Competitions
Ready to compete? JAI competitions take place throughout the festival, with different divisions for different levels of experience.
Thursday
Strictly
Choose your partner, sign up together and compete as a couple.
Open Strictly — for newer competition couples with no or minimal international competition experience.
Advanced Strictly — for experienced competition couples with international competition experience.
You can only enter one Strictly division: Open or Advanced.
Prelims & finals: Thursday.
Friday
Mix & Match
Sign up individually and dance with different partners throughout the competition.
Open Mix & Match — for newer festival competitors with no or minimal international competition experience.
Advanced Mix & Match — for experienced festival competitors with international competition experience.
You can only enter one Mix & Match division: Open or Advanced.
Prelims & finals: Friday.
Friday & Saturday
Jazz Roots
Our solo Jazz Roots competition is open to all festival participants, regardless of competition level.
Prelims: Friday. Finals: Saturday.
Sunday
Pro Mix & Match
Our highest-level Mix & Match division, aimed at professional dancers, teachers and highly experienced competitors.
Prelims & finals: Sunday. Buckle up!
From JAI 2025
A look back at last year’s Pro Mix & Match.