Foothills Dance Teachers Academy - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a ballroom dance instructor???
To be a ballroom dance teacher you need to know not just how to dance the steps, but also how to lead and follow each dance you teach. The most successful teachers are capable of not only teaching all 17 dances, but also knowing the musical, technical and historical information for each dance. Come to the Foothills Dance Teachers Academy and in just 16 months or less, we can teach you what you need to know and help you realize your dancing dreams!

What are the prerequisites for the 16 month Teacher Training Course??
The 16 month teacher training course is for people with no dance background and seasoned professionals alike. The only thing you need is the desire to teach dance. This course will teach you everything you need to know for a successful career in ballroom dance. You will learn how to lead and follow 17 ballroom dances and how to teach these to others.

Attendance
This is a professional level course, and we cover a lot of material at a fairly fast pace. Missing class is not advised, as you can easily fall behind. If you do have to miss a class, you can generally arrange to work with one of the other students to help you catch up. You can also schedule private lessons (for an additional private lesson fee) to make up any work you miss.

How far in advance should I enroll for the Teacher Training course?
To secure your spot in the class, we recommend submitting the $100.00 non-refundable deposit at least 30 days prior to the start of class.

I am already a very accomplished dancer. Will this course improve my technique and own dancing?
The Teacher Training program is designed to teach you all the figures of the Bronze American syllabus in 17 dances so that you will know those figures inside and out. It will teach you the elements of the figures and the terminology to teach them with. It will give you practice in presenting in front of the class, and you will be tested frequently to insure retention and facility with the material. Your technique will improve through this process, but this class is not designed to make you a competitive dancer. That type of training is best done in private lessons.

How much outside class study is required?
We recommend about four hours of outside class study per week. We cannot over emphasize the importance of practice

Is the class balanced between men and woman?
While the gender ratio varies from semester to semester, there tend to be more women then men. However, because all students need to learn both leader and follower roles, the gender ratio is irrelevant.

What kind of salary can a graduate of BDTC earn?
A BDTC graduate always warrants a much higher salary then someone else who has not been trained. The salary that staff members make at dances studios varies from studio to studio. However, both the salary of an independent contractor and staff member is based on the value of their lesson, which is directly related to their training and experience. Graduates of the BDTC teacher training program are far ahead of the game because they have already received specialized training.

Must I complete all 16 months of Teacher Training to get a certificate?
No. The entire course consists of four sections and each section takes 4 months to complete. You will receive a certificate upon completion of the required components for each section. If you do finish the entire 16 months program, you will receive five certificates in all, one per section and one comprehensive certificate.

Is the teacher training course International or American?
The 16 month course utilizes the DVIDA Syllabus and covers the American Style Bronze level dances (Smooth, Rhythm, Latin and nightclub and swing dances). It is planned to expand the FDTA program to International Style in the future.

What is DVIDA and PRODVIDA?
The DVIDA System is America's Leading Ballroom Syllabus consisting of visual media, manuals, charts and certification for students and professionals.

ProDVIDA is a professional teacher organization that is open to all professional dance teachers and competitors. ProDVIDA encourages and welcomes active participation from its members in developing dance standards, promoting business innovations, and celebrating the art of dance.

The goal of ProDVIDA is to provide the professional with top-notch service and valuable tools and to identify those teachers who exemplify the highest levels of skill and ethical standards, through training, experience and certification.

What is the difference between proDVIDA and Teacher Training Certification?
Teacher Training certification recognizes you have successfully completed the vocational teacher training program and can teach all 17 ballroom dances while the DVIDA certification recognizes your masterly knowledge of the dances you are certified in at the national level.

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.

I don't want to teach, will this improve my dancing??
Yes, our program will catapult your dancing to new dimensions.

Can I make a living teaching dance?
A quick online search will yield hundreds of ads looking for qualified dance instructors. From large national franchise studios, at private studios, or as independent teachers, there is a clear demand for qualified individuals. In addition to traditional studios, dance instructors are in demand to teach through municipal parks and recreation programs, at school, Community Colleges 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 – with little or no dance background or to those with years of dance experience and training. 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. The only prerequisite is a strong desire to learn, and the perseverance and determination to succeed.

How large are the classes??
This will vary, but we try to keep the classes large 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. These are some of the skills and qualities of a Professional Instructor.

How much effort outside of the training sessions is required?
This will depend on the individual and the dance. A rough 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. Partner up with other trainees for practice sessions - the more serious your commitment, the more you will learn.

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.