Question. I just found out I can get certified for DMA, next weekend.......however I don't have any of the materials......since it was just sprung on me. Is this ridiculous? Possible without reading the manuals? Is there anyone who has them that can help me out? I wouldn't mind buying them, if it was someone close enough I could get them? Or email? Anything? LOL

Or has someone taken the test and can tell me what I need to know? I'm more worried about the history part apparently....just because I have NO idea what's on it. I want to do ballet tap and jazz.

I'd apprieciate any help!!! If you don't think it's feasible, I will wait. Also, about how long and how much is it?
THANKS!!!

Don't they have the manuals for you? Contact the president. www.dma-national.org . . .

I took the ballet certification. From what I remember, it has been almost 8 year so things may have changed, there were two parts verbal and demostrating positions, jumps turns etc.. and a written test. Hardest part for me was the written test it had music and I think a little history. I cant really remember much else about the test. If you are well versed in the subjects you should be fine for the demonstrations but I would still try and get a manual or something to review for the written test. Again it has been a while so things may have changed. I took the test in with the Southern Council of Dance Masters. Break A Leg!!!Sammy Beth

I'm a member of Chapter 16 in Ohio, & just got certified in ballet & tap 3 yrs ago. I have a degree in dance education, have been studying tap & ballet for over 30 years, & majored in ballet at a performing arts boarding high school, so I knew my way around the dance block before becoming certified, but I am VERY glad I bought the training manuals, because DM had very specific ways of doing things that were not in my vocabulary until I read them in the manuals, & that's what they tested me on. They wanted counting & notation done their way for tap (I've devised my own shorthand after all these years of teaching, so adapting to their method was tough, but they want written materials as standardized as possible since they give out written versions of everything that's taught at their conventions), & I did muss a couple on the tap history part. The ballet was a breeze, but I did learn a few things from minor mistakes I made on the demonstrating part: They didn't care which method of ballet I was teaching, as long as I could identify which method I was following & was consistent in using the same method throughout my demos. I wasn't consistent, being a ballet mutt myself, & that's where I lost 2 points! For me, despite all my prior education, I wouldn't have done nearly as well without the manuals & time to study them. They were expensive, but a wonderful investment, as they're full of terrific material. I've got 2 instuctors working for me now who I am encouraging to get certified, & they were impressed w/the manuals also.

You are allowed to re-take the exams, so you might want to just go ahead & take them now, even though you're not really prepared, just so you know what to expect. For me, I could've had perfect scores had I gotten to do a "practice run" the 1st time! Good luck, whatever route you choose. Clients love credentials, so it's a good investment in yourself.