The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) is an international dance teaching and examination board based in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. 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 The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA), previously known as the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), was a charity, and an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) of the Department for Education. In Engl ...

and the Council for Dance Education and Training and is also a member of the

British Dance Council 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 reco ...

. It hosts various competitions in many different formats including Modern Ballroom,

Latin American Latin Americans (; ) are the citizenship, citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their Latin American diaspora, diasporas are Metroethnicity, ...

Classical Ballet Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, ...

and

Tap Dance Tap dance (or tap) is a form of dance that uses the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion; it is often accompanied by music. Tap dancing can also be performed with no musical accompaniment; the sound of the taps is its ow ...

as well as contemporary styles like Disco Freestyle. The ISTD is organised into two main faculty boards.

Dancesport Dancesport is competitive ballroom dancing, as contrasted to social or exhibition dancing. In the case of Para dancesport, at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair. Dancesport events are sanctioned and regulated by dancesport organizat ...

coordinates dance techniques that are normally performed in a ballroom or dance hall.

Theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

is concerned with stage and film performance. The Cecchetti Society is also part of the ISTD. It exists to preserve the

Cecchetti method The Cecchetti method is variously defined as a style of ballet and as a ballet training method devised by the Italian ballet master Enrico Cecchetti (1850–1928). The training method seeks to develop essential skills in dancers as well as stre ...

of classical ballet training. 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 25 July 1904 at the Hotel Cecil in

Covent 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 sit ...

. Robert Morris Crompton was its 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. Its in-house publication ''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". In 1945, the ISTD became incorporated with

Victor Silvester Victor Marlborough Silvester OBE (25 February 190014 August 1978) was an English dancer, writer, musician and bandleader from the British dance band era. He was a significant figure in the development of ballroom dance during the first half ...

in the new role of chairman. In 1953 the Grand Council of the ISTD was formed. Notable persons from many areas of British society joined the council. It 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.

Current structure

The 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 Framework. The organisation structure of the ISTD is divided into three levels, the Administrative Council, Faculty Boards and Faculty Committees.

Board of Trustees (The council)

The board of trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the ISTD and consists of executives and elected members, headed by ISTD Chair, Michael Elliott. The board of trustees 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 Board. Key administrative duties are performed by executive members, the Finance, Audit & General Purposes Committee and the Nomination & Remuneration Committee. The Board of Trustees also includes the Grand Council, a group of eminent dance professionals.

Faculty Boards

The work of the ISTD is divided into two main branches; the Dancesport Faculties Board and the Theatre Faculties Board. These two faculty boards coordinate 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. ;Dancesport *Disco Freestyle, Rock 'n' Roll (DFR) *Latin American *Modern Ballroom *Sequence *Street Dance ;Theatre *Cecchetti Classical Ballet *Classical Greek Dance *Classical Indian Dance *Contemporary Dance *Imperial Classical Ballet *Modern Theatre *National Dance *Tap

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.

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 Pre-Primary & 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, Classical Indian, Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Disco Freestyle, Rock 'n' Roll, Contemporary Dance, Sequence and Street Dance. Grades 1-6 are accredited by

Ofqual The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England. Colloquially and publicly, Ofqual is often referred to as the exam "watchdog ...

, 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, Tap and Modern Theatre.

Medal tests

Medal tests may be taken in Modern Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence, Disco Freestyle, Rock 'n' Roll, Country & Western, Classical Greek, Tap, Modern Theatre and National. The levels progress from Under 6, Under 8, Social Dance Test, Pre-Bronze Dance Test, to Bronze, 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 qualifications

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 ''Diploma in Dance Instruction'', followed by the ''Diploma 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 Dame Beryl Elizabeth Grey (née Groom; 11 June 1927 – 10 December 2022) was a British ballet dancer. Early life Beryl Elizabeth Groom was born in Highgate, London on 11 June 1927 to Annie and Arthur "Bob" Groom. She was an only child. She beg ...

DBE was a former principal ballerina of the

Royal Ballet The Royal Ballet is a British internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, England. The largest of the five major ballet companies in Great Britain, the Royal Ballet was founded ...

and an international guest artist who has performed with ballet companies worldwide. She was a Fellow of the

Royal Society of Arts The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, commonly known as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), is a learned society that champions innovation and progress across a multitude of sectors by fostering creativity, s ...

, vice president of the

Royal Academy of Dance The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is a UK-based examination board specialising in dance education and training, with an emphasis on classical ballet. The RAD was founded in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Teachers of Operatic Danci ...

, and a governor of the

Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House (ROH) is a theatre in Covent Garden, central London. The building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. The ROH is the main home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orch ...

. She was a former president and honorary life president of the ISTD. *

Peggy Spencer Margaret Ann Spencer MBE (née Hull; 24 September 1920 – 25 May 2016) was a British professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, competition adjudicator, and organiser. Peggy married Jack Spencer in 1940, and had two children, Helena and ...

MBE was the president of the ISTD until her death in 2016. She was a ballroom dancer, coach, choreographer, organiser and TV commentator for dance event after retiring from active teaching. She has been awarded eight

Carl Alan Awards Carl may refer to: *Carl, Georgia, city in USA *Carl, West Virginia, an unincorporated community *Carl (name), includes info about the name, variations of the name, and a list of people with the name *Carl², a TV series * "Carl", an episode of tel ...

for her services to dance. *

Monsieur Pierre Monsieur Pierre was the professional name of Pierre Jean Philippe Zurcher-Margolle (born c. 1890, Toulon, Toulon, France – died 1963, London). He was a professional dancer and dance teacher, largely responsible for introducing the Latin American c ...

and Doris Lavelle visited

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

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.Lavelle, Doris 1983. ''Latin & American dances''. 3rd ed, Black, London. Pierre was the most important influence in establishing the Latin dances in England. *

Doreen Bird Doreen Bird MA FISTD ARAD (27 January 1928 – 4 February 2004) was a British dance teacher and founder of the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts in Sidcup, Kent (now Southeast London). She was a fellow, examiner, lecturer, committee a ...

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 Arts Bird College – Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre is an independent performing arts college, located in Sidcup, South East London, in the London Borough of Bexley. The college was founded as a dance school by Doreen Bird in 1946 and ...

(now Bird College), one of the UK's foremost dance and performing arts colleges, with former students working worldwide, including cast members of West End and

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

musicals. The college is also an approved centre for ISTD teacher training. * Betty Laine

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

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 Arts Laine Theatre Arts, sometimes referred to as Laines, is an independent performing arts college, based in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England. The college was founded in 1974 by former professional dancer and dance teacher Betty Laine OBE, an ...

, one of the UK's foremost dance and performing arts colleges, with former students working worldwide, including cast members of West End and

musicals. The college is also an approved centre for ISTD teacher training.

References

External links

ISTD Homepage
{{Authority control Dance education organizations Dance organisations in the United Kingdom Educational charities based in the United Kingdom International organisations based in London 1904 establishments in the United Kingdom Educational organizations established in 1904 Dance education in the United Kingdom