International Dance Teachers Association
Encyclopedia
The International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) 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. The IDTA is a validated dance awarding body of the Council for Dance Education and Training
, and is also affiliated to the British Dance Council
, the Central Council of Physical Recreation and the Theatre Dance Council International. The IDTA also works in partnership with the Royal Academy of Dance
. It publishes their magazine for members Dance International
six times a year.
The earliest predecessor of today's IDTA was the Manchester and Salford Association of Teachers of Dancing, founded in 1903. This later became known as the Empire Society, (ESTD), in 1938. In 1920, another group of teachers in Birmingham formed the Midland Association of Dance Teachers (MATD), which eventually merged with the Empire Society in 1961 to form the Dance Teachers' Association.
In the early post-World War I
years, a number of other small dance organisations were formed: the English Dancing Masters Association (EDMA), the Premier Association of Teachers of Dancing (PATD), the Universal Association of Dane Teachers (UADT), and the Yorkshire Association of Dancing Masters (YADM). These four organisations merged in 1930 to form the International Dancing Masters' Association.
The final merger of these organisations in 1967, saw the creation of today's International Dance Teachers' Association.
For students, the IDTA provides training opportunities with qualified dance teachers worldwide, both in private and mainstream dance education. Training is available in a wide range of dance disciplines, with examinations leading to a range of awards and certificates for successful candidates, including vocational examinations for students who wish to pursue a career in professional dance. Examinations and awards are available for a variety of ages and abilities.
The IDTA also awards dance teaching qualifications and has a certification programme for dance students and professionals who wish to gain a recognised dance teaching qualification. There are three levels of qualification that certify teachers to enter candidates for IDTA examinations, they are Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship. Fellowship is the highest level of qualification within the IDTA and teachers who have reached this level may apply to become examiners of the IDTA.
Beyond dance training and examinations, the IDTA is also one of the World's foremost organisations in the field of competitive dancing, and in this role organises numerous competitions, dance festivals and championships both in the UK and internationally, and is influential in the regulation and adjudication of such competitions. In the UK in particular, the IDTA organises the competitions for the much sought after titles of Miss Dance of Great Britain
and Dance Master UK
, and also the IDTA Theatre Dance Championships. Entrants for these prestigious competitions compete in heats at dance festivals nationwide throughout the year, for a place in the annual National finals in Blackpool.
The IDTA is also responsible for the presentation of the annual Carl Alan Awards
. Little known outside the dance industry, the Carl Alan Award is a highly regarded honour within the dance community, as it is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to dance. Awards are given in a variety of categories, with recipients including performers, teachers, and choreographers, and also for special services and a lifetime achievement award.
IDTA issues the monthly Dance International Magazine, which is distributed free of charge to all fully paid-up members of the organisation and includes important news for the month ahead. This includes information about any changes to the IDTA examination system, dates of meetings and seminars, general news and other vital information that teachers need.
. Each of these two sectors covers a range of dance styles, each with an elected faculty committee that oversee the standards and development of the discipline. The IDTA offers the following dance subjects:
There are five levels of certification for candidates undertaking teacher training:
The following three levels are different levels of qualified teachers and all are authorised to teach the IDTA syllabus and enter candidates for examinations:
A teacher who has achieved Fellowship status in all four core subjects of the theatre branch, can apply to become an examiner for the branch. Candidates who are successful in the selection process to become an examiner, then visit dance schools as a representative of the organisation, assessing pupils' dancing and providing feeback on how they can improve. They also provide feedback to the teachers, to ensure that standards are being maintained and that the syllabus is being correctly taught. Examiners can also vote for and be nominated for election to one of the theatre branch's technical committees, which oversee the development of the syllabus in each discipline. This is one of the most senior roles in the organisation.
. A press release issued to members of each organisation stated that "the two organisations would embark on a process of working together for the future of dance and to the mutual benefit of their members in both teacher education and training and examinations".
As a result of this association, registered teachers of the IDTA theatre dance branch are admitted as teacher members of the RAD and vice versa, teachers of the RAD are admitted to membership of the theatre branch of the IDTA. Whilst the new association is not a merger, it is intended that it will develop co-operation between the two organisations and mutual recognition of the training and qualifications that they both provide. It is also expected that in the future, both the IDTA and RAD will begin to work together, providing new training and development opportunities for members and students of both organisations.
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, 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...
. 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. The IDTA is a validated dance awarding body of 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 affiliated to 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 Central Council of Physical Recreation and the Theatre Dance Council International. The IDTA also works in partnership with the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
The 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...
. It publishes their magazine for members Dance International
six times a year.
