RhodaKuc

Never too late to enjoy ballet class! I love teaching my adult classes with ages ranging from 19 to 60+ . I am happy to encourage working for exams too with members of the classes taking syllabus Grades and Classwork Assessment exams as well as individual and team Medal exams. I have one or two gentlemen in class regularly and it is great to have the opportunity to work on the male syllabus and technique. We had one gentleman join us as a beginner in his early/mid-forties, he worked through the grades and on to Intermediate as well as taking medals from Bronze through to Gold Bar 2 - passing all with Distinction/Honours. He was working on Gold Bar 3 and Advanced 1 when he moved away. He also worked on Pas de deux which featured in our dance school shows, where the adults are invited to take part alongside our students.

Porselli have Bloch sheer striped warm ups in black if that helps x

Your teacher will have a list of "Technical Requirements" for the exam syllabus (including a glossary of steps learnt in the grade to add to all the previously learnt steps/terminology). This should be explored during lessons when learning new steps and incorporating them into the grade exercises and by setting practice enchainement's/ free-work. Perhaps your teacher may share this list with you? R

Hello, I have a similar problem with my feet - fitters always look to put me in a wider shoe as my foot looks wide across the metatarsals, but I sink in as my feet get slimmer en pointe! e.g. fitter suggests Grishko 2007 Pro in 3.5, XX. I feel happier in a 4, X. Admittedly, there can be a little shank twist to start but once I am in them and soften the box a little the shoe fits perfectly - no sinking in. (I also like the Bloch Axis TMT but do have a 3.5, X in these - I like the curved last shape and lower profile box).

In order to attain the lowest teaching qualification within IDTA the requirement is to A - Provide evidence of an understanding of safe teaching practice, risk assessment and health and safety within the dance studio/ classroom - portfolio/ written evidence etc. Assessed by examiner/ head office. B - study the syllabus for Prep to Grade 2 and be examined on knowledge of development of students and the technique required as well as an understanding of music and suitable alternative exercises and build ups etc at this level. Face to face examination by an IDTA examiner - Pre-Associate 1, not yet a qualification to teach. C - As for B above for Grades 3 to 5 with Face to face examination by an IDTA examiner - Pre-Associate 2, not yet a qualification to teach. D - Undertake study of Anatomy and Physiology and successfully pass the IDTA Anatomy and Physiology Diploma examination, not yet qualified to teach. E - Study the Intermediate syllabus, if under 21years the candidate will be required to take the examination, if older you may just study the syllabus, though most will take the exam where possible. The candidate is expected to understand the build up of physical development, technique and content of the syllabus being able to count and discuss faults and corrections etc. in examination with a senior IDTA examiner. The candidate will be required to provide alternative music and create alternative exercises of an appropriate level. The candidate will also be required to teach a free class in front of the examiner, the content of which is decided/ given during the exam to the candidate. At this point, assuming all is achieved to a satisfactory level the candidate may be awarded the Level 4 Diploma (New name for the qualification replacing the previous "Associate") The candidate will only then be admitted to membership of the IDTA and be able to teach as such. Teachers may progress by studying the higher vocational grades to attain Licentiate and then Fellowship. I hope this clarifies things. RK

I am sorry to read the previous post with concerns regarding the IDTA - I have been following this thread and am distressed that it may lead to such thoughts. I am sure that there are good and bad teachers within any organisation. The OP said that the former principal "taught from the IDTA syllabus". Is the new principal also qualified with the IDTA and to what level? Is this in the core Theatre genres including Ballet? I would advise checking the teaching qualifications. I am a Fellow of the IDTA, specialising in Ballet. Currently I am teaching 2 classes which both happen to have 12 year old students. However, due to their different backgrounds one is a Grade 2 class where the students came late to ballet and are working alongside younger girls. While in the other class where the students have been attending since baby ballet classes, we are about to begin some pointe work as we prepare to work on the Intermediate syllabus alongside girls of this age or slightly older (up to 16 years). I would not think of mixing the two as there is a world of difference in technical requirement/ development between the grades. For information: The Syllabus currently ranges from Preparatory, Primary and Grades 1 to 5 (we have had a syllabus change to remove Grade 6 as part of Ofqual/QCF accreditation). In transition between the Grades and Intermediate we offer our "Classical Ballet Award 1" syllabus and between Inter and Adv 1 there is Classical Ballet Award 2. I agree that training as a teacher cannot be achieved in such a short space of time! RK

