Teacher Training

To be a ballroom dance teacher you need to know not just how to dance the steps, but also how to lead and follow each dance you teach. The most successful teachers are capable of not only teaching all 17 dances, but also knowing the musical, technical and historical information for each dance. Come to Revolution Ballroom and in just 16 months or less, we can teach you everything you need to succeed!

The Bronze teacher training courses are for people with no dance background and seasoned professionals alike. The only thing you need is the desire to teach dance. These courses will teach you everything you need to know for a successful career in ballroom dance. You will learn how to lead and follow 17 ballroom dances and how to teach these to others.

To secure your spot in the class, we recommend submitting the $100.00 non-refundable deposit at least 60 days prior to the start of class.

Register online

The Teacher Training curriculum is designed to teach you all the figures of the Bronze American syllabus in 17 dances so that you will know those figures inside and out. It will teach you the elements of the figures and the terminology to teach them with. It will give you practice in presenting in front of the class, and you will be tested frequently to insure retention and facility with the material. Your technique will improve through this process, but these courses are not designed to make you a competitive dancer. That type of training is best done in private lessons.

We recommend about four hours of outside class study per week. However, with the opportunity to take all classes and attend all parties and workshops free of charge at Revolution Ballroom, there are unlimited opportunities to practice. And as we all know, practice makes perfect!

While the gender ratio varies from semester to semester, there tend to be more women than men. However, because all students need to learn both leader and follower roles, the gender balance is irrelevant.

Yes, please call ahead to coordinate your visit. We would be happy to meet with you, answer any questions you may have, and allow you to observe our training. Bronze classes take place Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-7 PM.

As one of the only vocational ballroom teacher training programs in the area, studios know they can turn to us for qualified teachers. We happily pass job listings on to our graduates. Our strong relationship with dance studios in the community will give you a head start to finding the dance job you want.

A Revolution Ballroom graduate always warrants a much higher salary then someone else who has not been formally trained. The salary that staff members make at dances studios varies from studio to studio. However, both the salary of an independent contractor and staff member is based on the value of their lesson, which is directly related to their training and experience. Graduates of the Revolution Ballroom teacher training program are far ahead of the game because they have already received specialized training.

No. The entire curriculum consists of four separate courses and each course takes 4 months to complete. You will receive a certificate upon completion of the required components for each course. If you do finish the entire 16-month curriculum, you will receive four course completion certificates and a Revolution Ballroom Diploma!

All the courses utilize the DVIDA® Syllabus and cover the American Style dances (Smooth, Rhythm, and Nightclub dances).

The DVIDA® System is America’s Leading Ballroom Syllabus consisting of visual media, manuals, charts and certification for students and professionals.ProDVIDA® is a professional teacher organization that is open to all professional dance teachers and competitors. ProDVIDA® encourages and welcomes active participation from its members in developing dance standards, promoting business innovations, and celebrating the art of dance.

A Revolution Ballroom Teacher Training certification recognizes you have successfully completed the vocational teacher training programs and can teach all 17 ballroom dances while the DVIDA® certification recognizes your masterly knowledge of the dances you are certified in at the national level.

By taking two courses and two private lessons per week, the entire 16-month Teacher Training curriculum can be completed in just 8 months!  If you have prior experience, you can also complete the curriculum in just 4 months by taking one course and additional private lessons.

Of course, please contact us so we can help make your dancing dreams come true. Call Marcia at 843.338.2870 or email marcia@RevolutionBallroom.com

*Each course is its own program, and not a prerequisite for any other. Tuition is charged monthly for each course. You will receive a certificate acknowledging your achievement when you complete each course.  At the completion of all four courses you will earn your Revolution Ballroom Diploma!

Classes meet Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 5-7 PM at Revolution Ballroom.

The Teacher Training program provides a professional level of instruction, and we cover a lot of material at a fairly fast pace. Missing any class is not advised, as you can easily fall behind. If you do have to miss a class, you may arrange to work with another students to help you catch up. You may also schedule private lessons with one of the faculty members (for an additional private lesson fee) to make up any work you miss.

In order to teach a specific dance or figure, you need to be able to articulate and demonstrate both the Leader’s and Follower’s part. We spend equal time in class working on both parts, and every trainee is expected to dance with every other trainee as both Leader and Follower, regardless of gender. This is standard practice for professional dance instruction.

Because this is a teaching class, there is a strong emphasis on presentation. You will be expected to present material to the class on a regular basis. For example, you may be asked to demonstrate a figure or to present a brief history of a specific dance. Don’t worry, we hand out assignments in advance, so you will have plenty of time to prepare!

There are four exams per session (five in the Nightclub session). The purpose of the exams is to strengthen your familiarity with the syllabus, to increase your comfort speaking figures’ technical information (which will be necessary when you teach), and to give you an opportunity to show off your ability to dance the figures together in a routine to music.

Scheduled during regular class times, each exam has two components: a dance demonstration and an oral presentation of technical information. No need to stress—we pre-assign both the dance demonstration and the oral questions you will be asked, so you will be able to practice and prepare.

There is also one take-home written test for each dance taught during the quarter. The purpose of these tests is to help you solidify what you have learned and to think like a dance teacher. You may research answers from your class notes, other course materials, online, or any other resource you’d like!

Becoming a dance teacher takes dedication and practice. Each program meets a total of 4 hours a week.  Most students spend quite a bit of time every week studying the material and practicing what they have learned. Though the amount of outside time varies greatly from student to student, please expect to commit 1 hour of study time for every hour you spend in class—about four hours per week.

You are a dance teacher in training, so it’s never too early to start looking the part. Ballroom dance is an elegant pursuit that requires professionalism and poise.

Please dress nicely for class, and dress up for exams. Your attire should be clean, flattering, and professional.  Please do not wear jeans, t-shirts or sloppy clothing.

Required Materials

• DVIDA® manual for the dances taught (i.e., for the Smooth session, you will need the DVIDA® Bronze Smooth manual). Manuals are available online at DanceVision or by calling 800.851.2813.
• Teach Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide for Ballroom Dance Instructor by Diane Jarmolow.  Available here.

Recommended Materials

• DVIDA® DVDs for the dances taught are recommended, but optional. Available at DanceVision or by calling 800.851.2813.

All students will be expected to have proper dance shoes by the second class meeting. This is not an arbitrary aesthetic or fashion consideration. To teach dance, you need the “right tool for the job,” and proper dance shoes are literally the foundation for your dancing!

There are different styles of dance shoes for different styles of dancing, but most Revolution Ballroom students wear a basic “practice shoe,” a practical and durable suede-soled dancing shoe that is made to be comfortable and wearable for long periods. Some students wear flashier shoes or high heeled dance shoes, but this is a matter of personal comfort.

You can purchase dance shoes from any dance shoe retailer or from our studio.  At Revolution Ballroom we offer a 10% discount to our teacher trainees. Just call 843.338.2870.