Ballroom, Latin, & Swing Dance Certification Program
If you aspire to become a Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dance instructor or a professional competitor, our program is tailored for you!
While the traditional path to certification can be long and winding, our aim is to streamline your journey to becoming a skilled teacher.
What sets our program apart is our dual identity: we are both an active dance studio with a diverse clientele and a focused teacher-training center. Unlike traditional studios, which prioritize client lessons and often sideline teacher education, Ballroom College is fully committed to our assistant teachers. Our clients are well aware of this focus and participate in classes as part of a mutual learning experience with their (assistant) teacher. This approach allows us to offer lessons at significantly discounted rates. Put simply, the main reason we provide private and group classes is to facilitate the learning of our program enrollees, not merely to increase clientele or revenue.
At the core of our mission is our certification program. Students enrolled in this program receive the majority of the studio manager's time and attention, especially when there are competing needs.
Dance Styles:
Ballroom College specializes in 12 partner dance styles, selected for their prevalence in social and competitive settings.
We offer instruction in the following styles: Bachata, Cha-cha, Country Western Two-Step, East Coast Swing & Lindy Hop, Foxtrot, Hustle, Night Club Two-Step, Rumba, Salsa, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Waltz, and West Coast Swing.
Overview
Our Dance & Teacher Certification Program spans 20 to 40 weeks, depending on whether you opt for part-time or full-time enrollment, the depth of study you choose, and your movement and teaching experience.
Part-Time: 2 days per week, totaling 8 hours
Full-Time: 4 days per week, totaling 16 hours
Program Depth:
Foundations: In the dance component, you'll cover the basics across all 12 styles we teach, focusing on leader and follower figures, footwork, and musicality. This level corresponds to Bronze 1 & 2 in traditional dance curricula.
In the teaching component, you'll gain hands-on experience with actual clients, honing skills in hospitality, lesson preparation, and lesson structure.
Duration: Approximately 224 hours, including teaching time
Continued Foundations: The dance portion delves into technique, posture, and performance, equivalent to Bronze 3 & 4 in traditional dance levels.
In teaching, you'll continue to engage with real clients and build on your foundational skills, adding layers of understanding in learning styles, sales techniques, and interpersonal dynamics.
Duration: Approximately 224 hours, including teaching time
Full Course: This combines Foundations and Continued Foundations. Upon completion, you'll exhibit proficiency in leader and follower figures, footwork, musicality, posture, and performance. Additionally, you'll demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate these elements to a diverse clientele.
Duration: Approximately 428 hours, including teaching time
Certification: Should you opt for certification, you'll be eligible to take the certification exam after completing either the Continued Foundations or the Beginner Dancer program. The exam is administered by Matthew Sove, founder of BC, BDC, and the PDCA.
Cost
Foundations (~Bronze 1 & 2):
Part-time: $250/week, with a minimum 20-week commitment.
Full-time: $400/week, with a minimum 13-week commitment.
Continued Foundations (~Bronze 3 & 4):
Part-time: $250/week, with a minimum 20-week commitment.
Full-time: $400/week, with a minimum 13-week commitment.
Full Course: (~Bronze 1, 2, 3, 4)
Part-time: $250/week, with a minimum 40-week commitment.
Full-time: $400/week, with a minimum 26-week commitment.
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Certification Testing: $350
Deposit: $1,000 for Part-time, $1,600 for Full-time.
The deposit covers the cost of your first two weeks and last two weeks in the program and is non-refundable once you've started the course.
Payment Plans: weekly autopay is required for the minimum commitment. Longer Term payment plans are available.
Certification
Certification through the Ballroom College is not required in order for you to participate in the program, but it does offer a repetitional benefit for those who are looking to make teaching partner dance a career path.
If you are looking to teach and compete as a professional, certification is not necessary, but will certainly give you more credibility and open up opportunities at other schools and professional organizations.
Getting Started
If you are ready to get started, you can apply here.
If you still have some questions you would like to run by someone at the school, please submit a request for more information and someone will get back to you!
Testing:
While enrolled at Ballroom College, you'll undergo periodic assessments conducted by the lead instructors. If you opt for certification, your final exam will be administered by Matthew Sove, the founder of BC, BDC, and the PDCA.