IDTA Associate Ballroom Qualification

The Associate Ballroom qualification is the first level of professional dance teaching qualifications and prepares you to teach Ballroom dance. The examination can be taken as a whole or in a modular format over a period of time.

How will you be assessed?

The Associate is a practical examination conducted by an recognised dance association appointed Examiner.

Are There Any Prerequisites?

Yes, you have to be 18 years or over to take the examination. It is advisable that you have Ballroom dance experience before commencing a Studydance.me online course.

How Will I benefit From Taking An Associate Examination?

When you pass your examination you will be offered a membership of a worldwide recognised dance association, International Dance Teachers Association. A Professional organisation with over 7000 members in 55 countries. Membership will bring many benefits. Personally your dancing will improve by applying the technical knowledge gained during study and your teaching skills will be developed.

If being appointed a dance competition adjudicator is one of your ambitions, with the Associate qualification you will be able to apply for an adjudicators licence (applications would normally be directed to your national dance council). This is necessary if you are engaged to adjudicate at an event. However the Associate grade does not usually allow you to adjudicate Championship events (see licentiate).

Will I need a teacher

Yes you will need a coach to train you for the exam. If you do not have a regular coach we can provide one to one coaching via Zoom with Michael Sandham , Former IDTA Latin Faculty Chairman and IDTA Ballroom Faculty Chairman.

Examination Requirments

Please read carefully the details regarding professional examinations given in this syllabus. Alternatively, these can be taken in Modular form. For the full Associate and Licentiate examination;

ASSOCIATE WALTZ MODULE (45 mins)

DEMONSTRATION Candidates will be required to demonstrate with a partner to music the Waltz to a standard appropriate to the level of examination being taken. The majority of the figures used should be selected from those included in the Associate syllabus.

SOLO DEMONSTRATION TO MUSIC Candidates will be required to demonstrate solo to music whilst giving the timing an amalgamation of three figures selected by the Examiner from the Associate Waltz syllabus. This will include starting a class to music.

THEORY Candidates should be able to explain the Chart Headings and the Definitions of Technical Terms and Principles. Time Signature, Tempo, Rhythm, Poise, Balance and Hold used in Waltz, Position of Feet, Footwork, Alignment, Direction, Amount of Turn, Rise and Fall, Contra Body Movement, Contra Body Movement Position, Natural Pivot, Pivoting Action, Closed Turn, Open Turn, Brush Step, Balance, Counting in Beats and Bars. Candidates will be required to dance the syllabus figures solo whilst giving the Timing or Beat value of each step. Candidates should be able to give Step Numbers, Timing, Beat Values, Positions of Feet, Footwork, Amount of Turn, Alignment, Direction, Rise and Fall, CBM, Sway, Precedes and Follows of all the Associate Waltz syllabus figures. Candidates will be required to count in Beats and Bars.

COMPULSORY QUESTIONS Candidates will be asked to explain and demonstrate where applicable the following: 1. The Forward and Backward Walks. 2. The difference between Alignment and Direction TEACHING ABILITY Teaching ability will be marked separately and will affect the result of the examination. During the course of the examination the candidate’s ability to teach will be assessed.

SYLLABUS FIGURES Candidates will be examined on their knowledge of the figures as charted. 1. LF Closed Change (Reverse to Natural) 2. RF Closed Change (Natural to Reverse) 3. Natural Turn 4. Reverse Turn 5. Whisk 6. Chasse from Promenade Position 7. Natural Spin Turn 8. Underturned Natural Spin Turn 9. Natural Turn with Hesitation 10. Reverse Corte 11. Back Whisk 12. Outside Change 13. Weave in Waltz Time

ASSOCIATE QUICKSTEP MODULE (30 mins)

DEMONSTRATION Candidates will be required to demonstrate with a partner to music the Quickstep to a standard appropriate to the level of examination being taken. The majority of the figures used should be selected from those included in the Associate syllabus.

SOLO DEMONSTRATION TO MUSIC Candidates will be required to demonstrate solo to music whilst giving the timing an amalgamation of three figures selected by the Examiner from the Associate Quickstep syllabus. This will include starting a class to music.

