Dance Examination Boards UK - Our Guide and Quick Reference List

"Confused about the different dancing exam boards? We’ve compiled a list of dance exam boards to help clarify the differences between them all. If you aren’t sure which exam board your child is taking exams with, check their examination certificates or reports – alternatively, if you’re unsure, ask your child’s dance teacher. Dance exam boards guide: Royal Academy of Dance Acronym: RAD Previous Names: Association of Teachers of Operatic Dancing, Royal Academy of Dancing Founded: 1920 Dance styles: Ballet (exams incorporate classical ballet, free movement and character work). Interesting Facts:

• The RAD has over 8000 registered teachers in 84 countries
• The RAD was granted a Royal Charter in 1936 and, the following year, it was awarded its coat of arms by the College of Arms
• In 2012, Dame Darcey Bussell was elected as President of the RAD. Past Presidents include Dame Adeline Genée, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Dame Antoinette Sibley

Did you know? Dancewear Central stock a range of the RAD approved Freed of London uniform here. Website: www.royalacademyofdance.org Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Acronym: ISTD Previous Names: Imperial Society of Dance Teachers Founded: 1904 Dance styles: Imperial Classical Ballet, Cecchetti Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, Tap Dance, Classical Greek Dance, Classical Indian Dance, National Dance, Disco/Freestyle/Rock’n’Roll (DFR), Latin American, Modern Ballroom, Sequence Interesting Facts:

• The ISTD has more than 7500 members in over 65 countries
• Dame Beryl Grey is Honorary Life President of the ISTD
• Each year, the ISTD host prestigious dance competitions with students entering from across the UK and abroad. Prizes range from free training days to monetary prizes. Competitions include the Janet Cram Awards, Imperial Classical Ballet Junior Awards, Imperial Classical Ballet Senior Awards, Star Tap Challenge, Malaysian Awards, Grandison Clark Awards, Ruby Ginner Awards, DFR National Grand Finals Day, Cecchetti Children’s Awards, Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Competition and The Baines Hewitt Award

Website: www.istd.org International Dance Teachers Association Acronym: IDTA Previous Names: The IDTA was formed by the merging of the Dance Teachers’ Association (DTA) and International Dancing Masters Association (IDMA), among others. Founded: 1967, but the earliest founding association was established in 1903 Dance styles: Argentine Tango, Ballet, Belly Dancing, Cha Cha Cha, Cheerleading, Dance Exercise, Freestyle, Foxtrot, Gymnastic Dance, Jive, Line Dancing, Modern Jazz, Musical Theatre, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Rock’n’Roll, Rumba, Salsa, Samba, Sequence, Street, Tango, Tap, Theatre Craft, Viennese Waltz, Waltz Interesting Facts:

• The IDTA has over 7000 members in over 55 countries
• The IDTA organises the well-known competitions Miss Dance of Great Britain and Dance Master UK
• In 2006, Arlene Phillips OBE was awarded an Honorary Membership of the IDTA. She is also a Patron of the association

Website: www.idta.co.uk bbodance Previous Names: British Ballet Organisation Founded: 1930 Dance styles: Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern Dance Interesting Facts:

• The exam board went through a major re-brand in 2016, led by new artistic directors William Trevitt and Michael Nunn (BalletBoyz founders)
• bbodance offer a Scholars Scheme to complement training given by a student’s regular bbodance dance teacher. Entry to the scheme is by audition only and these classes are held in London, Manchester and Edinburgh
• For over 80 years, bbodance has had a large presence in Australasia (Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and New Zealand)

Did you know? Dancewear Central are the approved supplier of the BBO approved uniform. Website: https://bbo.dance National Association of Teachers of Dancing Acronym: NATD Founded: 1906 Dance styles: National Ballet, Ballroom, Classic Ballet (Russian Method), Contemporary Dance, Freestyle and Street Dance, Gymnastic Dance, Latin American, Modern Stage, National Tap, Sequence, Stage Branch Tap, Adult Fit, Alternative Rhythms (including Argentine Tango, Mambo, Merengue and Salsa), Rock & Roll, Country & Western Interesting Facts:

• The NATD currently has members in 26 countries, including Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong
• Patrons of the NATD include Anton du Beke, Len Goodman (also a Life Member), Janette Manrara, David Needham, Craig Revel Horwood, Angela Rippon CBE, Aljaz Skorjanec, Ian Waite, and Robin Windsor
• The NATD offer a wide range of examinations from childrens’ graded examinations to professional qualifications. Students are able to take medal exams, too. Annually, the NATD offer an award examination, available only for that year, recognising an outstanding member or significant milestone in the association’s history. These have included the Craig Revel Horwood Award, Len Goodman Award, 100 Years Award and Angela Rippon Award

Website: www.natd.org.uk British Association of Teachers of Dancing Acronym: BATD Founded: 1892 Dance styles: Acro/Gymnastic, Ballet, Ballroom (including Classical, Club Latino and Latin), Cheer Pom, Country Western, European National, Freestyle (including Freestyle and Hip Hop/Street), Highland Dance, Jazz (including Contemporary Dance, Jazz and Lyrical Dance), Majorette, Modern Dance, Special Needs, Stage Dance, Step Dancing and Tap Dancing Interesting Facts:

• While named the British Association of Teachers of Dancing, the BATD is represented in the Malta, Canada, America, Australia, South Africa, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belarus, Latvia, Korea and many other countries
• Each year, the BATD hosts an annual competition with students competing for the title of BATD Scholarship Winner and Dancer of the Year – this is available in Highland, Freestyle and Theatre branches
• The BATD was the UK’s first dancing association, being founded on 30th November 1892. Although it is believed to have started a little before this time, this is the first recorded date for the association

Website: batd.co.uk UKA Dance Previous Names: United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) Founded: 1902 Dance styles: Highland, Hebridean, Hip Hop, Jazz, Latin American, Le Roc, Ballet, Classical Sequence, Modern and Latin Sequence, Modern Theatre, Cheerdance, Club Dance, Dance Exercise, Drama, National, New Vogue, Rock’n’Roll, Salsa, Freestyle, Greek, Latin Line, Wheelchair Dance, Western Line Dance, Tap, Slow Dance, Show Dance, Scottish Country, Standard Ballroom, Argentine Tango Interesting Facts:

• UKA Dance was the first association to offer examinations in Western Line Dancing, Freestyle, Club Dance, Street Dance and Cheerdance. It was also the first to introduce syllabuses and technique books in these styles
• UKA Dance runs a medal test scheme for very young dancers called Uni-Ted Award. It has been offered for over 20 years and provides an introduction to the exam and grade system
• Of the wide range of examinations available from UKA Dance, many can be taken as graded exams or medal tests

Website: www.ukadance.co.uk   Dancewear Central stocks a wide range of dancewear and uniform perfect for dance class, as well as a huge range of ballet, tap and jazz shoes. All with same day despatch before 3pm and a fuss-free returns/exchange service. Shop our examwear here.                  "