Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 6/16/2008

Question
hi there

i have been learning ballet since i was 3 years old, first with RAD, then BBO. I stopped dancing at the age of 18 due to a move of towns and restarted last year at the age of 23.

I am currently working towards my grade 7 BBO and have just started pointe work for the very first time.

I am really interested in becoming a dance teacher and wonder what knowledge is required and how you go about becoming one?

Answer
www.rad.org.uk

www.radusa.org

http://www.nationalballetschool.org/pages/teacherprograms/index.html

http://www.rwbschool.com/pro/program/ttp.html

Here are some places you can go to read what is offered. There are of course, many more.

Look up the sites of any major companies in your area, and most of them have schools. They will have teachers' training and credentialing programs. Many also have some business advice of how to start a studio, budgeting, recital and exam costs etc.

Since you are interested in teaching, I recommend you get The Perfect Pointe Book - I got it at http://www.theballetstore.com It is written by a dance medicine specialist, for students to understand all the physiology and technical details of working in pointe shoes, and safe home practice. It is a gem.

(I'd love to hear about what your search comes up with, if you have time to let me know).

You'll notice that The National Ballet School of Canada works in affiliation with a university, so training teachers can end up with a degree - I'm sure other places do that too, and it's a great option for further credentialing.

All the best, Dianne