THEORY Candidates should be able to explain Time Signature, Tempo, Rhythm, Poise, Balance and Hold used in the Quickstep. Candidates will be required to dance the syllabus figures solo whilst giving the Timing or Beat Value of each step. Candidates should be able to give Step Numbers, Timing, Beat Values, Positions of Feet, Footwork, Amount of Turn, Alignment and Direction, Rise and Fall, CBM, Sway, Precedes and Follows of all the Associate Quickstep syllabus figures. Candidates will be required to count both in Beats and Bars and Slows and Quicks.

COMPULSORY QUESTIONS Candidates will be asked to explain and demonstrate where applicable the following: 1. The Forward and Backward Walks. 2. Counting in Beats and Bars.

SYLLABUS FIGURES Candidates will be examined on their knowledge of the figures as charted. 1. Quarter Turn to Right 2. Natural Turn at a corner 3. Natural Pivot Turn 4. Natural Spin Turn 5. Underturned Natural Spin Turn 6. Natural Turn with Hesitation 7. Progressive Chasse 8. Forward Lock Step 9. Backward Lock Step 10. Progressive Chasse to Right. 11. Reverse Turn 12. Quick Open Reverse Turn. 13. Tipple Chasse to Right at a corner 14. Tipple Chasse to Right along side of room

ASSOCIATE FOXTROT MODULE (30 mins)

DEMONSTRATION Candidates will be required to demonstrate the Foxtrot with a partner to music to a standard appropriate to the level of examination being taken. The majority of the figures used should be selected from those included in the Associate syllabus.

SOLO DEMONSTRATION TO MUSIC Candidates will be required to demonstrate solo to music whilst giving the timing an amalgamation of three figures selected by the Examiner from the Associate Foxtrot syllabus. This will include starting a class to music.

THEORY Candidates should be able to explain Time Signature, Tempo, Rhythm, Poise, Balance and Hold used in the Foxtrot. Candidates will be required to dance the syllabus figures solo whilst giving the Timing or Beat Value of each step. Candidates should be able to give Step Numbers, Timing, Beat Values, Positions of Feet, Footwork, Amount of Turn, Alignment and Direction, Rise and Fall, CBM, Sway, Precedes and Follows of all the Associate Foxtrot syllabus figures. Candidates will be required to count both in Beats and Bars and Slows and Quicks.

COMPULSORY FIGURES Candidates will be asked to explain and demonstrate where applicable the following: 1. The Forward and Backward Walks. 2. A Heel Turn.

TEACHING ABILITY Teaching ability will be marked separately and will affect the result of the examination. During the course of the examination the candidate’s ability to teach will be assessed. SYLLABUS FIGURES Candidates will be examined on their knowledge of the figures as charted. 1. Feather Step 2. Reverse Turn 3. Three Step 4. Natural Turn 5. Closed Impetus Turn 6. Feather Finish 7. Reverse Wave 8. 1-4 Reverse Wave followed by Weave 9. Change of Direction

ASSOCIATE TANGO MODULE (30 mins)

DEMONSTRATION Candidates will be required to demonstrate with a partner to music the Tango to a standard appropriate to the level of examination being taken. The majority of the figures used should be selected from those included in the Associate syllabus.

SOLO DEMONSTRATION TO MUSIC Candidates will be required to demonstrate solo to music whilst giving the timing an amalgamation of three figures selected by the Examiner from the Associate Tango syllabus. This will include starting a class to music.

THEORY Candidates should be able to explain Time Signature, Tempo, Rhythm, Poise, Balance and Hold used in the Tango. Candidates will be required to dance the syllabus figures solo whilst giving the Timing or Beat Value of each step. Candidates should be able to give Step Numbers, Timing, Beat Values, Positions of Feet, Footwork, Amount of Turn, Direction, Alignment, CBM, Precedes and Follows of all the Associate Tango syllabus figures. Candidates will be required to count both in Beats and Bars and Slows and Quicks.

COMPULSORY QUESTIONS Candidates will be asked to explain and demonstrate where applicable the following: 1. The Forward and Backward Tango Walk. 2. The Hold and characteristics of the Tango. 3. The difference between Direction and Alignment.

