Certification Training

Certification Trinidad

Upcoming Certification Intensives with Diane Jarmolow:

1. 2. Jr. Associate International Latin, October 11-15, 2010 in Oakland, CA. Click here for more information.

2. Silver International Standard, October 18-22, 2010 in Oakland, CA. Click here for more information.

3. Full Bronze American Smooth Dances, June 12-17, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV. Click here for more information and to register.

What is Professional Certification?

In the dance industry, professional certificates are granted to dancers who submit themselves to a standardized exam from one of the accredited organizations, and who pass that exam satisfactorily. A credential from any of these organizations is an asset to your career.

The certification exam for which we prepare you at the BDTC is the Dance Vision International Dancers Association (DVIDA®) certification. We base our teacher training curriculum on the DVIDA® syllabus and exam structure; provide complete and thorough training for all the DVIDA® professional exams; and are available to administer the exam itself.

Why Should I Get Certified?

Diane dancing with a student The Professional Certification process offers extraordinary benefits to dance teachers, deeply enriching their dancing and teaching, and greatly expanding their career opportunities. Diane says, "Going through the certification training and taking the exams has taken my dancing to a much higher level, given me the ability to run my own school, and given me entree into the judging arena. The teachers I know who have become certified unanimously agree that it is the single best thing they have done for themselves in their dance career."

Become a Better Teacher
The process of preparing for your certification exam will teach you dance concepts you may not have fully understood. You will improve both your verbal and presentation skills. You will learn the precise vocabulary for describing the technical elements of dance figures, which will help your explanations become clear, succinct, and consistent. Your knowledge of the precise alignments will improve your ability to choreograph routines for your students. You will expand your knowledge of musical terms and concepts, and you will understand how dancing and music relate. Finally, the process of technical mastery will improve your eye, so you will know instantly how to correct your students.
Become a Better Dancer
The technical expertise required to pass your certification exam will catapult your dancing to an entirely new level. You will learn the "rules" of technique that will keep your dancing consistent and help you master new, advanced figures. You’ll develop a language that will help you work more effectively in your dance partnerships. Above all, your confidence will soar with the true mastery of dance technique that will stay with you for the rest of your career.
Declare Your Professional Excellence
The certificate you receive when you pass your certification exams declares your expertise to the world. You’ll be able to attract serious students and earn more for your services. You will be a desirable employee in dance studios around the country. You can even obtain your judging credential. Your certification is the first step to being recognized as a national expert.

How We Can Help You

Preparing for a certification exam can be a daunting task. Studying with a BDTC certification trainer gives you unparalleled insight and clarity, and a deep understanding of the overall principles. Your studying becomes more efficient and effective, allowing you to pass your exam with confidence. We offer professional dance instruction in both American and International styles in preparation for the Associate through Grand Master exams. We can establish a study timeline and framework that is customized to meet your individual schedule and professional goals. We wrote the book on dance teacher certification and we can help you to succeed! Visit Dance Vision's site to purchase our Get Certified DVD and Student Handbook.

Creative Study Options

We offer many creative study options to help you prepare. Even if you don’t live in the San Francisco area, you can take advantage of our services and meet your dance goals. We offer programs for teacher training or certification with specific budget and time considerations. Let us help you in learning how to teach dance.

On-site Teacher & Certification Training at Your Studio:
Diane can come to your studio to organize an ongoing program to give you and your staff the tools necessary to succeed in becoming certified. She will create a program tailored specifically for your staff and your business needs.
DVD:
Our new “Get Certified! How to Train for Your Professional ProDVIDA® Exam” DVD and Workbook demonstrates everything you need to know to pass your exam. The program includes complete dance demonstrations, the required “solo” dance demonstration, the correct way to answer the questions in the theoretical and teaching sections, and mock examinations. The Certification Workbook gives sample questions and answers, as well as full explanations of the different parts of the exam. Available through DanceVision.com.

Certification Intensives

Designed for people who live outside the San Francisco Area, these one- or two-week group programs offer intensive instruction, study, and practice of various DVIDA Syllabi, leaving you fully prepared for your DVIDA® Certification exams in a vastly condensed time. Perfect for out-of-town professionals, and newcomers considering teaching ballroom dance as a profession who want to jump start their career at the entry level. Intensives are scheduled periodically, so please contact us for upcoming dates.

Custom Designed Teacher Training and Certification

Whether you can come for a long weekend, a month, or several months, Diane will help you find housing and create a training schedule that will fit your individual needs. This has proven to be a very successful option for teachers from different parts of the country.

Ballroom Dance Teachers College