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 large international group that teaches and examines dance. It is based in London, England. This group is a registered charity. It started on July 25, 1904, as the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers.
The ISTD offers training and exams in many dance styles. They also have courses to become a certified dance teacher. The ISTD is recognized by important education groups. It also holds many dance competitions. These include Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Ballet, and Tap Dance. They also include newer styles like Disco Freestyle.
The ISTD has two main parts. One is for Dancesport, which covers dances usually done in a ballroom. The other is for Theatre dance, for stage and film. The Cecchetti Society is also part of the ISTD. It helps keep the Cecchetti method of classical ballet alive.
Contents
The Story of ISTD: How It Began
The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers started on July 25, 1904. This happened at the Hotel Cecil in Covent Garden, London. Robert Morris Crompton was its first leader.
The first ISTD meeting was held in 1906. Since then, a meeting has happened every year. Only during the war years was there a short break. Their magazine, Dance Journal, first came out in September 1907. It is now called DANCE.
In 1924, different dance groups were formed. These later became the "faculties" we know today. In 1925, the group changed its name. It became the "Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance". In 1945, the ISTD became an official company. Victor Silvester took on the new role of 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. Many other dance groups have used the ISTD's medal test idea. The ISTD helped make these medal tests popular. They are now used widely across the UK and around the world.
How ISTD Works Today
The ISTD is a recognized dance teaching and exam group. It trains and certifies teachers. These teachers then teach dance to students. This happens in private dance schools and regular schools.
The ISTD offers different dance programs. These are often taught through medal tests or graded exams. The ISTD offers official qualifications. These can count towards national education frameworks. The ISTD is set up in three main parts. These are the Administrative Council, Faculty Boards, and Faculty Committees.
Who Leads the ISTD?
The Board of Trustees is in charge of running the ISTD. It includes leaders and elected members. Michael Elliott is the current ISTD Chair. This board makes the main decisions for the group. They approve ideas from the faculty boards and committees.
Important daily tasks are handled by executive members. There are also committees for money and hiring. The Board of Trustees also includes the Grand Council. This is a group of very respected dance experts.
Dance Styles: Faculty Boards
The ISTD's work is split into two main areas. These are the Dancesport Faculties Board and the Theatre Faculties Board. These two boards manage the work of the faculty committees. The committees are grouped by similar dance styles.
For example, the Dancesport board includes dances done in ballrooms. These are for social dancing and competitions. The Theatre board focuses on dances for stage or film.
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Dance Style Committees
The ISTD has twelve faculty committees. These are divided between the two main Faculty Boards. Each committee works on the artistic and technical growth of a specific dance style.
A committee's job includes improving the dance programs. They also manage and control the exams. They organize classes, teacher training, and other events.
ISTD Dance Exams
The ISTD is mainly a dance exam board. Its teachers teach dance programs to students. Most people who learn the ISTD program dance for fun. The ISTD has a clear exam system for all levels. This goes from beginners to professional dancers.
For higher levels, ISTD teachers can train people to dance professionally. This includes becoming a performer or a dance teacher. Most dance subjects have a series of graded exams. These start with Pre-Primary and Primary levels. Then they go up through numbered Grades (Grade 1, Grade 2, and so on). There are also Vocational graded exams at Intermediate, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2 levels. Some dance subjects have different exam systems. Some offer medal tests or other awards.
Grade Exams for All Ages
The grade system is great for students of different ages. It's also a good base for dance in schools. You can take Grade Examinations in many styles. These include Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap, and Latin American. Grades 1-6 are officially recognized. Some dance styles have extra grades before Grade 1. These are Pre-Primary and Primary.
Class Exams
Class Examinations are available for some dance styles. These include Classical Ballet, Classical Greek, Tap, and Modern Theatre.
Medal Tests for Dancers
Medal tests are available in many styles. These include Modern Ballroom, Latin American, and Disco Freestyle. The levels go from Under 6 and Under 8. Then they move to Social Dance Test and Pre-Bronze Dance Test. After that, there are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Star awards. There are even higher awards for Dancesport medals.
Vocational Grades for Advanced Dancers
The Vocational Grades are officially recognized. They include Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2. These exams connect the regular Grades to 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 can teach dance well. People who finish the training become official ISTD teachers. They can then enter their own students for exams. Some ISTD teachers continue their training. They can get more qualifications in other dance styles. There are different professional exams depending on where teachers live.
- For teachers in the European Union: You need the Diploma in Dance Instruction. Then you get the Diploma in Dance Education. After that, you can choose to go for Licentiate and Fellowship.
- For teachers outside the European Union: The qualifications are the Associate and the Associate Diploma. After getting the Associate Diploma, you can also go for Licentiate and Fellowship.
- For all Dancesport teachers worldwide: You can take the Student Teacher and Associate qualifications. After Associate, you can choose to go for Licentiate and Fellowship.
Famous People in ISTD History
- Beryl Grey was a top ballerina with the Royal Ballet. She performed all over the world. She was a leader in many dance groups. She was also a former president of the ISTD.
- Peggy Spencer was the president of the ISTD until 2016. She was a ballroom dancer, coach, and choreographer. She also commented on dance events on TV. She won many awards for her work in dance.
- Monsieur Pierre and Doris Lavelle visited Cuba. They helped change how Cuban-style 'rumba' and cha-cha-cha were taught. Their ideas are now part of the International style of Latin American dance. Pierre was very important in bringing Latin dances to England.
- Doreen Bird was a teacher, examiner, and leader in the ISTD. She was very important in modern theatre dance. Bird is best known for starting the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts. This is one of the UK's top dance colleges. Many of its students work in West End and Broadway musicals. The college also trains ISTD teachers.
- Betty Laine is a former dancer and teacher. She is also a leader and examiner for the ISTD. Laine is famous for starting Laine Theatre Arts. This is another top dance college in the UK. Its students also perform in West End and Broadway shows. This college also trains ISTD teachers.
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)
