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"8 Things You Should Know Before Making a Career Change". •

Why teach dance?

Do something you love, AND get paid!
Perhaps you've never danced a step in your life or have been taking dance classes just for fun.  Now you're curious about the next step and would like to become a dance teacher.  Have no fear!  Teaching dance is a career option for everyone, and the Illinois Ballroom Teacher's College is the perfect place to start realizing your dream with our dance teacher education program.

It doesn't matter if you're brand new to dancing, are switching from an unrelated career or have been dancing all along, the College is here to make you a successful dance instructor.  Take some time to check out some of the instructor success stores.

Flexible Options
Ballroom dance instructors have many options; from teaching full time in a dance school to teaching a few hours during the week at the local recreation center - you might even choose to offer courses to area schools, at parties or simply teach some private lessons out of your home.

Advancement Opportunities
The Illinois Ballroom Teacher College not only teaches you how to teach, but prepares you to take your professional certification exam in 16 different dances.  Certification enables you to command a higher price for your services by guaranteeing your employer, and the public, that you are a qualified instructor. 

Once you have the Bronze level certification, you have a high level of accomplishment.  In addition, you can continue your training and eventually become a Master Certified teacher, if that is something that you desire.

why choose the illinois ballroom teacher college?

• Our guide, "5 Tips on Choosing the Right School for You", will help you know what questions to ask when choosing a school or program! •


The Curriculum
Our syllabus and education program is the only one like it in the world.  Developed by the "Teacher's Teacher", Diane Jarmolow, and refined over 20 years by dozens of top instructors, it's the finest quality system for learning to teach ballroom dance.

The Staff
Our teachers deliver clear and compassionate instruction with targeted professional guidance. Our entire staff is focused on making your dreams of becoming a dance teacher a reality.

Additional Training - Group Classes & Workshops
Your tuition entitles you not only to the Ballroom Teacher course itself, but also entrance to most of the classes and workshops offered by Heart & Sole Dance.

You get free entry for most group classes and workshops where you get the opportunity to fill in as leader or follower as needed.  A complete list of classes and workshops can be found at www.HeartSoleDance.com.

Please Note:  The Heart & Sole Dance classes that are not free to ILBTC students are:  Celebrity guest workshops taught by visiting teachers, Fitness Classes (Zumba, Yoga, etc...) and Argentine Tango classes and workshops.

Free Practice Time
Students of ILBTC may practice free of charge at the Tinley Park Heart & Sole Studio at designated times or times approved by the Dance Director.

Free Dance Parties
ILBTC students may also attend all regular social dance parties at Heart & Sole Dance AND all regular Genesis Dance parties for free.  Certain special parties are excluded.

Employment Opportunities
Heart & Sole Dance offers ILBTC Trainees opportunities to assist classes and frequently offers teaching positions to top graduates of the ILBTC Training Program, based on the needs of the studio at the time.

Certificate of Completion
When you complete the ILBTC Bronze Training Program (taking all of the exams and handing in all of the homework) you receive a Certificate of Completion from the Illinois Ballroom Teachers College; you have a thorough understanding of 16 dances with the ability, confidence and resources to teach at any studio or on your own; and you will be fully prepared to take a national professional certification exam - should you choose to do so.

Professional Certification Preparation
The Illinois Ballroom Teacher College coursework prepares you to take a national professional certification test.  There are several options. We base our teacher training curriculum on the Dance Vision International Dancers Association (DVIDA) syllabus and exam structure; provide complete and thorough training for all of the DVIDA professional exams; and can schedule a local exam for those that are interested.

* Become a Better Teacher
The process of preparing for your certification exam teaches you dance concepts, a precise vocabulary for describing the technical elements of dance figures, exact alignments, musical terms and concepts and how dancing and music relate.  In addition, the process improves your verbal and presentation skills so that you are clear, succinct, and consistent, teaches you aspects that enable you to choreograph routines for your students and trains your eye, so you will know instantly how to correct your students.

* Become a Better Dancer
The technical expertise required to pass your certification exam will catapult your dancing to an entirely new level.  You will learn the "rules" of technique that will keep your dancing consistent and help you master new, advanced figures.  You'll develop a language that will help you work more effectively in your dance partnerships.  Above all, your confidence will soar with the true mastery of dance technique that will stay with you for the rest of your career.

The Professional Certification process offers extraordinary benefits to dance teachers, deeply enriching their dancing and teaching, and greatly expanding their career opportunities.  Certified dance instructor, Diane Jarmolow says, "Going through the certification training and taking the exams has taken my dancing to a much higher level, given me the ability to run my own school, and has given me entree into the judging arena.  The teachers I know who have become certified unanimously agree that it is the single best thing that they have done for themselves in their dance career."

Optional Certification
If you choose to take the DVIDA Professional Certification exam at the end of your time at the Illinois Ballroom Teacher College, you will be 100% prepared from IBTC coursework and exams you took to get your certificate of completion.

* Declare Your Professional Excellence
The certificate you receive when you pass your professional certification exams declares your expertise to the world.  You'll be able to attract serious students and earn more for your services.  You will be a desirable employee in dance studios around the country.  You can even obtain your judging credentials.  Your certification is the first step in being recognized as a national expert.