History
The International Dance Teachers Association was formed in 1967 as the result of a merger between the Dance Teachers' Association (DTA), and the International Dancing Masters Association (IDMA). Both these organisations were themselves formed from the merging of older dance teaching associations, with the earliest being established in 1903. The IDTA subsequently celebrated its centenary in 2003.The earliest predecessor of today's IDTA was the Manchester and Salford Association of Teachers of Dancing, founded in 1903. This later became known as the Empire Society, (ESTD), in 1938. In 1920, another group of teachers in Birmingham formed the Midland Association of Dance Teachers (MATD), which eventually merged with the Empire Society in 1961 to form the Dance Teachers' Association.
In the early post-World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
years, a number of other small dance organisations were formed: the English Dancing Masters Association (EDMA), the Premier Association of Teachers of Dancing (PATD), the Universal Association of Dane Teachers (UADT), and the Yorkshire Association of Dancing Masters (YADM). These four organisations merged in 1930 to form the International Dancing Masters' Association.
The final merger of these organisations in 1967, saw the creation of today's International Dance Teachers' Association.
Activities
The IDTA exists primarily as a dance training and examination board.For students, the IDTA provides training opportunities with qualified dance teachers worldwide, both in private and mainstream dance education. Training is available in a wide range of dance disciplines, with examinations leading to a range of awards and certificates for successful candidates, including vocational examinations for students who wish to pursue a career in professional dance. Examinations and awards are available for a variety of ages and abilities.
The IDTA also awards dance teaching qualifications and has a certification programme for dance students and professionals who wish to gain a recognised dance teaching qualification. There are three levels of qualification that certify teachers to enter candidates for IDTA examinations, they are Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship. Fellowship is the highest level of qualification within the IDTA and teachers who have reached this level may apply to become examiners of the IDTA.
Beyond dance training and examinations, the IDTA is also one of the World's foremost organisations in the field of competitive dancing, and in this role organises numerous competitions, dance festivals and championships both in the UK and internationally, and is influential in the regulation and adjudication of such competitions. In the UK in particular, the IDTA organises the competitions for the much sought after titles of Miss Dance of Great Britain
Miss Dance of Great Britain
Miss Dance of Great Britain is a stage dance competition for girls, which is held annually in the United Kingdom.-Overview:Miss Dance of Great Britain is a long running theatre dance competition for girls, established and organised by the International Dance Teachers Association. The national...
and Dance Master UK
Dance Master UK
-Overview:Dance Master UK was established in the late 1990s by the International Dance Teachers Association, as the male equivalent of their long running competition Miss Dance of Great Britain. Dance Master UK is a theatre dance competition for boys held annually in the UK with a national final...
, and also the IDTA Theatre Dance Championships. Entrants for these prestigious competitions compete in heats at dance festivals nationwide throughout the year, for a place in the annual National finals in Blackpool.
The IDTA is also responsible for the presentation of the annual Carl Alan Awards
Carl Alan Awards
The 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...
. Little known outside the dance industry, the Carl Alan Award is a highly regarded honour within the dance community, as it is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to dance. Awards are given in a variety of categories, with recipients including performers, teachers, and choreographers, and also for special services and a lifetime achievement award.
IDTA issues the monthly Dance International Magazine, which is distributed free of charge to all fully paid-up members of the organisation and includes important news for the month ahead. This includes information about any changes to the IDTA examination system, dates of meetings and seminars, general news and other vital information that teachers need.
Dance styles
The IDTA is divided into two distinct branches, the Theatre Branch branch and the Ballroom BranchBallroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
. Each of these two sectors covers a range of dance styles, each with an elected faculty committee that oversee the standards and development of the discipline. The IDTA offers the following dance subjects:
Theatre faculties
- Classical BalletClassical balletClassical Ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles, it adheres to traditional ballet technique. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet...
- Freestyle
- Gymnastic DanceAcro danceAcro dance is a style of dance that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements. It is defined by its athletic character, its unique choreography, which seamlessly blends dance and acrobatics, and its use of acrobatics in a dance context...
- Modern Jazz
- Musical TheatreMusical theatreMusical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
- Rhythmic GymnasticsRhythmic gymnasticsRhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals or teams of competitors manipulate one or two pieces of apparatus: rope, clubs, hoop, ball, ribbon and Free . An individual athlete only manipulates 1 apparatus at a time...
- TapTap danceTap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sound of one's tap shoes hitting the floor as a percussive instrument. As such, it is also commonly considered to be a form of music. Two major variations on tap dance exist: rhythm tap and Broadway tap. Broadway tap focuses more on the...
- Theatrecraft
Ballroom faculties
- BallroomBallroomA ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
- Foxtrot, Quickstep, Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz - Freestyle
- LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
- Argentine Tango, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Mambo, Merengue, Paso Doble, Rumba, Salsa, Samba - Musical Theatre
- Sequence danceSequence danceSequence dancing is a form of dance in which a preset pattern of movements is followed, usually to music which is also predetermined. Sequence dancing may include dances of many different styles. The term may include ballroom dances which move round the floor as well as line, square and circle...
- Saunter, Two Step, TangoTango (ballroom)Ballroom Tango is a ballroom dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the dance....
, Swing (dance)Swing (dance)"Swing dance" is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1950s, although the earliest of these dances predate swing jazz music. The best known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, a popular partner dance that originated in Harlem and is still danced today...
, GavotteGavotteThe gavotte originated as a French folk dance, taking its name from the Gavot people of the Pays de Gap region of Dauphiné, where the dance originated. It is notated in 4/4 or 2/2 time and is of moderate tempo...
, old timeOld Time"Old time" , "old timey" and "olde tyme" are terms used to describe stereotyped images and representations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, generally not more than a generation before or after the turn of the century. The term "old timeyness" is used more rarely...
waltz, bluesBluesBlues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
Theatre branch
People who wish to become dance teachers with the theatre branch of the IDTA, can undetake a teacher training programme with an authorised member of the organisation. Candidates can undertake teacher training in one of the core theatre dance subjects of Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz or Theatrecraft. To become recognised as a qualified teacher member of the IDTA, the candidate must achieve Associate status in at least one of these core subjects, which subsequently authorises them to teach the complete IDTA syllabus in all theatre dance subjects.There are five levels of certification for candidates undertaking teacher training:
- Pre-Associate 1: Denotes a student teacher who is not permitted to teach without supervision. Has studied part of the graded syllabus for the relevant subject
- Pre-Associate 2: Denotes a student teacher who is not permitted to teach without supervision. Has completed study of the graded syllabus for the relevant subject
The following three levels are different levels of qualified teachers and all are authorised to teach the IDTA syllabus and enter candidates for examinations:
- Associate (AIDTA): A qualified teacher who has completed detailed study in the teaching of the Intermediate syllabus for the relevant subject
- Licentiate (LIDTA): A qualified teacher who has completed detailed study in the teaching of the Advanced 1 syllabus for the relevant subject
- Fellowship (FIDTA): A qualified teacher who has completed detailed study in the teaching of the Advanced 2 syllabus for the relevant subject
A teacher who has achieved Fellowship status in all four core subjects of the theatre branch, can apply to become an examiner for the branch. Candidates who are successful in the selection process to become an examiner, then visit dance schools as a representative of the organisation, assessing pupils' dancing and providing feeback on how they can improve. They also provide feedback to the teachers, to ensure that standards are being maintained and that the syllabus is being correctly taught. Examiners can also vote for and be nominated for election to one of the theatre branch's technical committees, which oversee the development of the syllabus in each discipline. This is one of the most senior roles in the organisation.
Associations
From the 1st October 2006, the IDTA began a new association with the London based Royal Academy of DanceRoyal Academy of Dance
The 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...
. A press release issued to members of each organisation stated that "the two organisations would embark on a process of working together for the future of dance and to the mutual benefit of their members in both teacher education and training and examinations".
As a result of this association, registered teachers of the IDTA theatre dance branch are admitted as teacher members of the RAD and vice versa, teachers of the RAD are admitted to membership of the theatre branch of the IDTA. Whilst the new association is not a merger, it is intended that it will develop co-operation between the two organisations and mutual recognition of the training and qualifications that they both provide. It is also expected that in the future, both the IDTA and RAD will begin to work together, providing new training and development opportunities for members and students of both organisations.
Structure
- President: Richard Hopkins
- President Elect: Dawn Parker
- Immediate Past President: Colin Donaldson
- Chief Executive: Keith Holmes
- Finance Director: George Coad
- Honorary Director: Leonard Armstrong
- Directors: Richard Hopkins (President), Dawn Parker (President Elect), Colin Donaldson (Immediate Past President) and George Coad (Financial Director). Also Dereck Brown, Frances Clayton, Philip Diment, Bobbie Drakeford, Yvonne Goût, Lynda King, John Knight, Patricia Lupino Thompson, Michael Sandham, Barbara Sharples, Judith Silvester, Derek Tonks, Jane Tumelty, Phil Winston.
Patrons
- HRH Shaikha Mai Al Khalifa of Bahrain
- Lord and Lady Fearn of SouthportRonnie Fearn, Baron FearnRonald Cyril Fearn, Baron Fearn OBE is a British politician and Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords.He was educated at King George V Grammar School, Southport and had a career in banking. He is also a Sefton Metropolitan Borough councilor and a former Merseyside county councilor...
- Lionel BlairLionel BlairLionel Blair is a British actor, choreographer, tap dancer and television presenter. He is the son of Myer Ogus and Deborah Greenbaum...
- Dame Yve Buckland
- Donnie BurnsDonnie BurnsDonnie Burns MBE was born in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1961. He is a Scottish professional ballroom dancer, specialising in Latin dance....
, MBE - Darcey BussellDarcey BussellDarcey Andrea Bussell CBE is a retired English ballerina. Trained at the Arts Educational School and the Royal Ballet School, she was later employed by the Royal Ballet, where she was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer and would become recognised as one of the greatest English ballerinas of...
, CBE - Karen Hilton, MBE & Marcus Hilton, MBEKaren and Marcus HiltonKaren Hilton, MBE and Marcus Hilton, MBE are a British dance couple, noted for competing in the disciplines of Ballroom and Latin American at both amateur and professional level. They have held a number of championship titles, including the World Professional Ballroom Championship, which they have...
- Stanley HoStanley HoStanley Ho, GBM, GLM, GBS, GML, OBE , also known as Ho Hung Sun, Stanley Ho Hung Sun, is an entrepreneur in Hong Kong and Macau. Ho is sometimes nicknamed "The King of Gambling", reflecting the government-granted monopoly he held of the Macau gambling industry for 40 years...
, 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...
Ballroom branch
- Guy Howard – Former dancer and teacher of Ballroom Dance and author of "Technique of Ballroom Dancing"
- Walter LairdWalter LairdWalter William Laird was a major influence in the development of Latin American dancing in Britain after the Second World War. He was World Professional Latin Dance Champion three times. He coached many successful dancers including Allan Tornsberg, Vibeke Toft, Espen Salberg, Jukka Haapalainen,...
– Former dancer and teacher of Latin American Dance and author of "Technique of Latin American Dancing" - Len GoodmanLen GoodmanLeonard Gordon 'Len' Goodman is a British professional ballroom dancer, dance judge, and coach. He is a leading personality on television dance programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars and runs a ballroom dance school in Dartford, Kent.-Early life and career:Goodman was...
– Former Ballroom Dance Champion, now a teacher, examiner and adjudicator. Goodman is head judge on the BBC1 series Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom... - Bassam Hanafi – The only Canadian Professional Examiner appointed by IDTA board.
Theatre branch
- Deborah BullDeborah BullDeborah Bull CBE is an English dancer, writer, and broadcaster and Creative Director of the Royal Opera House.Born in Derby, and brought up in Kent and Lincolnshire, she studied dance from the age of seven, first locally, and then, on the recommendation of her teacher, at the Royal Ballet School...
– Former Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. Studied IDTA prior to joining the Royal Ballet SchoolRoyal Ballet SchoolThe Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London... - Frances Clayton – Senior examiner and director of the IDTA. Founder and Principal of the Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama, one of the UKs leading performing arts colleges
- Vanessa HooperVanessa HooperVanessa Hooper, FIDTA, ARAD, is a retired English ballerina and theatre dancer who now works as a dance teacher, freelance choreographer, lecturer and examiner...
– Former dancer with the Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet TheatreNorthern Ballet TheatreNorthern Ballet, formerly Northern Ballet Theatre, is a dance company based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, with a strong repertoire in theatrical dance productions where the emphasis is on story telling as well as classical ballet...
. Senior examinerExaminerThe Examiner was a weekly paper founded by Leigh and John Hunt in 1808. For the first fifty years it was a leading intellectual journal expounding radical principles, but from 1865 it repeatedly changed hands and political allegiance, resulting in a rapid decline in readership and loss of...
of the IDTA and dance tutor for the television series Ladette to LadyLadette to LadyLadette to Lady is a reality based series that first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV in June 2005. The series was produced by UK-based RDF Media.... - Jennifer EllisonJennifer EllisonJennifer Lesley Ellison is an English actress, glamour model, television personality, dancer and singer...
– British actress and model, who won titles at the IDTA Theatre Dance Championships in 1996 and 1997, later training at the Royal Ballet Lower SchoolRoyal Ballet SchoolThe Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London... - Kevin O'HareKevin O'HareKevin O'Hare is a former professional ballet dancer who is now the Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet.-Biography:Kevin was born to Irish parents in Kingston upon Hull , where he trained at the Vera Skelton School of Dance. He also attended classes with Louise Browne, at what would become...
