National Association of Teachers of Dancing

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The National Association of Teachers of Dancing promotes dance and provides services to its members.

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Founded in 1906, by 1912 it had 50 members; today the membership numbers around 2000. It was originally devoted to set and sequence dancing based on the five positions of the ballet. Now it is organised into a Theatre Branch and a Ballroom Branch and is a member of the British Dance Council, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the Council for Dance Education and Training, and the International Stage Dance Council.

Although described as 'national', the association is international, with worldwide membership in 26 countries. Examiners regularly travel as far afield as Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. [1]

Notable events

In 1932, the NATD started the medal test system for amateur dancers. It was the idea of Edgar Newton and was copied by many other dance teaching organizations. This system, by giving dancers something to aim for, made for better dancing and meant financial survival for many small dance schools.

In 1938 and 1939, the Society initiated the Juvenile and Junior Championships at the Blackpool Dance Festival. This was an epoch-making moment, for until then, all ballroom dance competitions were for adults. Juvenile and Junior competitions are now a worldwide phenomenon.

In 1952, NATD was incorporated as a limited company. In 1953, Dave Jones, an NATD member, got the idea of having competitions restricted to the various medal grades. The competitors would wear normal daycloths rather than the elaborate dress of formal competition dancing. This is now widespread and popular. Another idea was to have matches between different schools of dance. That was started by Robert Morgan and Bob Barber in Essex, and has led to the formation of dance team leagues. [2]

NATD members were authors of dancing technique books. Some examples: [3]

Theatre dance

In 1933, Maude Wells, ably assisted by Nina Hodgson, formed the National Tap Branch. 1933 also saw the establishment of the Ballet Branch. The Classical Ballet (Russian Method) was formed in 1940, attracting many famous and talented teachers. At a later stage, branches were created for Modern Stage and Stage Tap. Examinations are also available for Acrobatic, National Dance, Dance Movement and Disco.

New events

Professional and amateur examinations are held in Freestyle, Street dance, Argentine tango (Ballroom Branch); and Acrobatic and Contemporary dance (Theatre Branch). Competitions are held in inventive dance.

Related Research Articles

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This is an alphabetical index of articles related to dance.

The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is an international dance teaching and examination board based in London, England. The registered educational charity, which was established on 25 July 1904 as the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers, provides training and examinations in a range of dance styles and certified dance teacher courses. The ISTD is recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Council for Dance Education and Training and is also a member of the British Dance Council. It hosts various competitions in many different formats including Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Ballet and Tap Dance as well as contemporary styles like Disco Freestyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Dance Teachers Association</span>

The International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) is a dance teaching and examination board based in Brighton, England. Operating internationally, the IDTA currently has over 7,000 members in 55 countries. The IDTA is recognised by the national qualifications regulators in England and Wales, Ofqual and the Council for Dance Education and Training, and is also affiliated to the British Dance Council, the Central Council of Physical Recreation and the Theatre Dance Council International. The IDTA works in partnership with the Royal Academy of Dance. The IDTA publishes a print and online magazine for members titled Dance International four times a year.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Association of Teachers of Dancing</span>

The British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD) is a UK-based dance examination board, with its Head Office in Glasgow, Scotland. The officially recognised date for the formation of the society is 30 November 1892, making it the first professional dance organization of its kind in the United Kingdom, and the second oldest in the world.

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The British Dance Council was formed in 1929 as the Official Board of Ballroom Dancing (OBBD). The name was changed in 1985 to the British Council of Ballroom Dancing and in 1996, the name was changed to British Dance Council. The BDC is the recognised governing body for Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence & Freestyle Disco dance in the United Kingdom.

Monsieur Pierre was the professional name of Pierre Jean Philippe Zurcher-Margolle. He was a professional dancer and dance teacher, largely responsible for introducing the Latin American dances to England, and for codifying them, and laying the groundwork for their use in competitions and in social dance. The system he and his colleagues developed became the basis for all Latin and American competitions held under the World Dance Council (WDC).

The Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT), formerly known as the Council for Dance Education and Training (CDET), is the quality assurance and membership body for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries in the United Kingdom. CDMT was founded in 1979.

Phil Winston is an English dancer, dance teacher and choreographer.

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UKA Dance, formally known as the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA), is a dance teaching and examination board based in Blackpool, England, and operates internationally. UKA Dance was established in 1902 and provides training in a range of dance styles, with examination syllabi for students, and training courses for people wishing to become certified dance teachers.

References

  1. NATD homepage
  2. Wainwright, Lyndon 1997. The story of British popular dance. International Publications, Brighton. p34
  3. NATD history