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??

I know I'm a little late in posting, but thought I'd add my 2 cents, as well as bump this comprehensive list back into viewing! Great job, Tris, and thanks to everyone else who added others they knew about. There really are a lot of opportunities for dance teachers to learn!

I just wanted to add that I started my studio from the ground up in a small farming town when I was seventeen. The official business was opened when I was 20, and now 7 years later, it is doing very well. I have never been certified in anything (Though I am planning to start my ABT National Training Curriculum certification this summer) and my highest college education was an AA in General Studies.

I guess I just wanted to say that a piece of paper, a degree, or a stamp of approval looks good on a resume, but does not necessarily make a good teacher / studio owner. For me, it has been a learning process from day one. I've done a lot of reading, I've networked with a lot of people, and I've been humble enough to take advice when it was offered, and strong enough to stick to what I believe is right. I'm doing the certification mainly to re-inspire myself and get a more set direction of where I'm going...and, I admit, because it looks good.

To the person who was talking about taking over the studio she is teaching in- what a great opportunity! Most of the scary stuff is already done, and so now you just need to earn the trust of the students and parents, and it sounds like your SO is doing what she can to help you do that. Talk to her to see how she runs the business, and then talk to others. Don't change anything too drastically right away, but do change what you strongly feel needs to be changed.

Yay!

prettypenguin wrote:

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?

I am in the RAD program now!!! It's a 2 year program. The first year you cover basic ballet technique, the RAD syllabus, music, anatomy and how to plan ballet classes.

In year two you cover the RAD character work, how to be a free lance dance teacher or own a studio and you have a section called "practical teaching" where you have a mentor who observes you teaching and gives you feedback.

After each "module" you have to write a paper relating to the area of study your working on.

During the two years there are two mandatory workshops that you have to attend where you will be formally tested in the syllabus (you have to dance for these).

At the VERY end of the two years you have to teach 3 formally observed classes that are watched and judged by someone of RAD London's choice.

This is a very generic synopsis of the program. Feel free to PM me with questions

I am certified through DEA. I went to Las Vegas for 8 days, three summers in a row to get my certification in all three levels. You are also able to get credit at UNLV for the coarses. The seminar is held at UNLV. I found the training extremely beneficial and useable even for a small town school. The faculty is extremely knowledgeable. Loved every class and every instructor. I would repeat it without question. They also offer it in NYC. Highly recommended!

I realize this post is late, but I just came across it.
I started my research on certification last year because I've always wanted to open my own studio, and finally decided to do it, but I want to be certified in some way.
This fall I will be attending Agnes Scott College in GA for my Bachelor's in dance. Emory University, Spelman and Valdosta State also offer dance degrees.
I looked into DEA & DMA, but due to the cost, I decided on a degree program since financial aid is available, and I already have an Associates Degree.

the DMA website is very helpful and informative. they have their summer course as well as examining per each individual chapter based on your area. The dance teachers' club of boston has dance education training course for one week a year for three years beginning anytime after age 15. if you are 18 though you can be examined by the club. you should research these