Judging Panel

Judging will be conducted by the 2025 Moonlight Tango Festival teaching artists. Their extensive experience and diversity of styles will ensure a well-rounded and fair evaluation.

Competition Structure

• Category: Open level, all roles welcome.

• Eligibility: Open to all festival attendees and community members.
  Participants must register as individuals and select a dance role (lead or follow).

• Preliminary Rounds: Each participant dances 3 songs with randomly assigned partners. Judging is based on individual performance.

• Finals: Top-scoring leaders and followers are matched again for final rounds of 3 songs. Winners are selected based on their final round performances.

• Music: Traditional tango, vals, and milonga selections. DJ or organizers will curate music. Each round may feature different tango styles.

Judging Criteria

Judges will evaluate dancers based on the following criteria:

1. Musicality – Interpretation and expression of the music

2. Connection – Quality of lead/follow and partner communication

3. Technique – Posture, balance, control, and clarity

4. Creativity & Improvisation – Personal style and in-the-moment decisions

5. Floorcraft & Etiquette – Respect for space and partner dynamics

Scoring will be conducted individually by each judge using a points-based system.

Rules

1. No fixed partners – All pairings are randomized.

2. Improvised dancing only – No choreography or rehearsed routines.

3. Role declaration is final – Dancers must register as lead or follow and remain in that role throughout the competition (unless a role-reversal round is announced).

4. Respectful conduct required – Any inappropriate behavior results in disqualification.

5. Prompt participation – Dancers must be ready to switch partners quickly when called.

6. Finalists must accept assigned pairings – No substitutions or refusals.

7. Judges’ decisions are final – No appeals will be entertained.