|
|
Requirements for teaching dance classes
As this web site, and myself, are based in California I am not a great authority on British dance education or employment issues! From spending a few years studying and working in London a while back, I do know that the systems in the U.K. and the U.S. are VERY different. (For example, most of my readers will have never heard of a B Tec, and will assume when you say that you attend a 'college' that you are at least 18!) I also know that if you are in Britain you are fortunate to be surrounded by all sorts of great resources, well-funded organizations with people supremely qualified to answer your questions. First of all, I would start with your teachers at your course at Oldham College. Approach one or two and ask if you might set up an appointment to talk about your career and future in dance. As this is likely to be a new experience for you, don't feel that you might be imposing; it is much more likely, if you meet them with clarity and curiosity, that they will be impressed with your enthusiasm and self-initiation in your goal to start teaching at such a young age. You will probably get much more advice than you ever imagined, including some on subjects you never asked about! (Don't forget to drop them a little thank you note later…) People who have been in a profession for a while, especially one that demands such devotion and fervor as the dance field, are actually just WAITING for someone to ask their advice about it all! There is a great feeling that comes with having some hard-won knowledge and being asked to share it by someone young and raring to go. When I was younger I was very shy, and for a long time I found it hard to ask professors or dancers or choreographers I admired for advice, on the assumption that I would be bothering them or, heaven forbid, drawing attention to myself. (I hated drawing attention to myself in any other way than silently excelling!) Later, I realized that one-on-one conversations and interactions with my elders in the field were my single most valuable resource, and I actually found myself exhausting every pretext to ask individual questions. What happens is that you establish relationships with people who become your mentors, and such relationships are utterly invaluable -- to anyone, but to perhaps dancers in particular. You'll need every wise word and helping hand up you can get -- and for good or ill, that lead for a new teaching opening, that obscure technique tip, that role in the new piece, is much more likely to go to the young person who has impressed themselves personally upon the mind of those making the decisions. Or as one of my own mentors once said: "Don't be afraid to be big." Secondly, of the many professional organizations that support dance teaching in the U.K., I would recommend that in your research you focus on those that are non-profit organizations. (Look for the tell-tale '.org' instead of '.co' in British website addresses.) Organizations that charge you to take exams that they claim you will need in order to teach are inherently a bit suspect, in my opinion. All of the organizations I list below are respected non-profit resource and support organizations. I would recommend that you start with the Council on Dance Education and Training (CDET). This organization promotes excellence in dance education and training by, among other things, offering advice and support to students, parents, teachers and artists. Of particular relevance to you might be their own "Answers for Dancers" feature -- you can find it on their website: www.cdet.org.uk Other great resources for you and for those in Great Britain interested in teaching dance include: The National Dance Teachers' Association: www.ndta.org.uk The Foundation for Community Dance: www.communitydance.org.uk The National Resource Centre for Dance: www.surrey.ac.uk/NRCD/ Good luck getting started on teaching dance! Nicole "this is a manila site 2" "get acrobat" "get quicktime" Copyright 2008 TeachingArts.org |