Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
Encyclopedia
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is a leading dance teaching and examination board based in London
, England
and operating internationally. Established on 25 July 1904 as the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers, it changed to its current name in 1925 and is now a registered educational charity. The ISTD provides training in a range of dance styles, with examination syllabi for students, and training courses for people wishing to become certified dance teachers. The work of the ISTD is organised into two main boards, one for Dancesport
and the other for Theatre dance. The society also incorporates the Cecchetti Society, which exists to preserve the Cecchetti method
of classical ballet training. The ISTD is an awarding body 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
. The ISTD is also represented on the committees of numerous other arts, dance and culture related organisations.
, London
with Robert Morris Crompton as the first President. The first ISTD congress was held in 1906 and a congress has subsequently been held every year, with the exception of a brief period during the war years.
Dance Journal, now titled Dance, was first published in September 1907.
In 1924 the separate branches, which later became faculties, were formed, and in 1925 the society became the "Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance". The ISTD incorporated in 1945, with Victor Silvester
in the new role of Chairman.
In 1953 the Grand Council of the ISTD was formed; it includes notable persons from many areas of British society. The Council serves to improve communication with key people in British arts and society.
The ISTD is most noted for the use of medal tests, and the ISTD format has been used as a model for similar award systems by many other dance organisations. The idea of medal tests first came from another dance teaching organisation, but it was the ISTD, which first developed the widespread use of the medal test system throughout the UK and internationally.
. The organisation structure of the ISTD is divided into three levels, the Administrative Council, Faculty Boards and Faculty Committees.
and honourary Life President, Dame Beryl Grey
.
, but some Faculties have additional Grades prior to Grade 1, that is, Pre-Primary and Primary.
may be taken in Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence, Disco Freestyle, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country & Western, Classical Greek, Tap and National. The levels progress from Bronze to Silver, Gold, Gold Star and higher awards for Dancesport medals.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and operating internationally. Established on 25 July 1904 as the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers, it changed to its current name in 1925 and is now a registered educational charity. The ISTD provides training in a range of dance styles, with examination syllabi for students, and training courses for people wishing to become certified dance teachers. The work of the ISTD is organised into two main boards, one for Dancesport
DanceSport
Dancesport denotes competitive ballroom dancing, as contrasted to social or exhibition dancing. It is wheelchair dancesport where at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair....
and the other for Theatre dance. The society also incorporates the Cecchetti Society, which exists to preserve the Cecchetti method
Cecchetti method
The Cecchetti method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Italian ballet master and pedagogue Enrico Cecchetti . The Cecchetti method, is a strict training system with special concern for anatomy within the confines of classical ballet technique, and seeks to develop the...
of classical ballet training. The ISTD is an awarding body recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
and the Council for Dance Education and Training
Council for Dance Education and Training
The Council for Dance Education and Training * accredits professional training programmes in vocational dance and musical theatre schools* validates the qualifications of Dance Awarding Organisations...
and is also a member of the British Dance Council
British Dance Council
The British Dance Council was formed in 1929 as the Official Board of Ballroom Dancing . The name was subsequently changed in 1985 to the British Council of Ballroom Dancing and in 1996, the name was changed to British Dance Council...
. The ISTD is also represented on the committees of numerous other arts, dance and culture related organisations.
History
The Imperial Society of Dance Teachers was formed on the 25th July 1904 at the Hotel Cecil in Covent GardenCovent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with Robert Morris Crompton as the first President. The first ISTD congress was held in 1906 and a congress has subsequently been held every year, with the exception of a brief period during the war years.
Dance Journal, now titled Dance, was first published in September 1907.
In 1924 the separate branches, which later became faculties, were formed, and in 1925 the society became the "Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance". The ISTD incorporated in 1945, with Victor Silvester
Victor Silvester
Victor Marlborough Silvester OBE was an English dancer, author, musician and dance band leader. He was a significant figure in the development of ballroom dance during the first half of the 20th century, and his records sold 75 million copies from the 1930s through to the 1980s.- Early life...
in the new role of Chairman.
In 1953 the Grand Council of the ISTD was formed; it includes notable persons from many areas of British society. The Council serves to improve communication with key people in British arts and society.
The ISTD is most noted for the use of medal tests, and the ISTD format has been used as a model for similar award systems by many other dance organisations. The idea of medal tests first came from another dance teaching organisation, but it was the ISTD, which first developed the widespread use of the medal test system throughout the UK and internationally.
Today
The present day ISTD is a government recognised dance teaching organisation and examination board, which trains and certifies teachers to deliver its syllabus to students in both private and mainstream dance education. The ISTD offers syllabi in a range of dance styles, which are typically delivered in the form of medal tests or graded examinations. An accredited awarding body, the ISTD offers qualifications that can be submitted for credit on the National Qualifications FrameworkNational Qualifications Framework
The National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
. The organisation structure of the ISTD is divided into three levels, the Administrative Council, Faculty Boards and Faculty Committees.
