guide to Line Dance Lever Definitions article in the website.

 

Corral A
Beginner/Improver

This classification is referring to a line dance routine that will build upon the skills learned at the Absolute Beginner Routines will be suitable for those who have some previous dance experience. Beginner level choreography will introduce additional step patterns and may use up to two turns for example two 1/4 pivot turns in sequence or two 1/4 turns at the end of a travelling pattern e.g. chasse or grapevine. Routines may also include different rhythms like Waltz or Cha Cha and the tempos may range from slow to moderate. Routines at this level will show how different steps flow one into the other and provide some basic styling principles - looking up and body posture. At this stage, cross body movement such as cross rocks and weaves could be introduced. Generally dance routines at this level would not be more than 32 - 48 counts but may contain more than one direction change as in two 1/2 turns in opposite directions.

Routines will use different rhythms and dancers should begin to feel the music and gain self confidence.

 

Corral B
Intermediate/Advanced

Intermediate:
This classification will feature dance routines suitable for experienced dancers. Those who have mastered a comprehensive range of step patterns and movements. An Intermediate routine is likely to feature interesting step combinations, pauses, syncopations, body movements, timing variations and styling. Routines could embrace any amount of turning techniques and run up to 64 counts as normal but, at this level, counts can be considerably more as routines may be phrased to the music and contain tags and bridges. This is the most popular dance level. It is where experienced social dances feel the most comfortable. It offers a wide variety of dance routines that should satisfy most dances and often feature new challenges that will be fun as well as rewarding.

Advanced:
Choreography at this level contains the full spectrum of step patterns in any combination and will embrace all tempos and rhythms.The routines are likely to include complex dance moves that push the boundaries. Advanced level dances can range from a quite short routines, to very complicated, lengthy or totally phrased choreography. Invariably they will feature a range of turns and direction changes and a host of step patterns all of which will require good technique and co-ordination. Choreography at this level will be challenging for most people but very satisfying when mastered. Dances can go beyond a social dance routine and feel and look like an accomplishment dance performance.

 

Corral C
Phrased

For WWLA, a phrased dance is any dance that uses more than one section of choreography to phrase with the music. This includes, but is not limited to dances that contain more than two (2) tags over 16 counts or one (1) tag over 24 counts.

A phrased line dance is a choreographed routine designed to match the structure and dynamics of a song, making it a unique challenge for competitors. A phrased dance features different sections that align with distinct parts of the music, such as verses, choruses, and bridges. Dancers must master multiple patterns and transitions, ensuring precision and musicality throughout their performance.

In a competition setting, phrased line dances test a dancer's ability to adapt smoothly to the music while maintaining timing, style, and technique. Judges often look for seamless execution of transitions, strong rhythmic interpretation, and a confident stage presence.