Certification Program
About
IDDF Teacher Training Certification
The IDDF Teacher Training Certification programs offer in-depth explorations of curriculum driven learning and pedagogical teaching methods that prepare dance educators to teach not only Duncan Technique, but the philosophical and psychological underpinnings that produce well-rounded Duncan Dancers.
Teachers-in-training will learn how to teach the vocabulary, including partnering, combinations, and movement phrases with physical vigor, musicality, and expression.
The programs include:
Duncan Vocabulary through workshops and technique classes
History/ legacy through lectures and book discussions
Music/Duncan musicality through teaching labs and mentoring sessions
Duncan philosophy/educational approach through lectures and book discussions
Curriculum supported lesson-plan writing and design
Costume design/construction through dance tunic making sessions
For all the programs, it is understood that graduates will maintain an ongoing mentor/mentee relationship with Lori Belilove. Further, graduates will have opportunities to teach, on a referral basis from Lori Belilove, Artistic Director of The Isadora Duncan Foundation, at dance schools and institutions requesting Duncan Dance.
As part of the program, teachers-in-training will be invited to teach sample classes, assist in the classroom, or observe classes offered through the Educational Programs of the Duncan Foundation.
Current Teacher Trainers
Certification is offered at three levels:
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Basic Certification
prepares Teaching Artists to teach Isadora Duncan Technique to children and non-professional adults
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Advanced Certification
prepares Teaching Artists to teach aspiring dancers of intermediate to professional levels
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Master Teacher Program
prepares Teaching Artists to teach advanced levels and set repertorio in college and professional settings
Basic Certification
Basic Studies in the Dance of Isadora Duncan includes attending weekly Duncan classes, in addition to workshops and seminars at IDDF with Lori Belilove & Senior Company Members. Through our online portal students complete readings and online learning programs, view required selected films, and participate in peer coaching and mentoring.
International Students and those living outside the NYC area can attend IDDF’s workshops and intensives offered in cities and countries (Brazil, Athens, China, among others TBA) as they are able as they work to complete the program through our online portal. Through the portal students will view selected films, submit video samples of their teaching and exams, and participate in online conferencing with Lori Belilove & Senior Company Members.
The Basic Certification is broken into 6 Levels. Teachers-in-training complete each level at their own pace. Length of Program: 2-3 years, with emphasis that every teacher-in-training works at their own pace.
Payment Plan #1: General Tuition Plan
Tuition: $6000 + $50 Application Fee
with Payment Plan
Which includes:
Admittance to 90 classes, six five-day workshops (or equivalent days)
Teacher training seminars with Lori Belilove or senior Company members
Online Learning Content
6 Mentoring Sessions
1 Comprehensive Examination (optional to do mini examinations per level)
Upon acceptance into the program$3050 is due towards the total cost. The remaining balance will be due when the teacher-in-training has completed 1 year in the program.
Additional expenses:
Educational Materials (books, tunics, music, teaching props)
Payment Plan #2: Pay-As-You-Go Tuition
Towards Certification: $1200 per level towards Certification (6 total)
Which includes:
Admittance to 15 classes, 1 five-day workshop (or equivalent days), appropriate to your level
Teacher training seminars with Lori Belilove or senior Company members
Online Learning Content through our portal
1 Mentoring Session
Additional Expenses:
$125 per each examination (6 total)
$50 Application Fee
Educational Materials (books, tunics, music, teaching props)
A limited number of scholarships and partial scholarships are available. Make your request known along with your application.
Requirements to Complete Certification:
Examination(s) to demonstrate and teach the basic Duncan vocabulary (video submission acceptable)
Completion of Required Reading list with brief written reports
Completion of 5 additional books on the Recommended Reading list with brief written reports
Viewing of Required Video/Film list with brief written reports
5 hours of coaching/mentoring/supervision of practice teaching (online sessions acceptable)
Completion of all online assessments and assignments
Submission of teaching samples (6 total) (video submission acceptable)
Completion of final teaching project and presentation (video submission acceptable)
For more information on the certification please email info@isadoraduncan.org.
Advanced Certification
Those who have completed Basic Studies in the Dance of Isadora Duncan may apply to continue their studies with Advanced Studies in the Dance of Isadora Duncan. Candidates for Advanced Certification must hold a Certificate in the Dance of Isadora Duncan from IDDF.
Advanced Certification prepares candidates to teach students at the professional level. The program prepares teachers with a clear understanding of pedagogical concepts of Duncan technique; ability to teach the basic vocabulary, center, barre, across-the-floor movement phrases, and improvisation to dancers of all levels. The focus of the advanced level training is to find the clarity and language to specifically teach Duncan dance to profesional level dancers.
Teachers who have completed the Advanced Studies program may have opportunities to teach, on a referral basis from Lori Belilove, Artistic Director of The Isadora Duncan Foundation, at dance schools and institutions requesting Duncan Dance.