Just to clarify, in terms of qualification to teach with the IDTA. AIDTA (Associate)is indeed a full teaching qualification, the examination ensures the candidate is capable of teaching with technical knowledge of the syllabus throughout the Grades and up to Intermediate. There are multiple parts to the examination with both written/portfolio and practical components and the candidate is required to achieve a Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology. The Associate qualification has recently been updated to a Level 4 Diploma in Dance Teaching. LITDA (Licentiate)this qualification (written/portfolio and practical) takes the examination of teaching competency/ technical knowledge to Advanced 1 level. FIDTA (Fellowship) is the highest qualification level with the exam(written/portfolio and practical) focussing on the teaching/technical syllabus requirements up to Advanced 2. Hope this helps RK (FIDTA)

Has anyone applied for this? Auditions today! RK

Just returned from seeing Aladdin at the Key Theatre, Peterborough with my dd. We both enjoyed the performance, excellent costuming, creative choreography, quality acting and humour with beautiful dancing. Particularly enjoyed the Geni "flying" and his pdd with slave of the ring and the final pdd for Aladdin and the Princess was lovely! Unfortunately the theatre was only half full, we applauded as loudly as we could, but felt the dancers deserved more. We will definitely look forward to seeing more from this company in the future. RK

I don't have experience of ballet in Hull, but I have met Miss Hooper on several occasions through the IDTA (she a member of and has been chair of the Ballet committee who devise and oversee the ballet syllabus). I have participated in two workshops on the IDTA Advanced 1 Ballet syllabus and attended lectures on the new IDTA syllabus Grades presented by Vanessa Hooper and some of her very talented youngsters. She is a truly inspirational teacher, I came away from her lectures filled with, if that is possible, even more enthusiasm for ballet (not to mention after the Adv 1, a few aches the next day!). So, I am not surprised she and her school are so successful in bringing out the best in their students! RK

I do know of schools (IDTA) who happily provide teacher training to others from outside their own students etc. Sometimes though schools struggle to find enough studio time to fit any more in! Perhaps you were just unlucky! RK

At our studio the classes usually alternate Modern Jazz with Theatre Craft to give a change of focus and time to develop between Grades too! RK

Re: IDTA Dance Syllabi: I have taken both the IDTA Modern Jazz and Theatre Craft at Intermediate level (As an add-on to Ballet). They have different focus and I can say that the Modern Jazz was fantastic in terms of developing core strength, alignment, special awareness and control along with a great range of dance styles from early Jazz/Charleston to a current "chart" number via a range of traditional and abstract music all in one exam! Whilst feeling like a rebel in working in parallel in bare feet, it was great fun! The Theatre craft was different again with the focus on stagecraft and show style performance in developing flexibility for in-ward and out-ward round (fan) kicks! While mostly wearing ballet/light Jazz shoes there is also a large proportion working in heels, and a requirement for a "prop" routine. There is no singing TC, but a focus on counting vocally in some exercises with a view to preparing perhaps for becoming a "dance captain". My daughter has followed the Musical Theatre syllabus which does involve singing and monologues as well as group exams where a short piece of drama is taken from a Musical along with a song and dance number. As you can see all three together offer a slightly different view of dance as a performance art. Below are extracts from the IDTA web-site on these styles. Modern Jazz: Modern Jazz is fun. You will learn to develop many different movements reaching to a broad choice of varying rhythms and musical styles. Classes are structured to begin to prepare the physical strength and flexibility required to demonstrate emotion through interpretation of any musical genre, one minute you may be dancing to the rhythm of a drum, the next to a funky jazz style. You may explore contrast between expansion and relaxation or learn to isolate in a slick stylish mood, whatever the atmosphere of the class, it will be a wonderful opportunity to react and interact with other members of the class and really dance to express your feelings. Theatre Craft: The exciting Theatre Craft syllabus exists to develop the versatile show dancer. Full to the brim with varied styles including Musical Theatre, Pantomime, Cabaret and Commercial Dance. Essential elements - kicks, turns, and rhythmic awareness are all explored, whilst props and accessories are used to assist the styles. The fully orchestrated musical pieces add to the excitement and atmosphere of this unique performance based syllabus. Musical Theatre: So you wanna be a star? Or maybe you just want to have the moves - and the fun - of the stars. So start with the IDTA's Musical Theatre Syllabus! A fusion of all modern music and dance styles, Musical Theatre takes you to inspirational heights. The spotlight's on you! Hope this helps! RK