Administrative Council
The Administrative Council is responsible for the overall governance of the ISTD and consists of executives and elected members, headed by ISTD Chairman, Peter Kyle. The Council is the principal policy making body of the organisation and rules on recommendations made by the faculty boards and committees, which are represented on the Council. Key administrative duties are performed by executive members, the Finance, Audit & General Purposes Committee and the Nomination & Remuneration Committee. The Administrative Council also includes the Grand Council, a group of eminent dance professionals headed by ISTD President, Peggy SpencerPeggy Spencer
Peggy Spencer MBE is a British professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, competition adjudicator and organiser....
and honourary Life President, Dame Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Elizabeth Grey , DBE, DMus, DLitt, Ed.D, FRSA is a retired English ballerina. She began dance classes at the age of 4 while attending Sherbourne Preparatory School, and by age 8 was being taught ballet by Phyllis Bedells...
.
Faculty Boards
The work of the ISTD is divided into two main branches; the Dancesport Faculties Board, commonly known as the Ballroom Branch, and the Theatre Faculties Board, commonly known as the Theatre Branch. These two faculty boards co-ordinate the work of the faculty committees, which are grouped to reflect the similarities between them. For example, the Dancesport board consists of dance techniques which are normally performed in a ballroom or dance hall setting, both socially and competitively, whereas the Theatre board, as the name suggests, consists of dance techniques which usually have a connection to stage or film.Faculty committees
The ISTD consists of twelve faculty committees, which are divided between the two Faculty Boards. Each faculty committee is responsible for the technical and artistic development of a specific dance technique within the ISTD. The work of a faculty committee includes the continued development of the syllabi for the relevant dance technique, the regulation and control of examinations and the organisation of lectures, teacher training courses, seminars and other events.Dancesport Faculties Board
- Club Dance Faculty
- Disco/Freestyle/Rock'n'Roll (DFR) Faculty
- Latin American Faculty
- Modern Ballroom Faculty
- Sequence Faculty
Theatre Faculties Board
- Ceccetti Society Classical Ballet Faculty
- Classical Greek Dance Faculty
- Imperial Classical Ballet Faculty
- Modern Theatre Dance Faculty
- National Dance Faculty
- South Asian dance Faculty
- Tap Dance Faculty
Examinations
The ISTD is primarily a dance examination board, with teacher members delivering its syllabi to students in both private and mainstream education. The majority of people who study the ISTD syllabus are people pursuing dance as a leisure activity and the organisation provides a structured examinations system that caters for pupils from beginner to professional level. At the higher levels, ISTD teachers can provide training for people wishing to pursue dance as a profession, either as a performer or dance teacher. Typically, most subjects have a series of graded examinations. These progress from Primary and up through numbers Grades (Grade 1, Grade 2, etc.), with Vocational graded examinations at Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 levels. Some subjects have differing examination systems, some offering medal tests and other awards.Grade exams
The grade system is especially adapted to different ages of pupils, and as a basis for dance as an activity in schools or other similar institutions. Grade Examinations may be taken in Classical Ballet (Cecchetti and Imperial methods), Modern Theatre, Tap, National Dance, Classical Greek, South Asian (Kathak and Bharatanatyam), Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Disco Freestyle and Classical Sequence. Grades 1-6 are accredited by OfqualOfqual
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.-Role:...
, but some Faculties have additional Grades prior to Grade 1, that is, Pre-Primary and Primary.
Class exams
Class Examinations may be taken in Classical Ballet (Cecchetti and Imperial methods), Classical Greek and Modern Theatre.Medal tests
These testsMedal examinations (dance)
In many forms of dance medal examinations are held. They are organised by leading dance teaching organisations, such as the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing , the International Dance Teachers Association , and other organisations.The examinations are a way for a young dancer to mark his or...
may be taken in Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence, Disco Freestyle, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country & Western, Classical Greek, Tap and National. The levels progress from Bronze to Silver, Gold, Gold Star and higher awards for Dancesport medals.
Vocational grades
The Vocational Grades are accredited by Ofqual and include Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. These examinations form a cohesive bridge between the work covered in the Grades and the work of the professional examinations.Professional examinations
Dancers who have achieved a high level examination pass in an ISTD dance subject can progress into teacher training with the organisation. The teacher training is provided through approved dance centres and consists of both theory and practical examinations designed to demonstrate the candidates ability and knowledge to teach dance. People who successfully complete the training become registered teachers of the ISTD and may enter students for examinations in the dance subject for which they have qualified. Some ISTD teacher may progress to further their qualifications further and gain qualifications in other branches of the society. There are various professional examinations, depending on where candidates live.- European Union Theatre Examinations: Teachers entering candidates for ISTD examinations need to gain the Certificate in Dance Education and then may choose to progress to Licentiate and Fellowship.
