Certification

When you complete one of the BDA's Teacher Training Programs (taking all of the exams and handing in all of the homework) you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Ballroom Dance Academy. This is a valuable accomplishment, and it will serve as a wonderful credential for your dance resume. However, the BDA Certificate of Completion is different than professional certification.

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 BDA 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?

The Professional Certification process offers extraordinary benefits to dance teachers, deeply enriching their dancing and teaching, and greatly expanding their career opportunities. Diane Jarmolow, the Director of the Ballroom Dance Teacher's College 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.

Why DVIDA?

DVIDA's Reputation

DVIDA, the Certification branch of Dance Vision, was created with the same high standard of excellence for which Dance Vision is known. The syllabus and exam structure were immediately approved by the National Dance Council of America, and the industry response has been overwhelming: the DVIDA certification system is hailed as excellent, professional, and fair. The manuals and corresponding videos were created by U.S. champion dancers and offer the highest quality instruction. Dance Vision’s commitment to the dance community is unparalleled, with cutting edge products and services, prompt and friendly customer service, and innovative programs to help dancers grow and improve at every stage.

“One Dance At A Time”

Another advantage to certifying with DVIDA is that you can take your professional certification exams “One Dance at a Time.” For example, the Bronze American Style Ballroom certification includes four dances: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz. With other organizations, you would need to study, prepare and present all four dances in one exam. With DVIDA's exams, you have the option of testing in each dance separately, one at a time. This makes preparation much easier: you learn the material more thoroughly when you’re not overwhelmed “cramming” four at once; each successive test becomes less stressful and more comfortable as you know what to expect; and you can improve your performance each time based on the examiner’s previous feedback. After successfully completing each dance exam, you receive a “Certificate of Completion” for that dance, and full certification when you have successfully tested in all of the dances at a particular level.

See the Schedule of Classes