Dance & Gym USA is an independent Dance Teacher Certification Association that was founded in 1982 by Kathleen Bazzano as a way to recognize dedicated, qualified instructors who are committed to maintaining superior teaching standards in a positive atmosphere of creative learning. Only those instructors who present acceptable credentials and are deserving of recognition will be certified.

Ms. Bazzano has a Bachelor's Degree (BFA) in Dance Performance from Ohio University and a Master's Degree (MFA) in Dance Performance from the University of Illinois.
She has performed professionally and has taught extensively for over 30 years in the western Pennsylvania area. Having recently retired from owning and operating 3 successful dance and gymnastics studios, Ms. Bazzano is now dedicating her time and energy to assuring quallty dance instruction in private dance studios all over the world.

Dance Teacher Certification Exam and/or Study Guide

Dance Teacher Certification Exam $99.99 Dance Teacher Certification Study Guide $39.99 Dance Teacher Certification Exam, Study Guide and Free Booklets $129.99

Instructors must demonstrate a working knowledge of ballet terminology as well as correct body alignment, turn-out and placement. You must have your child clearances as required by law in your area of residence. Please make these clearances known to your clients, as well as posting your Certified Dance Instructor Certificates you receive from us after you have completed your exam.

Dance Classes must be structured in such a way that proper warm-ups are an integral part of each class. Technique must be age appropriate with practical and realistic expectations of dance students. Instructors must demonstrate an understanding that each individual student will learn at her own pace and the lessons must be non-discriminatory in nature.

Certification is awarded by completion of a multiple choice and essay test.
There is a one time fee to take the exam, and once you have been accepted and certified by Dance & Gym USA®, you become a lifetime member.
There are no additional dues or fees.

Your exam will be evaluated and the results will be emailed to you.
When you have been accepted and certified by Dance & Gym USA®, you will receive 2 frameable certificates of acceptance and certification.
You will also gain access to a private link where you can purchase Certified Dance Teacher T-Shirts and merchandise.

There are 54 questions in the multiple choice and essay exam. Please do not feel intimidated, as many of our questions apply to common sense, sensitive, positive teaching methods and a good customer service style.
You can take the test as many times as you need to for the intitial application fee.
If you need to repeat the test, we will email it to you.

View sample essay questions and answers here.

Remember...we need to know your name, address, location, phone number and email address.
Payment is accepted via our PayPal link.

1-888-771-1727.
724-712-9272

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DanceandGym@zoominternet.net

Our exam is based on common sense, an understanding of mature responsible dance instruction and basic ballet vocabulary. Anyone who has at least one year of teaching experience or 1 year of college dance training and is at least 18 years old is elligible to take our online test. Most of the questions are multiple choice.

Here are a few sample essay questions and impressive responses from
our Certified Dance Teachers:
Question #32:
Instructors should strive to develop a consistent teaching syllabus for each level of instruction and each technique......
"Having a consistent teaching syllabus for each level of instruction in incredibly helpful in managing the classroom and developing each level in progressions. When I teach a beginner class, I want my lesson plans to flow into the needs of the next level I hope to take my students to. If I have a consistent syllabus, then I also have a consistent measurement of how well the students are progressing. A syllabus can be altered if needed to improve teaching technique within the goals of the progressions."
-Tammy Toma, Hawaii, USA

Question #50:
Teaching dance classes should be a learning experience for both the students and the instructors...
"Teaching is always a learning experience because you have to learn how to do everything. It is a strange process going from being a dancer to being a dance teacher, but it is such a rewarding and a fun experience being their mentor and watching that light bulb go off in their head when a move or combination clicks for them, and just watching them grow as dancers and knowing that you helped them achieve that."
Lindsay Gray, Texas, USA

Question #54:
Please briefly state why you enjoy teaching dance...and why you think dance training is beneficial for children and adults.
"I love to teach dance! I love the fact that I'm helping students become the dancer they are today and are going to be in the future! Dance training is really beneficial for childrean and adults because you can gain confidence getting up on stage and showing everyone you have that confidence."
- Olivia Thompson, Nova Scotia, Canada

"I have been dancing since I was three years old and I have loved every minute of it! I loved all of my teachers, and I wanted to share my knowledge with others. Dance teaches more than just steps. It teaches self-esteem, self-confidence, determination, hard work and dedication. The things I learned in dance as a child helped me to grow into the adult I am today."
-Allison Kofke, Pennsylvania, USA

"It's like storytelling, in a way. It'll never be something that can be done without
the love of a teacher".
-Kimberly Kristeen Munn, Iowa, USA

"I've always loved dance and being able to teach dance to others and see students improve and love what they're doing...to me is the most rewarding thing."
-Alexandra Steinberg, New York, USA

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