About - International Dance Teachers' Association

At the heart of dance

Training the next generation of passionate and expert dance teachers and their students

As a leading dance qualifications body and membership association for professional dance teachers, with over 7000 members in over 55 countries, we define standards across the widest variety of dance forms, examine performance for both professionals and non-professionals of all ages, develop the skills and professional practice of our members and promote the love of dance across a dynamic, global community

Frequently asked questions

I want to understand more about IDTA examiners

Examinations are both oral and performance based and are conducted by a board of IDTA qualified examiners. IDTA examiners must be qualified at Fellowship level in their chosen branch and complete a rigorous application, interview, training and assessment process. Examiners must attend upgrading courses plus annual standardisation and training courses.
What dance disciplines are professional examinations available in?

The Association covers a wide range of dance disciplines, which divide broadly into three categories – ballroom dance, theatre dance and freestyle dance – although there are, of course, substantial overlaps.

Professional examinations are available in the following core subjects:
Ballroom Branch: Ballroom, Latin and Classical Sequence. 
Theatre Branch: Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz and Theatre Craft. 
Freestyle Branch: Freestyle (incorporating Rock ‘n’ Roll, Street Dance, Line Dancing, Cheerleading and Belly Dancing)

Professional examinations are also available in non-core subjects:
Rock ‘n’ Roll, Cheerleading, Line Dancing, Street Dance, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Belly Dancing, Dance Exercise, Gymnastic Dance and Anatomy & Physiology.

Awards for amateurs or social dancers exist for all dance subjects.
How is the Association managed?

The management of the Association is in the hands of a Board of Directors, elected annually, by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting, which is held in conjunction with the Annual Congress. The standing committee structures support equally the various sections of the profession with faculty committees, conference committees plus a Finance and General Purposes Committee. The members of each committee are elected from those members with particular expertise, e.g. technical faculties are elected by the Examiners, from the board of Examiners.

The Association is pleased that so many of the famous names in the dance business are or have been officials of the organisation.

One of the world’s largest dance examination boards,
the IDTA aims to:

Promote knowledge and foster the art of dance in all its forms

Consult

Maintain and improve teaching standards

Offer a comprehensive range of professional qualifications in all dance genres

Provide and maintain syllabi and technique in all dance genres to train dancers for the profession

The IDTA is an Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales recognised awarding organisation
and a member of:

British Dance Council (BDC)

Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)

Federation of Dance Awarding Bodies (FDAB)

Sport & Recreation Alliance (SRA)

Theatre Dance Council International (TDCI)

“The IDTA is a great organisation with great opportunities! I really enjoy being a small part of the large IDTA community – everyone is always incredibly welcoming, helpful, professional and supportive. I am proud to be a member and proud of the association’s work that produces such excellent dancers!”

IDTA member

At the heart of dance

One of the world’s largest dance examination boards, the IDTA aims to:

The IDTA is an Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales recognised awarding organisation and a member of:

One of the world’s largest dance examination boards,
the IDTA aims to:

The IDTA is an Ofqual, CCEA and Qualifications Wales recognised awarding organisation
and a member of: