THE IDTA ARE ONE OF THE WORLDS LARGEST AND LEADING DANCE EXAMINATION BOARDS.
The IDTA, International Dance Teachers Association, boasts over 7000 members in 55 countries around the world. Their head office is based in Brighton and they are recognised as one of the leading global authorities in dancing for amateur and professional dancers alike.
The IDTA's roots can be traced back to a small group of founding members in Manchester in 1903. Who would have thought then that this organisation would grow into a global leader in the dance industry?
The society offers exams for amateur and professional candidates across a wide variety of dance styles and for dancers of all ages and levels of ability.
The different styles of dance covered by the IDTA include: Ballroom, Latin American, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Classical Sequence, Modern Sequence, Freestyle, Rock 'n' Roll, Street, Line Dancing, Cheerleading, Dance Exercise, Belly Dancing, River Dancing, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Theatre Craft and many many more.
The association offers students to take amateur exams through the society or take a professional exam and become a qualified member of the organisation.
For amateur dancers, they can benefit from taking a series of grades, tests or medal assessments in their chosen dance style. The means that students get the chance to learn and develop their dancing by taking part in a what is essentially a series of "check points" to progress to higher grades.
The medal system enables the dancer to progress through the grades which will teach them new steps, techniques and approaches to their chosen dance style as they progress through the system.
To become a professional member of the IDTA, candidates must pass one of their professional examinations in at least one dance style. The entry level professional exam is the Associate level which entitles the dancer to be a fully fledged member of the society. Although there are lower level teaching qualifications than the Associate, those qualifications often allow membership or provisional membership but restrict the member in the type of exams their allowed to put any of their own students through.
A provisional membership still offers many numerous benefits to those looking to join a reputable dance society.