Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing facts for kids
Official logo of the ISTD Examinations Board
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| Abbreviation | ISTD |
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| Formation | 1904 |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Dance education and examination board |
| Headquarters | ISTD Headquarters 22-26 Paul Street London EC2A 4QE  UK |
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Region served
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UK and overseas |
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Main organ
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Administrative Council |
| Website | www.istd.org |
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is a big international group for dance teachers and exams. It's based in London, England. This group is a charity that started on July 25, 1904.
The ISTD helps train dance teachers and offers exams in many dance styles. These styles include Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Ballet, and Tap Dance. They also cover newer styles like Disco Freestyle. The ISTD is recognized by important education groups in the UK. It also holds many dance competitions.
The ISTD has two main parts: Dancesport and Theatre. Dancesport focuses on dances usually done in a ballroom. Theatre dance is for performances on stage or in movies. The Cecchetti Society, which keeps the Cecchetti method of ballet alive, is also part of the ISTD.
Contents
A Look Back: ISTD History
The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers began on July 25, 1904. This happened at the Hotel Cecil in Covent Garden, London. Robert Morris Crompton was the first leader.
The first big ISTD meeting, called a congress, was in 1906. These meetings have happened every year since, except during wars. Their magazine, Dance Journal (now called DANCE), first came out in September 1907.
In 1924, different dance groups within the society were formed. These later became the "faculties." In 1925, the group changed its name to the "Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance." By 1945, the ISTD became an official company. Victor Silvester became its new chairman.
In 1953, the Grand Council of the ISTD was created. Important people from British society joined this council. It helps the ISTD connect with key people in arts and culture.
The ISTD is well-known for its "medal tests." These tests let dancers earn medals as they improve. The ISTD helped make this medal system popular across the UK and worldwide. Many other dance groups have used the ISTD's medal test idea.
How ISTD Works Today
The ISTD is a recognized group for dance teaching and exams. It trains and certifies teachers to teach its dance programs. Students can learn these programs in private dance schools or regular schools.
The ISTD offers dance programs in many styles. Students usually take "medal tests" or "graded examinations." The ISTD offers qualifications that can count towards national education credits.
The ISTD is set up in three main parts:
- The Administrative Council (also called the Board of Trustees)
- Faculty Boards
- Faculty Committees
The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is in charge of how the ISTD is run. It includes leaders and elected members. Michael Elliott is the current Chair. This board makes the main decisions for the organization. They also review ideas from the faculty boards and committees.
Important daily tasks are handled by executive members. There are also committees for money and choosing new members. The Board of Trustees also includes the Grand Council. This is a group of very skilled dance professionals.
Dance Style Boards: Faculty Boards
The ISTD's work is split into two main areas. These are the Dancesport Faculties Board and the Theatre Faculties Board. These boards manage the work of the faculty committees. They group similar dance styles together.
For example, the Dancesport board includes dances often done in a ballroom. These are for social dancing or competitions. The Theatre board, as its name suggests, covers dances for stage or film.
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Dance Style Committees: Faculty Committees
The ISTD has twelve faculty committees. These are divided between the two main Faculty Boards. Each committee is in charge of developing a specific dance style within the ISTD.
Their work includes:
- Improving the dance programs for their style.
- Managing and checking exams.
- Organizing lessons, teacher training, and other events.
Dance Exams and Qualifications
The ISTD is mainly a dance exam board. Its teacher members teach the dance programs to students. Most people who learn the ISTD program dance for fun. The ISTD has a clear exam system for students of all levels. This goes from beginners to professional dancers.
For higher levels, ISTD teachers can train people who want to dance professionally. This could be as a performer or a dance teacher. Most dance subjects have a series of graded exams. These start with Pre-Primary & Primary levels. Then they go through numbered Grades (Grade 1, Grade 2, etc.). There are also Vocational graded exams at Intermediate, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 levels. Some subjects have different exam systems, like medal tests.
Grade Exams
The grade system is great for different ages of students. It's also a good way to teach dance in schools. You can take Grade Examinations in many styles. These include Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap, and Modern Ballroom. Grades 1-6 are officially recognized. Some dance styles have extra grades before Grade 1, like Pre-Primary and Primary.
Class Exams
Class Examinations can be taken in Classical Ballet, Classical Greek, Tap, and Modern Theatre.
Medal Tests
Medal tests are available in styles like Modern Ballroom, Latin American, and Disco Freestyle. The levels go from Under 6, Under 8, Social Dance Test, Pre-Bronze Dance Test, to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and higher awards for Dancesport medals.
Vocational Grades
The Vocational Grades are officially recognized. They include Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2. These exams help bridge the gap between the regular Grades and professional dance training.
Becoming a Dance Teacher
Dancers who pass high-level ISTD exams can train to become teachers. This training happens at approved dance centers. It includes both theory and practical exams. These exams show if a person has the skills and knowledge to teach dance.
People who finish the training become registered ISTD teachers. They can then enter their own students for exams. Some ISTD teachers continue their training to get more qualifications in other dance styles. There are different professional exams depending on where teachers live.
- For Theatre Exams in the European Union: Teachers need to get the Diploma in Dance Instruction. Then they get the Diploma in Dance Education. After that, they can choose to go for Licentiate and Fellowship.
- For Theatre Exams in the Rest of the World: The qualifications are the Associate and the Associate Diploma. Teachers can enter students for exams after their Associate exam. Once they have their Associate Diploma, they can go for Licentiate and Fellowship.
- For Dancesport Exams Worldwide: The Student Teacher and Associate qualifications can be taken. In the European Union, candidates can also take Foundation in Dance Instruction and Certificate in Dance Education in some dance styles. After Associate, candidates can choose to go for Licentiate and Fellowship.
Famous People Connected to ISTD
- Beryl Grey was a famous ballet dancer. She was a principal ballerina with the Royal Ballet. She was also a former president of the ISTD.
- Peggy Spencer was the president of the ISTD until she passed away in 2016. She was a ballroom dancer, coach, and TV commentator. She won many awards for her work in dance.
- Monsieur Pierre and Doris Lavelle helped change how Cuban-style rumba and cha-cha-cha were taught. Their ideas became part of the International style of Latin American dance. Pierre was very important in bringing Latin dances to England.
- Doreen Bird was a key person in the modern theatre dance part of the ISTD. She is most famous for starting the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts. This is one of the UK's top dance colleges. Many of its students have performed in West End and Broadway musicals. The college also trains ISTD teachers.
- Betty Laine is a former dancer and teacher. She is also a Fellow and examiner for the ISTD. Laine is best known for starting Laine Theatre Arts. This is another leading dance college in the UK. Its students also perform in major musicals. This college is also an approved center for ISTD teacher training.
See also
- UKA Dance
- International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA)
- Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
- British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD)
- British Ballet Organization (BBO)
- National Association of Teachers of Dancing (NATD)