- Rest of the World Theatre Examinations: For the rest of the world the qualifications are the Associate and the Associate Diploma. Teachers can enter students for examinations following their Associate examination and once they have obtained their Associate Diploma can then choose to progress to Licentiate and Fellowship.
- Global Dancesport Examinations: For all Dancesport examinations, regardless of country, the Student Teacher and Associate qualifications can be taken. Candidates within the European Union can also take Foundation in Dance Instruction and Certificate in Dance Education in some dance genres if they wish. Following Associate, candidates may choose to progress to Licentiate and Fellowship.
Notable people
- Beryl Grey DBE, is a former principal ballerina of the Royal Ballet and an international guest artist who has performed with ballet companies worldwide. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of ArtsRoyal Society of ArtsThe Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
, Vice President of the Royal Academy of DanceRoyal Academy of DanceThe Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
, and a Governor of the Royal Opera HouseRoyal Opera HouseThe Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
. She is a former President, now Honourary Life President of the ISTD. - Peggy SpencerPeggy SpencerPeggy Spencer MBE is a British professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, competition adjudicator and organiser....
MBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
is the current President of the ISTD. She was a ballroom dancer, coach, choreographer, organiser and TV commentator for dance events, and is now retired from active teaching. She has been awarded eight Carl Alan AwardsCarl Alan AwardsThe Carl Alan Awards is an awards event held annually in the United Kingdom and honouring people who have made a significant contribution to the dance and theatre industry, such as teachers, performers and choreographers...
for her services to dance. - Monsieur PierreMonsieur PierreMonsieur Pierre, or simply Pierre, was the professional name of Pierre Jean Phillipe Zurcher-Margolle, . Pierre was a professional dancer and dance teacher: he was primarily responsible for introducing the Latin American dances to England, and for codifying them, and laying the groundwork for their...
and Doris Lavelle visited CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and consequently revised the teaching of the Cuban-style 'rumba' and cha-cha-cha. Their revisions were incorporated into the present International style of Latin American dance. Pierre was the most important influence in establishing the Latin dances in England. - Doreen BirdDoreen BirdDoreen Bird, MA, FISTD, ARAD, was a British dance teacher and founder of the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts in Sidcup, Kent. She was a fellow, examiner, lecturer, committee and council member of the ISTD, life member of the RAD, and Honorary MA. Prior to her death from Leukaemia in 2004,...
was a fellow, examiner, lecturer, committee and council member of the ISTD and was influential in the modern theatre dance branch of the organisation. Bird is most noted as the founder and former principal of the Doreen Bird College of Performing ArtsBird CollegeBird College of Dance, Music & Theatre Performance is an independent performing arts school and college, based in the Greater London suburb of Sidcup...
(now Bird College), one of the UK's foremost dance and performing arts colleges, with former students working worldwide, including cast members of West EndWest End theatreWest End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
and BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musicals. The college is also an approved centre for ISTD teacher training. - Betty LaineBetty LaineBetty Laine OBE, is a British dance teacher and former professional dancer.- Biography :Born Betty Chamberlaine in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom, Betty Laine was educated at the Ursuline Convent School in Brentwood, Essex, and received her vocational training in dance and theatre at the...
OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
is a former professional dancer and teacher, and is a Fellow, examiner, lecturer, committee and council member of the ISTD. Laine is most noted as the founder principal of Laine Theatre ArtsLaine Theatre ArtsLaine Theatre Arts is an independent performing arts college, based in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England. The college was founded in 1974, and developed from an earlier school, the Frecker-Laine School of Dancing...
, one of the UK's foremost dance and performing arts colleges, with former students working worldwide, including cast members of West EndWest End theatreWest End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
and BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musicals. The college is also an approved centre for ISTD teacher training.
See also
- International Dance Teachers AssociationInternational Dance Teachers AssociationThe International Dance Teachers Association is a leading dance teaching and examination board based in Brighton, England. Operating internationally, the IDTA is one of the largest dance teaching organisations in the world and currently has over 7,000 members in 55 countries...
(IDTA) - Royal Academy of DanceRoyal Academy of DanceThe Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
(RAD) - British Association of Teachers of DanceBritish Association of Teachers of DanceThe British Association of Teachers of Dance 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 organisation of its kind in the United...
(BATD) - British Ballet OrganisationBritish Ballet OrganisationThe British Ballet Organisation is a dance examination board based in London, England.- Overview :The British Ballet Organisation was founded in England in 1930 by Edouard Espinosa and Louise Kay, both noted dance teachers. It was established as a dance teaching society and developed a syllabus...
(BBO) - National Association of Teachers of DancingNational Association of Teachers of DancingThe National Association of Teachers of Dancing promotes dance, and provides services to its members. 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...
(NATD)