Wildflowers, if you really want a good course on pointe shoes then I can recommend the course run by Grishko. The course is primarily aimed at people who wish to stock their shoes in their shops etc. but I went along out of interest during my teacher training to add to my own personal experiences with pointe shoes. They said that they are pleased to see others on the course. It is a whole day course with a session on anatomy and physiology of the foot etc. before moving on to the practical fitting of shoes. Just go to the Grishko uk website, if the next course is not yet advertised then send an email as they have previously kept a list of interested people and then set up a course when there was enough interest. Hope this is helpful! RK

Re: IDTA Classical Awards 1 and 2, they follow on from the grades, with increased difficulty of steps/technique etc. They are designed to encourage artistry and performance, there is no pointe work and there are no "unseen enchainements". The CAs are also useful to provide an alternative to those who either are not suitable for or do not wish to engage pointe but still want to progress their ballet experience. In terms of content then it would be useful/usual to take CA1 before Intermediate then CA2 before Adv1. But you could take both at any point. Some schools don't offer them at all. Personally, having taken them both and thoroughly enjoyed them and the break from the stress of Inter, Adv1 and Adv2, I would highly recommend them. Hope this is of interest, RK

Hello, In your other posts you say you are studying to take your IDTA Intermediate and IDTA Associate (I assume in Ballet also) exam. As you will have studied the IDTA syllabus in depth by the time you are ready to take your Associate exam, why would you not then teach the syllabus? Surely, if you want to teach (and enter children for exams?) under the RAD syllabus you will also need to be qualified through their system, especially as the syllabus has also changed in recent years. If you are receiving coaching for the IDTA Ballet Associate, would the same teacher be able to help with Tap, Jazz, Theatre Craft Associates and Musical Theatre Diploma also? That way in time you can add the different components to your teaching portfolio and be able to offer the subjects with confidence to your potential students. Even if you don't want to go down the exam route in all subjects for your student at the moment. Just a few, hopefully helpful thoughts, RK

Tesco - I recommend their nude range for dance underwear and they also do them in Black (Various styles from thong to full with high leg). RK

Hello, I teach IDTA, but cannot say how the grades would fit alongside ISTD, especially as the IDTA grades have just completed a revision of syllabus (I would assume that each school would have students placed in the appropriate grade for their ability), obviously there may be differences between boards. As fro as the IDTA medal tests are concerned - see extract from IDTA web-site below - they range from Rosettes for little ones to take with their teacher as a preparation for the exam setting, through various levels (Bronze ~ G3, Silver ~G4/5, Gold >G5 etc) with Gold bars etc advancing with the performers levels (Inter/Adv1/Adv2 etc). They give the student an outlet for performance as from Bronze onwards they require 2 dances of contrasting style including Character/ National as well as Classical Ballet and students appreciate this "break" from Grade exam work. They are fun for the teacher too! "The Association offers a wide variety of tests and awards for amateur / social dancers including Rosettes, Stardance Awards, Pre-juvenile Groups Awards, Preparatory and Primary Grades; plus a wide range of medal tests in many genres, from one dance through Bronze, Silver and Gold medals and advancing through the Bars, Stars and President's Awards to the International Supreme Award. For the medal tests and higher awards, the dances are choreographed by the teacher and build in length and complexity. The Association also offers social dance awards, and team awards." Hope this helps, Rx

