There are four nationally recognized syllabi in the US. They are Fred Astaire, Arthur Murray, DVIDA, and USISTD. These four groups each have their own patterns lists, examiners, and testing standards.

Within each of these groups there are medal or trophy levels. There is a social level, bronze, silver, gold. These are in a progression order of difficulty and proficiency. As you progress through the levels not only do the patterns become more intricate but a higher standard of style and technique is expected.

The exams and awards given by these groups are also separated into student exams, student teacher (sometimes), and professional exams.

Each syllabus has a separate exam for each level at each standard. For example you could take a silver student exam, or a bronze teacher exam. There are also examiner exams and competition judge exams.

Some dance studio owners will hire in people to do ‘exams’ setting their own standards. They might even pass a student through a level in order to sell them their next lesson package. The studio owner can also set the standards for their teacher exams. These exams are not certifications, not nationally recognized, and are worthless outside of that particular studio owners business.

These facts are why at BTDS we can say without contradiction that we are currently the only place in the area with real certifications. I have personally taken about a dozen different teacher exams in different syllabi and received various certifications in bronze, silver, gold, and examiner. I have helped prepare literally dozens of professionals and hundreds of students for their exams.

As a promoter and practitioner of good dance technique I encourage any professional instructor to become truly certified. I recommend USISTD, as their standards are the most highly regarded. I also applaud the process of studying every detail in preparation for these exams. While student exams are just dancing, the professional exams are very tough one-on-one dancing and verbal exams lasting 2-3 hours per level.

We know most people just want to learn some social dancing, but if you are interested in a student or teacher exam I can help prepare you and get an official usistd examiner here to administer the exam.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

Hello Dancers,

We would like to offer you all a gift. Attached is a gift certificate for a FREE half hour private lesson. There is no obligation, no conditions, and as always we will not try to convince you to take more lessons.

You may use this anytime during January, February, or March of 2012. You may want to use it right away, or save it to use for catching up if you miss a group class. Maybe you just want to pop in and review a pattern you forgot or work on furthering your technique… how you use it is totally up to you.

If you are already taking private lessons just turn it in and the lesson will be added onto your account.

In addition to that we would also like for you to spread the cheer. You may forward this email on to anyone else who might like a free lesson as well. It may be someone we missed in our email address book (we have over 900 contacts in our email list), it may be someone who used to be in the studio but haven’t been around for a while, or it could be someone who has never been to one of our lessons at all.

If you would rather you can even print it out and give it to someone that does not have email.

We only have one condition:  only one free lesson per couple/single.

Timothy & Annessia Nyman
Black Tie Dance Studio
“The Dance Professionals”

PS. Please sign up for an account on our website so we can keep you up to date with schedules, snow cancellations and class videos.. plus dance related games, puzzles and a whole lot more fun things. 2012 is going to be great!!!