– Studied IDTA and at the Royal Ballet SchoolRoyal Ballet SchoolThe Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
. Danced with Birmingham Royal BalletBirmingham Royal BalletBirmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
and The Royal Ballet and is now Administrative Director for the Royal Ballet - Michael O'Hare – Studied IDTA and at the Royal Ballet SchoolRoyal Ballet SchoolThe Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
. Danced with Birmingham Royal BalletBirmingham Royal BalletBirmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
and The Royal Ballet and is now Ballet MasterBallet MasterBallet Master is the term used for an employee of a ballet company who is responsible for the level of competence of the dancers in their company...
for Birmingham Royal Ballet - Natasha OughtredNatasha OughtredNatasha Oughtred is an English ballerina and a principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.- Biography :Natasha Oughtred was born in North Cave, a village near Kingston upon Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
– Studied IDTA and at the Royal Ballet SchoolRoyal Ballet SchoolThe Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
. Former dancer with the Royal Ballet, currently a Principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet - Patricia Lupino-Thompson – Senior examiner and theatre council member of the IDTA. Is most noted for being a living descendent of the famous Lupino familyLupino familyLupino was the surname of a British theatre family tradition that could trace their roots back to an Italian émigré of the early 17th century. This family tradition comprised two actual families *the earlier Luppino or Lupino family...
Honorary members
- Arlene PhillipsArlene PhillipsArlene Phillips OBE is an English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer, who has worked in many fields of entertainment...
was admitted as an honorary member of the IDTA in 2006, in recognition of her work in the field of dance. Phillips is credited with the creation of 70s dance troup Hot GossipHot Gossip-Formation:Arlene Phillips came to London to learn and teach developing American Jazz dance routines. Employed as a dance teacher, she taught at locations including the Pineapple Dance Studios and the Italia Conti Stage School. In 1974, Phillips started forming the core of a troupe; Italia Conti...
, and is the renowned choreographer of award winning 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 including The Sound Of Music, Starlight ExpressStarlight ExpressStarlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber , Richard Stilgoe and Arlene Phillips , with later revisions by Don Black and David Yazbek . The story follows a child's dream in which his toy train set comes to life; famously the actors perform wearing roller skates...
, GreaseGrease (musical)Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
, Saturday Night FeverSaturday Night Fever (musical)This is an article about the stage musical. For the article on the 1977 film, see Saturday Night FeverSaturday Night Fever is a musical with a book by Nan Knighton and music and lyrics by the Bee Gees.Based on Nik Cohn's 1975 New York Magazine article "Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night" and...
and We Will Rock YouWe Will Rock You (musical)We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
. She is most famous today as a judge for television talent shows, such as Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
and So You Think You Can DanceSo You Think You Can Dance (UK)So You Think You Can Dance is a televised dance competition and reality show that launched in the United Kingdom in January 2010 and similar to the version of the program that has began airing in the USA in 2005. The show is broadcast on BBC One. The content of the show is similar premise to the...
. - Ken DoddKen DoddKenneth Arthur Dodd OBE is a British comedian and singer songwriter, famous for his frizzy hair or “fluff dom” and buck teeth or “denchers”, his favourite cleaner, the feather duster and his greeting "How tickled I am!", as well as his send-off “Lots and Lots of Happiness!”...
was admitted as an honorary member of the IDTA in recognition of his contribution to the entertainments industry. Dodd is a well known British comedian, most famous for traditional music hall style entertainment, although he has also appeared in drama and is a songwriter. - Rosemarie FordRosemarie FordRosemarie Ford is an English dancer, actress and television presenter.-Television career:Ford is best known for her stint as the female host on the BBC TV game show The Generation Game with Bruce Forsyth in the early 1990s. She later hosted Come Dancing, again for the BBC...
is a well known British television personality from the 1990s, particularly recognised as Bruce Forsythe's co-presenter of The Generation GameThe Generation GameThe Generation Game was a British gameshow produced by the BBC in which four teams of two competed to win prizes...
. Rosemarie Poundford, to give her full name, trained as a dancer with an IDTA teacher from a young age and in 1978, won the prestigious title of "Miss Dance of Great Britain". In 1998, she performed the role of 'Bombalurina'Bombalurina (cat)Bombalurina is a fictional character in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. She's a flirtatious red Queen with a white chest and black spots.Bombalurina plays a large role in the musical, dancing and singing several solo and duet parts...
for the official film production of Andrew Lloyd Webber'sAndrew Lloyd WebberAndrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
musical "Cats".Cats (musical)Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot...
See also
- 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) - Imperial Society of Teachers of DancingImperial Society of Teachers of DancingThe Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing 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...
(ISTD) - 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) - 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)