TEACHING ABILITY Teaching ability will be marked separately and will affect the result of the examination. During the course of the examination the candidate’s ability to teach will be assessed. SYLLABUS FIGURES Candidates will be examined on their knowledge of the figures as charted. 1. Progressive Side Step 2. Progressive Link 3. Closed Promenade 4. Open Promenade 5. Basic Reverse Turn 6. Open Reverse Turn Lady in Line 7. Open Reverse Turn Lady Outside 8. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn 9. Natural Rock Turn 10. Back Corte 11. Rock on Left Foot 12. Rock on Right Foot 13. Natural Promenade Turn

FULL ASSOCIATE (90 mins)

DEMONSTRATION Candidates will be examined on their knowledge of the figures as charted and will be required to demonstrate, with a partner to music, the four Ballroom dances; Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot and Tango to a standard appropriate to the level of examination being taken. The majority of the figures used should be selected from those included in the Associate syllabus.

SOLO DEMONSTRATION TO MUSIC Candidates will be required to dance solo to music, whilst giving the timing, an amalgamation of three figures in two dances selected by the Examiner from the Associate syllabus. This will include starting a class to music.

THEORY Candidates will be required to have a thorough knowledge of the Pre-Associate and Associate syllabus. Candidates will be examined in their knowledge of the figures in the syllabus and will be required to show their ability to apply the following principles in respect of each dance and figure as man and lady: Candidates should be able to explain the Chart Headings, Definition of Technical Terms, Time Signature, Tempo, Rhythm, Poise, Hold, Balance, Positions of Feet, Footwork, Alignment, Direction, Amount of Turn, Rise and Fall, Contra Body Movement Position, Contra Body Movement, Sway, Closed Turn, Open Turn, Brush Step, Natural Pivot, Pivoting Action, Amalgamations, Precedes and Follows. Counting in Beats and Bars, Counting in Slows and Quicks. Candidates will be required to dance all the syllabus figures solo whilst giving the Step Numbers, Timing, Beat Values, Positions of Feet, Footwork, Amount of Turn, Alignment and Direction, Rise and Fall, CBM, Sway, Precedes and Follows.

COMPULSORY QUESTIONS Candidates will be asked to explain and demonstrate where applicable: 1. The Forward and Backward Walks as used in Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep. 2. The difference between Alignment and Direction 3. The Hold and Characteristics of the Tango including Forward and Backward Tango Walks.

TEACHING ABILITY Teaching Ability will be marked separately and will affect the result of the examination. During the course of the examination the candidate’s ability to teach will be assessed. SYLLABUS FIGURES Candidates must be able to present the following figures:

WALTZ 1. LF Closed Change (Reverse to Natural) 2. RF Closed Change (Natural to Reverse) 3. Natural Turn 4. Reverse Turn 5. Whisk 6. Chasse from Promenade Position 7. Natural Spin Turn 8.. Underturned Natural Spin Turn 9. Natural Turn with Hesitation 10. Reverse Corté 11. Back Whisk 12. Outside Change 13. Weave in Waltz Time

QUICKSTEP 1. Quarter Turn to Right 2. Natural Turn at a corner 3. Natural Pivot Turn 4. Natural Spin Turn 5. Underturned Natural Spin Turn at a corner 6. Natural Turn with Hesitation 7. Progressive Chasse 8. Forward Lock Step 9. Backward Lock Step 10. Progressive Chasse to Right 11. Reverse Turn 12. Quick Open Reverse Turn. 13. Tipple Chasse to Right at a corner 14. Tipple Chasse to Right along side of room

FOXTROT 1. Feather Step 2. Reverse Turn 3. Three Step 4. Natural Turn 5. Closed Impetus Turn 6. Feather Finish 7. Reverse Wave 8. 1-4 Reverse Wave followed by Weave 9. Change of Direction 10. Natural Weave Published August 2019 12

TANGO 1. Progressive Side Step 2. Progressive Link 3. Closed Promenade 4. Open Promenade 5. Basic Reverse Turn 6. Open Reverse Turn Lady in Line 7. Open Reverse Turn Lady Outside 8. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn 9. Natural Rock Turn 10. Back Corte 11. Rock on Left Foot 12. Rock on Right Foot 13. Natural Promenade Turn