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DANCERS, Become a great dancer FAST and KNOW how to share your knowledge of dance in both private and group settings!
DANCE CAREER: Follow your dreams and become a highly qualified Dance Instructor! DanceWell is THE place to learn to be a teacher and be hired by the NW's best Dance Studios.
In our FOUR MONTH SESSION learn 15 steps in two dances as both leader and follower, and the technique for the two dances as well as information about effective teaching and choreography.
Training class is Wednesdays from 8-10pm. COST: $200/month for 4 months, 8/hrs month.
Include the DanceWell Social Program and practice for an additional $75/month. DanceWell's Social Program includes 44 group classes and 6 parties each month, plus you additionally receive 4 trainee practice hours and reduced rates for private lessons (A value of over $400). It is highly suggested that students plan for extra time commitment for this class and include this benefit package as well as plan for extra personal study time.
To enroll contact us!
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START WITH ANY SESSION YOU WISH!
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DanceWell's INTENSIVE PROGRAM is the same nation-wide Teacher Training Program patented by Ballroom Dance Teachers College in San Francisco -- and created by teaching expert Diane Jarmolow. www.teachballroomdancing.com -- find the same course in other areas of the country! (Take lesson 12 in one state and lesson 13 in another!). Some of the world's top dance instructors, ballroom professionals and dance champions have started their careers or enhanced their abilities at the BDTC.
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Improve your dancing -- QUICKLY
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Learn both Leader and Follower parts
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Learn 17 dances of the DVIDA Bronze American Syllabus for Smooth, Rhythm, and Night Club dances inside and out: WALTZ & FOXTROT; TANGO & VIENNESE WALTZ (Smooth Sections); and CHA CHA, & RUMBA; EAST COAST SWING & BOLERO (Latin Rhythm I); and SAMBA & MERENGUE; MAMBO & WEST COAST SWING (Latin Rhythm II); and HUSTLE & NIGHTCLUB TWO STEP; and finally SALSA, ARGENTINE TANGO & LINDY HOP (Nightclub)
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10-15 figures in each dance
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Learn technical and musical elements of all the dances
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Learn how to effectively share your knowledge
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Prepare for STUDENT MEDALS EXAMINATIONS
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Prepare for DVIDA TEACHER CERTIFICATION should you decide to become a dance instructor
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EXAMS ARE OPTIONAL. Anyone is welcome to audit the course which means no exams. However, this structured program includes homework and exams for those who wish to officially complete the course.
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No partner is necessary
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Extra time commitment IS necessary for successful completion of the course
DVIDA (Dance Vision International Dance Association) is a member of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), which is the governing organization for Ballroom Dancing in the United States. DVIDA certification is highly recognized and sought after in the United States by dance studios, boosting your potential for employment and giving you the opportunity to receive a higher salary.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Dancing both roles
In order to share or teach a specific dance or figure, you need to be able to articulate and demonstrate both the leaders and followers 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.
Presentations (Homework)
Because this is also a teaching class, there is a strong emphasis on presentation. You will have option to present material to the class or demonstrate a figure on a regular basis. Don't worry, you may monitor the class rather than be graded.
Basic Schedule
MONTH #1 & #2 -- figures 1-7 of two dances (Waltz and Foxtrot for example) are learned in seven classes. This includes all the varying elements of each step, how to take it, the sway, the lead/follow... On the eighth class is an exam with a presentation of theory and dancing, and an open-book exam. MONTH #3 & #4 -- figures 8-15 of the two dances with theory and dancing exam presentations the final week.
Additional Training Preparation & Practicas
Your optional tuition of $75 entitles you to most of the classes, parties and workshops offered by DanceWell. This includes 6 parties monthly and usually 11 group classes weekly. as well as Training Practica sessions with other trainees.
You will get free entry for group classes and workshops (where you are required to fill in as leader or follower as needed), and parties. A complete list of classes and workshops can be found on the CALENDAR page.
Please note: You must have the proper skill level required for classes and be able to dance as either Lead or Follow. Celebrity guest workshops taught by visiting teachers are not included.
INTENSIVE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Attendance
This is a professional level course, and we cover a lot of material at a 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 or even better to schedule private lessons with Linda (for an additional private lesson fee) to make up any work you miss.
Class Times and Exams
Intensive classes meet on Wednesdays from 8-10pm. Exams for those who wish to officially complete the course are scheduled once every two months. If you miss an exam, you may schedule a make-up exam with Linda (for an additional private lesson fee, usually one-half hour). We encourage all trainees to attend the exams whether they take the exam themselves or not. There is much to learn even watching and giving feedback.
Practice
As in a college course there is extra time commitment to be successful in this course. An additional one to four more hours of practice and study each week for those committed to the process is highly suggested. Usually one hour of study time for every hour you spend in class (about four or so hours of study time per week) is helpful. Doing well takes dedication and practice. Attending weekly 1-hour practicas with other trainees and taking advantage of the general practica at DanceWell Social classes and parties offered, along with your own personal study time. That's a great offering for just $75
Materials
The DVIDA Manuals (please see Schedule above for which manual for each session) and the NBDTA Binder are required textbooks for the course. The accompanying DVIDA videos or dvds are recommended, but optional. The DVIDA Bronze Manuals and videos are available from Dance Vision, and may be ordered online at www.dancevision.com, or by calling 1-800-851-2813. The NBDTA Binder is provided in class and costs a one-time fee of $75.00. It includes all class handouts that are distributed over the entire program.
Shoes
All students will be expected to have proper dance shoes by the second class meeting. This is not an arbitrary aesthetic or fashion consideration. To teach dance, you need the "right tool for the job," and proper dance shoes are literally the foundation for your dancing!
There are different styles of dance shoes for different styles of dancing, but most BDTC students wear a basic "practice shoe," a practical and durable suede-soled dancing shoe that is made to be comfortable and wearable for long periods. Some students wear flashier shoes or high heeled dance shoes, but this is a matter of personal comfort.
You can purchase dance shoes from any dance shoe retailer.
TUITION AND COSTS FOR GROUP TRAINING
TUITION FOR THE CURRENT COURSE IS: $200/4-weeks. Add all DanceWell's weekly Social classes and parties as well for an additional $75. Please note that tuition may be increased every January to reflect the current market.
A one-time charge for the Ballroom Teachers College Workbook is $95 plus shipping and handling (covered in the $100 non-refundable deposit). This workbook includes materials for ALL 17 dances of the program. Also, Individual manuals are required for each dance style: Smooth, Rhythm & Nightclub. You will order these through DanceVision (see below).
Tuition is due the first class of each new month. Students who make a late tuition payment will be accessed a $15 late fee. Tuition can be paid in class by check, or with VISA or MASTERCARD.
TUITION FOR ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING
Tuition is currently $480 per quarter plus $70 per hour for private instruction. Each group class of the training is 2 hours long and can usually be completed in one or one and one-half hours privately. That would be $105 per class and there are 32 classes per quarter. After tuition the cost depends on how quickly the materials and tests are completed. Generally between $3700 and $3800.
The benefit of One-to-One Training is that of having less time commitment. Students can schedule at their convenience and finish whenever the lesson plans are complete.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR TRAINING
Students are invited to audit the course, just as in any college course. In this case class presentations and exams are not required and a Certificate of Completion for the course is not presented at end of course. (It is asked that you be present at exams in any case.)
Employment Opportunities
The DanceWell Program offers Teacher Trainees opportunities to assist classes and may offer teaching positions to top graduates of the Teacher Training Program, based on the needs of the studio at that time.
"The mighty oak was once a little nut who held it's ground"