Thread: Certification

How many of you have certification in the dance? I have been thinking about it lately and I am torn. I have been told it is just a piece of paper saying you know the technique. If that is the case, is it really worth the hundreds of dollars for a piece of paper?

Depends on what you need it for- there are some very good programs that do help you prepare for teaching- totally worth it if you feel you need something like that- tho a mentorship is a more common method of passing on this info

If you are looking at a position in a fitness department (or social activity department) at a University, or a gym, or for corporate events, certification *could* be helpful, but you should talk to the folks you will be applying to to find out what they actually want. Many want fitness training, like an ACE personal training certificate rather than your dance creds (tho they want evidence that you do have training too!)

I don't see the piece of paper itself as a huge benefit if you are teaching on your own, tho putting it on a website or bio might have some small reassuring value to the gen. pub.

I think if you do it, you should do it because it means something to YOU- because YOU will benefit from the training. not for the paper.

You mean certification "in dance" or in "bellydance"?

I have certification as a dance teacher - not specifically in belly dance. It was a two year part-time University course and cost me several thosand dollars. Was it useful - yes, it taught many things that even with a High School teaching diploma and several years part-time Safe Dance study were new - plus several topics I had never before looked into.

Did it help me get any work? No.

Do you need the piece of paper, or do you need to know all of what the piece of paper symbolizes that you know?

In the end, a marriage license, a diploma, a certification -- each one is just a piece of paper. But each piece symbolizes something important.

I'm thinking about flying up to do Hadia's teacher certification training because it seems to be (from talking with other Bhuzzers) the best and most thorough option. I know the people who have done her certification seemed to have gotten a lot out of it, and it has quite a bit of "street credentials" in the dance community.

The generic dance organizations like DanceMasters have certification programs as well, which might be useful to attend, but they usually focus on teaching classical ballet, jazz and modern dance. Still, any training is probably a good thing. Fitness instructor certification is recommended a lot and comes with a lot of its own benefits.

Originally Posted by Belliedansa

How many of you have certification in the dance? I have been thinking about it lately and I am torn. I have been told it is just a piece of paper saying you know the technique. If that is the case, is it really worth the hundreds of dollars for a piece of paper?

That piece of paper is worthless if you have handed over hundreds of dollars and been given it for just turning up.
If your technique has been tested, you have been given lots of information and guidedance, you have been tested on all kinds of allied issues such as health and safety and legislation and you have PASSED examination, then it is worth it. That's what happens on the JWAAD foundation course here in the UK and I went on it to reinforce my fitness to teach (I am(or rather was) a professional teacher anyway)this dance with teachers I respected. I had fellow teachers locally to me scoff at me for doing so..."oh you'll hand your money over and get your peice of paper". Well no, I knew 40% do not make the grade and if I'd fail, I might no longer be able to get my PLI with our dance association scheme.
What you have to do is investigate wether that piece of paper is worth the paper and ink.
I am (potentially depending on uptake) employed by colleges to teach this autumn and both required me to say how I was qualified to teach. The pieces of paper from academic degree to first aid to teching and dancing certificate were all noted!
There are plenty of teachers out there with years of experience and no pieces of paper and they do fine. Their longevity in running classes is probably proof enough. As a new dancer/teacher might do well though to consider good certification courses run by reputable organisations.

I first got Keti Sharif's "A-Z" (both Original and Advanced) bellydance training certification. It's true that it's a nice piece of paper ..l;, but it was pretty useful.
"Arabesque Pro Course" in Canada gave me a "piece of paper" as well, but the most important thing was the experience.
I also did JWAAD foundation course, but unfortunalety I was unable to attend the "diploma", because one of the trips to England coincided with my Ph.D defense. I lost the payment I had made, but anyway...