As said above, the limitation is one grade per subject per session, but each candidate can do several different exams in one session. So ballet and tap is fine. Definitely no teachers operating music and I would have an older student rather than a parent on the music. We use folding screens to hide the music operator. Don't forget to cover mirrors too! With your membership welcome pack you should have received some info on running a successful exam session, this is also available on the members area of the IDTA website along with all sorts of useful info and forms etc. Head office are very helpful, via phone or email with specific queries and examiners are also very helpful, you will probably be in contact with him or her prior to your session to confirm details such as session timings, directions, accommodation if needed and any special requirements for meal breaks etc. Examiners are generally very understanding and happy to advise, especially if you are new to the board. Hope this helps - good luck with your exam session!

Before one can actually take one's first Associate teaching examination it is usually ( there are exceptions, but these would be discussed with IDTA Head Office in advance) necessary to have passed an Anatomy and Physiology Diploma and to have studied the Grades Syllabus from Preparatory to Grade 2 which is assessed by taking the Pre-Associate Part 1 examination and likewise Grades 3 to 5 with assessment in the Pre-Associate Part 2 examination. So as you can see there is so much more to be considered other than which grade you have taken. Even if you have passed exams to a higher level in another board you will still require in depth knowledge of the syllabus in order to discuss teaching methods and exercise build-ups etc. In the case of someone who had only reached Grade 3-4 themselves I would think it essential to "catch up" in order to have the required knowledge and understanding of what is required to hone the correct ballet technique for the movements required before trying to communicate them to others. These are just my thoughts - perhaps speaking to your DDs teacher would be useful. Also if you contact the IDTA they would be able to put you in touch with one of the Ballet Faculty members who would be able to advise you in depth. Hope I have been of help, RK

In order to pursue the IDTA Associate examination it is necessary to have taken the Intermediate examination if you are under 21. If you are older you may take the Associate examination without actually taking the Intermediate exam. You will however have studied the Intermediate syllabus in detail as discussion and practical demonstration of teaching this syllabus is required in the technical section of the Associate examination. (Likewise with Advanced 1 for the Licentiate and Advanced 2 for the Fellowship examinations). Hope this helps, RK

Hello, If you have searched I think you have probably come across some of my previous posts! I believe the information to be still relevant. If you have contacted the IDTA via the website I am sure they will provide the information you need. I have completed the IDTA teacher training through Pre-Associates, Anatomy Diploma, Associate, Licentiate and am proud to say I passed the Ballet Fellowship examination in May last year! If you would like any more help please let me know. RK

Taking en pointe to the extreme I think! http://www.boredpanda.com/ballerina-with-knife-shoes-performs-en-pointe-javier-perez/ RK

The grand jete en tournant should indeed be executed with both legs meeting / passing at the height of the jump. The next development would then be to beat them! If they were not both there this would not be possible - something to aim for!!! RK

Like Moomin mine was a return after a long break (22yrs!!). I had been taking my daughter to class and sat in the waiting room I would get a bubble of excitement watching people coming and going and remembered that I used to love this. I asked her teacher if there was a class I could join - explaining at her quizzical looks that I had danced previously! As there was no Adult class she put me in a class with older teenagers to mid-twenties (working on IDTA Classical Award - post grade 6/ pre intermediate level). I duely bought my leo, tights and shoes and nervously went along at the alloted time. I joined in with the exercises and was immediately swept along in the world of ballet music and terminology. I was so excited by the time I finished and when I got home it took at least 2 hours to come down from the high of rediscovering my passion for ballet............! RK