Global PDIA
West Coast Swing Certification Course
Welcome to the Global Professional Dance Instructors Association (GPDIA)
Our goal is to train and certify dance instructors all over the globe using time tested methods by top reputable instructors in all styles of partner dancing but primarily West Coast Swing.
Why should you be a certified instructor? Great question…..But the best question to ask your self is “What qualifies me to teach” There are self proclaimed instructors all over the world that are charging unwarranted rates for lessons that they should be paying to the student instead…..Just because a dancer has won a few local competitions or has been dancing for several years socially doesn’t qualify them to teach…..there are teachers around the world that are excellent at teaching beginners, even though they themselves are not very proficient at the physical dance movements.
Teaching is a skill that takes constant continued education. Why not learn from top highly desired professionals that have been teaching for 20 or more years? You can learn shortcuts and incredible teaching tips to speed up your students learning process with much better results, making it easier to maintain a fully booked teaching schedule.
At a GPDIA course participants will be given the latest techniques, including the most current criteria for social and competitive dancing, including special articles with information that could take teaching skills to the next level.
Once certified, instructors will be listed on the GPDIA website, where event directors and prospective students will have access to their contact information.
Participants will also have the opportunity to attend special GPDIA learning weekends coming soon, where other graduates will come to share and learn in a “dance vacation” environment.
Lastly, you will learn how to take one of the most difficult dances to learn (West Coast Swing) and teach it in a simple and simplified manner that anyone could learn.
The syllabus of this course is clearly outlined as you can see below. Participants are encouraged to wait until the end of the approx. 7 hour certification course before committing to the 1 ½ hour exam. If the participant feels they are not ready to test, they can wait until a later date, giving them time to practice and study their notes.
Course will be taught by Robert Cordoba, a 7 time U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion. He is also a World Swing Dance Council Hall Of Famer and has over 35 years of dancing West Coast Swing and 28 years of teaching experience.
COURSE OUTLINE FOR THE BASIC CERTIFICATION
HOURS 1, 2 & 3……. Introduction to the course, learn a 10-12 step teaching syllabus
(Must learn to lead and follow both partner’s parts with music)
This includes all 10 components;
Foot positions, Footwork, Timing, Connection, Lead, Follow,
Amount of Turn, Alignments, Musicality and Body Position
HOUR 4 ……………Learn to organize your group class or private lesson, learn how to
“Call” moves, kinesthetically, verbally, and visually with music. Class
control
HOUR 5 & 6…………….Learn how to troubleshoot and fix problems commonly found in
typical group class settings as well as during private lessons. Learn
tips and exercises for students to practice on their own.
Choreograph material for a four to five hour course.
Learn tricks to keep your classes exciting. (mock testing begins)
HOUR 7…………….Review (mock testing continues) Questions and Answers. (More
Testing}
DINNER BREAK………..One hour (or more at discretion of course instructor)
EXAM OUTLINE FOR THE BASIC LEVEL
PART ONE……..…Dance lead and follow to music (patterns selected by instructor)
Participants must demonstrate both parts correctly in an appealing
manner. (if it looks good, it sells) Participants may choose their
“guinea pig” partner for the exam, or one will be chosen by the
examiner.
PART TWO…..….Written (please write in as few words as possible with clarity and
precision)
PART THREE…..Oral. must answer questions and possibly demonstrate.
(if explanation is not clear to the examiner, participant will be
asked to physically demonstrate)