I have to say that I believe it is a must to be certified to teach by an organization or earn college degrees to be a dance instructor. I learned more in the 3 years of training to take my exams than I ever learned in my middle and high school years of training. I am a new member so I am just giving an opinion. I remember when I was in high school I taught at a really popular school and the parents could care less of my experience. It was such a large school and very into competing no matter what the cost. I attended DMA's Teacher Training Program for the three consecutive summers, took my test in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Acro. They did not have much to choose from in 1994! I feel that now my parents knowing this in my bio really does matter in a small town, these people want to know that I am properly teaching their children and not just teaching them to smile pretty and shake their booties. For opening a studio, I suggest a buisness course or 2 at a local college, and where I am all I needed was a privelege license and I was good too go, you just have to have a good head on your shoulders and if you do not want to run the business have someone take care of that and just do what you do best!! Teach, Inspire, and Create!

Good post!!

Does anyone know of a dance certification program in C.A. that is not a university, maybe a city college? I've read that some replies about getting certified online is NOT recommended, can you please explain why? And if anyone does know of a certification program online can you please let me know just so I can check it out?

This is a great site sure to save many rising dancers a tremendous amount of time.

Okay, this may be a silly question but I am curious! I see the word "testing" a lot and getting certified from DEA and DMA, and I'm just wondering what all this entails? Do you mean a written test? Or demonstrating? Or what? Haha, I just don't know! None of my dance teachers were ever certified and they didn't go to college and they were amazing, so I'm not convinced that its essential, but I definitely am interesting in learning more about what it entails!

The University of Washington has a new program for dance teacher certificate! I am enrolling. It is a one year (3 quarters) class to get your certificate. It is a 400 level. You can go to the website. It's the UW extension program. Enjoy!

there's also nvcc.commnet.edu for naugatuck valley community college in CT. a two year school however, amazing dance program. Can either get an associates degree or certificate

Hartford Conservatory for the Arts in CT as well..
Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory for performance
North Carolina School for the Arts
University of Maryland
Towson University

Also in CT, NVCC in conjunction with Central CT State University have a certification program so you can be certified through the state of CT to be teacher certified.

Just to update a link that's out of date www.cdtanational.ca
CDTA National site

I just finished my 3rd summer of training at DMA in 2008, i would highly reccomend it. Not only are you given so much information you can use to help teach even with information you may already know, but you meet so many people that can give you insight from their experiences of owning a studio. You meet so many people you can have contacts all over the US that are soing the same thing you love to do! It's Great!

can someone tell me the best way to contact Dance Masters in Buffolo?

i just wanna get more info and the site isnt very helpful..

thanks!

I have been through the ADAPT Teacher's Training School held in Saskatchewan and am an ADAPT certified teacher. Currently I am in the process of working on my accredidation by putting kids that I teach into their ADAPT exams.

So I own a dance school in a super small town, I dont ever remember hearing anything about a certificate, I do signed waivers through the school, is this enough to protect me??

This is a great topic. As dancers, and especially as Dance Teachers, we all need to be life long learners.

In reply to dancepearl

I don't have any personal experience with DMA although I know many teachers who like them.

I do, however, have Dance Master Certification from DEA, and although I have "the piece of paper" I still attend at least one workshop or teacher training with them every year. I have NEVER been disappointed. The faculty is the most intelligent, mature, sincere, accomplished group of people. The program is ever evolving although the organization is over 75 years old... they listen to their members, and adapt to the changing times, without compromising the integrity of the art form.

Although I too would advise against on line certification (why miss the opportunity to dance and learn from the best of the best...) sometimes circumstances don't allow this kind of participation. If you check out the DEA website, there are instructions about how to "test" for certification. They recommend several good books on which the written part of the three levels of testing is based.

In the DEA teachers' certification program, Level 1, and Level 2, require 6 days of classes from 8AM until 6PM with a half hour for lunch. At the end of these two levels, an exam is given...it's not easy but I do know teachers who took the tests without attending the week of preparation, and were able to join DEA. It is required to pass Level 1 and 2, be a teacher for at least 2 years, and have a minimum of 4 years training in dance before teaching, in order to apply for membership in Dance Educator of America.

Level 3 is what you need to be a Certified Dance Master. The teachers' training program is the same as Level 1 and 2, but it is for teaching 5th and 6th year students. The exam is extensive, just like level 1 and 2... and in addition, you have to write a term paper (they send you 5 topics to choose from in the 5 major areas of dance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Acro) and hand it in on the first day. Also, you have to teach two classes ... usually, to other professionals. Your teaching is adjudicated by two accomplished professionals, usually on staff with DEA. You have to teach a level 4 Ballet class, and have a choice of a level 3 jazz or level 3 tap class.

It isn't easy... in fact... it was extremely challenging.
But if you have the heart of a dancer, you owe it to yourself (not just your students or your studio...) to give it a shot.

I know I am a better teacher because of my experiences with DEA. And when circumstances prevent me from making my yearly trek to New York or Vegas, I feel it all year long. DEA really does nourish my spirit, my soul, and my disposition!

Good Luck!

ps Vegas is really cheap in the 115 degree summer and not that far from California. Why don't you give it a try? the website is deadance.com

Just wondering if you would give any more information -

I'm interested in a DMA or DEA training programs -

I'm more of a recreational studio - it's been several years from the time I took classes - SO I want to refresh the lingo, moves, etc. Do these programs help with that - do they help you develop a syllabus = for what students should know - Basic Steps in Ballet, Tap, etc.

Thanks - It's a large cost - just want to make sure it's right for me.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know anything about the RAD teacher certification distance ed program? Or if there are any other programs similar to this one?

where are some good hip hop based schools??