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Explain to your customers how they can order or gain access to your
services.

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breadth of your services.

Can I make a living teaching dance?
A quick online search will yield hundreds of ads looking for dance
instructors. Instructors can work at large national franchise studios,
at private studios, or as independent teachers. In addition to
traditional studios, dance instructors are in demand to teach through
municipal parks and recreation programs, at school and after-school
enrichment programs, on cruises, at resorts, many places that might
surprise you!

Are there prerequisites for taking Ballroom Dance Teacher training?
Our program is open to everyone – those with years of dance
experience and training, and those with little or no dance
background. You will learn how to dance and how to teach the lead
and the follow role of 17 ballroom dances, as well as musical,
technical and historical information for these dances. Really, the
only prerequisite is a strong desire to learn, and the perseverance and
determination to succeed.

I already have considerable dance experience – what will this program
do for me?
This program will train you in all of the technical elements of the
dances and significantly improve your knowledge and technique.

How large are the classes?
This will vary, but you should expect between 5 and 15: enough
students to form a supportive network, but few enough that every
student will receive considerable individual attention.

What will I be expected to do in the training sessions besides dance?
Because this is a teaching class, there is a strong emphasis
on presentation skills. You will be expected to present
material to the class on a regular basis. You may be asked
to demonstrate a figure or to present a brief history of a
specific dance. Also, in order to teach a specific dance or
figure, you need to be able to articulate and demonstrate
both the leader’s and follower’s part. We spend equal
time in class working on both parts, and every student is
expected to dance with every other student as both leader
and follower, regardless of gender. This is standard
practice for professional dance instruction. Finally
participants are expected to behave to the highest standards of
professionalism while participating in the program, acting with
integrity and demonstrating positive communication and behavior.

How much effort outside of the training sessions is required?
A good rule of thumb would be to plan for one hour outside of class
for each hour in class. This would include study time and practice
time. Participate in as many classes and workshops offered by well-
qualified instructors as you can (we will make recommendations for
classes and workshops for those local to the Phoenix, AZ area).
Partner up with other trainees for practice sessions - the more
serious your commitment, the more and better you will learn.

May I observe a training session?
If you are unsure about whether to sign up, we would much rather
that you participate in a session – that’s really the best way to get a
feel for what it’s like. The fee for this is commensurate to the hourly
tuition. When you decide to join the program you can apply 100% of
the payment of the trial session fee towards your tuition.

What unique benefits do SWBDTA program participants
receive?
The SWBDTA offers these additional benefits to its
students, making a unique and valuable training
opportunity unlike any other:

aining sessions are scheduled as

weekend intensives,

allow

ing

participants to

aintain full-time employment or to

join us from outside the Phoenix area.'

Scheduling

flexible

and organized

around the

schedules are

participants. This is

especially

valuable for participants from

outside the

Phoenix metropolitan area (we offer assistance

with

finding lodging).

ecial training sessions are offered to trainees

–

free of

additional charge – conducted by top,

nationally-

ranked

dance

instructors, including

some

responsible for

writing the DVIDA

syllabus.

rkshop

with top special guest instructors

are

available to

trainees at reduced rates

Special training sessions on career, business, and self-

development are offered in addition to dance training

Trainees may be invited

to participate as

apprentice instructors

at dance workshops, events, and classes

run by SWBDTA

Director Chad Lakridis

, at his discretion.

Trainees in good standing are eligible

for a reduction in fees for

private lessons with SWBDTA Director

Chad Lakridis

Trainees who successfully complete all SWBDTA requirements

may attend future training sessions of

SWBDTA free of charge,

in return for teaching assistance at

such sessions

, at the

discretion of the Director

Are there course materials or other supplies that I need to purchase
in order to participate?
It is necessary to purchase the DVIDA manuals, most importantly, the
              Bronze American Smooth and Rhythm Manuals – these
              are available from www.dancevision.com and total
              less than $125. (There are manuals available for
              Argentine Tango, Nightclub Two-step and Salsa. We
              will inform student which, if any of these manual to
              purchase.) Dance Vision also sells Syllabus DVD’s,
              Dance Charts for recording progress, and other
              optional materials that can be helpful In supporting
              the training. In addition to the Manuals, a good pair
              of ballroom dance shoes is a must; we will be happy to
make recommendations.

Will I be ‘certified’ on completion of the training?
When you complete the Teacher Training you will receive a
Certificate of Completion. This is a valuable accomplishment, and it
will serve as a wonderful credential for your dance resume.
However, the Certificate of Completion is different than professional
certification. The certification exam for which the training prepares
you is the Dance Vision International Dancers Association (DVIDA)
certification. The SWBDTA curriculum is based on the DVIDA syllabus
and exam structure and provides completes and thorough training for
all the DVIDA professional exams. SWBDTA will assist you in arranging
to take the exam.

Why should I pursue DVIDA Certification?
The DVIDA Certification process offers extraordinary benefits to
dance teachers. Beyond the direct benefit of the training on your
dance and dance instruction skills, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions