Term Dates!

All classes start back week beginning February 20th, 2012

Saturday Street starts back on Saturday 25th February at a new venue!

Crew rehearsals start on Tuesday 21st (Adult) and Thursday 23rd (Under 14s)

When paying term fees, please select the 6 week option (for Mini Feet, Lil Street Feet and Saturday Street classes only)

Please make sure you are signed up to our newsletter at www.streetfeetdance.co.uk to receive the latest class updates to your inbox :)

Exam Results!

We ran a dance teacher training course for local dance teachers in November, which also attracted dancers from as far as Telford and Dorset.  In December they took their professional IDTA teaching exams and we are proud to announce that not only did we achieve a 100% pass rate on our first course but over 70% of our dancers achieved Honours with their grades.

Due to the success of our first course, we are running another one in April.  Find out what one of our newly qualified teachers had to say about the November course: 

“I took the IDTA Freestyle Dance Teacher Training Course in November, 2011.  I found it really informative and enjoyable.  The tutors were lovely and offered a lot of support.  We had 4 weeks to complete our portfolios and prepare for the exam.  During the exam itself, you’re made to feel relaxed and welcome - my examiner was very encouraging and not intimidating at all.  My overall experience was very good, it is a lot of hard work but very rewarding.  I was thrilled to pass my exam with honours and I definitely recommend this course to anyone serious about teaching dance.” (Chloe, Maidenhead)

This is the IDTA Freestyle Associate Qualification.  Book your place now at info@streetfeetdance.co.uk to become a qualified dance teacher this year!

New Year, New Term!

Term Dates:

Saturday 7th Jan

Saturday Street 9.30am-11.30am (Sun Street Centre, Sun Street, E Reading)

Monday 9th Jan

Performance Group Rehearsal 8.15-9.30pm (Message for details)

Tuesday 10th Jan

Lil Street Feet 5.15-6pm (Park URC Hall, Palmer Park Avenue, E Reading)

SFD Fit 7-8pm (NEW VENUE: Woodley Airfield Community Centre)

Wednesday 11th Jan

Breakdance 6-7pm (Emmanuel Church, Woodley)

Urban Choreography 7-8pm (Emmanuel Church, Woodley)

Thursday 12th Jan

Mini Feet 4.15-5pm (Woodford Park Leisure Centre)

Lil Street Feet 5.15-6pm (Woodford Park Leisure Centre)

Urban Tap 8-9pm (NEW VENUE: Willow Bank Infant School, Woodley)

Sign up for our FREE newsletter at www.streetfeetdance.co.uk

Healthy Competition?

This month I’ve been meeting with new dance teachers who are going to help me launch brand new classes and work for me at Street Feet Dance. During our meetings we’ve been sharing ideas about everything that is dance! Most of these teachers also run their own classes in Reading so you’d think we’d be in competition with each other, right? Wrong! I even helped one of these teachers to find hall hire for her own classes!

You see, it really disappointed me to hear that there are some ‘old school’ thinking dance school principals out there who are disowning their former students once they become qualified teachers because they see them as a threat to their long established dance schools with their fresh forward-thinking ways! I am determined not to be like that and actually want to help other teachers find ways in which they can be successful in what they’re doing because when you share ideas you can create great things! In the past I have even given ‘rival’ teachers my website designer’s details and co-produced dance shows with them!

As my first ever IDTA dance teacher training course approaches, with several local dancers booked on, eager to realise their dreams and set up their own dance schools like I have, it got me wondering whether I was wise to be creating so much ‘competition’ around me. It didn’t take me long though to realise how fantastic it would be to have some great qualified dance teachers around to call upon, who I can trust and I know have been trained well by 2 of the best IDTA lecturers in the UK! Excited by this thought, I started thinking about ways in which I could help them AFTER they are qualified to reach their goals quicker and set them on the right track.

It can be a daunting time starting up on your own and getting to know all the dos and don’ts by yourself. It took me a while to discover insider secrets, relating to running a successful dance school…and guess what? I’m in the mood for SHARING! After the course I will be offering a mentorship programme for newly qualified dance teachers to help them get started with their new classes…or even for existing dance teachers who are looking for some fresh ideas to breathe life into their existing dance schools. I’ll be releasing further details at www.streetfeetdance.co.uk soon :)

Cerys x

Choosing a dance teacher training course

So you’re thinking of becoming a dance teacher and looking to get a qualification…and there are a lot of courses out there claiming to be able to get you qualified…so which one do you choose?

Back in 2009, I had the same dilemma.  In fact, I nearly made a huge mistake.  There was this course claiming to make you a ‘certified’ dance teacher if you pay out the money and go on the course.  You could even use their logo on your website and promotional material….of course you could! They were giving away some great sounding bonuses and had some testimonials on their site - I have no doubt that these dancers really enjoyed the course…however, were they really QUALIFIED at the end of it? Could they go out and get dance teacher’s liability insurance from any reputable broker? Was their qualification recognised in gyms or schools?

Then I found a course accredited to the International Dance Teachers Association.  I had heard about the IDTA and knew they were an international awarding body.  I also knew that many of those dancers you see on Strictly Come Dancing are professional members of the IDTA - it’s a prestigious organisation.  I applied for the course, answered some questions about my dancing ability and experience and was accepted - this was the best decision I have ever made as I have since heard of other courses, which have great marketing strategies, but have made up their own qualification and are not regulated by anyone.  Some of these courses use the term ‘government approved’ but what does this mean and who is it actually approved by?

Dance fitness classes are all the rage now and there are some very popular brands out there.  Do these courses QUALIFY you to teach exercise safely to the public? Or does it just permit you to use their brand name? This is something else you might want to consider when choosing a course.  I’ve devised a list of my top ten questions you may wish to ask yourself or the training providers when choosing a dance teacher training course…

1. Is the course accredited to an official awarding body?

2.  How long will it take you to complete the course?

3. Does a formal exam follow the course?

4. Does the course allow you to put students through amateur exams?

5. Who is training you and what is their success rate?

6. Will you be able to obtain substantial dance teachers liability insurance from a reputable broker?

7. Will you be able to become a member of a professional organisation?

8. Is there room for further professional development and further qualifications?

9.  Will there be continued support after passing the exam?

10. Will you learn how to start up a successful dance school on the course?

Remember, this is your money and your future so be sure to make an informed decision about what kind of training and qualifications you wish to receive :)

What should you consider when choosing a dance school?

My dancewear clothing suppliers are always telling me that about new dance schools popping up all over Reading.  It got me thinking about how prospective parents and dancers choose which dance school to go to if there are so many around.  If you are finding yourself with this dilemma, here are some points you may wish to consider…

1. Do the teachers have qualifications and are they CRB checked and insured to teach?  Qualifications ensure the teacher has a working knowledge of anatomy so that injuries can be prevented and a safe environment is created.

2. Are there performance opportunities or examinations on offer for the dancers to work towards?  Consider whether you are looking for dance classes primarily for fun or to further your dance career, or a mixture of both!

3. Are there trial sessions on offer before you have to commit to a course of sessions? Go along and watch the first class to make sure you are happy.

4. Are the tuition fees a reasonable price?  Are there any deals? Whilst affordability is important, beware of dance schools who are able to offer classes at an exceptionally low price - are they covered by all the necessary licences?

5. Does the school have a good reputation? What do other parents / dancers say about the school? Check out the school’s website for reviews/testimonials.

6.  Does the school cater for a range of abilities and ages? It is important that there is room for progression for dancers who attend the school.

7.  If in doubt, ask! Teachers and dance school owners should be happy to answer any questions about their experience and the classes they offer.  Add me on www.facebook.com/cerysvaughanstreetfeetdance and ask me anything :)