The average candidate takes one to two years to complete certification.
Tuition Plans:
Total cost of Advanced Certification: $5,000 + $50 Application Fee
Details: Upon acceptance into the program $2,550 is due towards the total cost. The remaining balance will be due when the teacher-in-training has completed 1 year of the program.
Tuition for 90 classes
4 five-day workshops/seminars or equivalent hours
14 sessions of mentoring and coaching by Lori Belilove
OR Pay-As-You-Go Tuition Towards Certification: $1,500 per level (4 payments total) + $50 application fee
Tuition for 22 classes
1 five-day workshop
3 sessions of mentoring and coaching by Lori Belilove if you are completing Level 1 or 2, and 4 sessions of mentoring and coaching by Lori Belilove if you are completing Level 3 or 4
This cost does not include transportation and housing costs incurred as part of the program, educational materials, or applicable credit card fees.
As the Advanced Certification is for established dance educators, specific re-structuring of number of classes, workshops, and mentoring sessions can be catered to the individual dancer.
For more information on the Advanced Certification, please email info@isadoraduncan.org.
The Master Teacher Program
The Master Teacher Program prepare teachers to set Duncan repertory at the professional level though extensive additional study, and by gaining practical hands-on experience in the field with Lori Belilove and senior members of The Company.
The Master Teacher Program includes one-on-one time with Lori Belilove to learn how to transmit up to five selected Duncan repertory pieces. This program is only open to certified Duncan teachers, who are prepared and demonstrate the skills necessary to be considered.
Tuition: $3000 payable upon acceptance into the program
Additional costs: Educational materials which include music, program & lighting & costume notes, as well as visual materials that support the choreographies.
For more Information on the Master Certification Please email info@isadoraduncan.org
How to Apply
IDDF Teacher Training Certification
Provide your contact information:
Name
Address
Telephone
Email
$50 Application Fee payable by Check or PayPal to The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation
Describe your:
Previous and current dance training
Interest and involvement with the dance of Isadora Duncan and why you would like to receive certification from the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation.
Teaching experience (ages of students, circumstances, institution, etc.)
Dancing goals, as a teacher, performer, and choreographer
Please include three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are in a related field who know you and your background. Further, please describe, as well as you can now, the area(s) in which you might like to specialize for your final project.
Once your application has been received and reviewed, you will be notified of acceptance into the program within two weeks.
Note: While an extensive background in Duncan Technique is not required, applicants are encouraged to gain as much information and familiarity of the history of Duncan Dance and technique as possible before applying.
For more information on the certification please email info@isadoraduncan.org.
FAQs
Certification Program
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While nothing can compare to being live in New York with Lori Belilove, the program is now designed to be fully online and The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation is committed to keep scheduling online workshops and classes. We do host workshops all over the world including NY, California, Brazil, Greece, and China. So, if you are ever able to physically join us at one of these, we would love to have you.
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The Technique Exams and Sample Teaching videos are check-in points to see how you are embodying and interpreting the Duncan vocabulary and to support your growth. Test submissions can be done either live, over Zoom/ Skype/ FaceTime, or filmed and shared VIA Google Drive or WeTransfer.
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Many of our graduates in New York City teach at institutions affiliated with The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation. Abroad graduates of the program include Fatima Suarez who is Artistic Director of Escola Contemporanea de Danca in Brazil, Mayana Mayana Magalhaes who teaches at the Duncan Dance Academy in China, and Amy Jacques and Meg Brooker who currently teach Duncan dance alongside other dance forms at the university level. While completing the program does not guarantee work, IDDF is happy to recommend and support you -because we will be very proud of you! See more graduate testimonials below.
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To gain a deep understanding of the technique and vocabulary of Isadora, her philosophical and educational theories, and historical perspective of Isadora Duncan as she paved the way for modern dance and other artists/women of the time.
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The project is for you to define and investigate your own particular interests in Isadora Duncan dance. Some graduates have created presentations for their cohorts, presentations using students, or written papers and lesson plans which documented the focus of their project. It is highly individual and open for discussion and guidance. Your mode of presentation whether presented live, recorded, or over a Zoom session is also a matter of choice.
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Currently IDDF is offers weekly adult technique classes at varying times to accommodate for different time zones. We are committed to keeping a schedule of online workshops, seminars, and classes to support your distance learning. As a member of our certification program you also have access to our online portal which houses some pre-recorded technique classes which you can take at your leisure.
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We accept candidates into our program all year long. While you may begin the program with a certain group, everyone moves through the program at their own pace.
The Basic Certification Program is designed so candidates move through one level at a time (with a total of 6 levels). A candidate could complete level one and take a few months off before picking up level two, if they needed to. Another candidate might have the motivation to continuous move through all 6 levels. It is up to each student to manage their time and organize their life to have a successful completion. Everything is done at your own pace. We expect you to be committed to finishing the program, and we will support you however we can.
Testimonials