Beyond the Acronyms: Understanding Dance Certifications at Epic Dance Complex
As a parent exploring dance education options for your child, you’ve likely encountered a dizzying array of letters after instructors’ names: RAD, CDTA, ADTA, ADAPT. But what do these certifications actually mean for your dancer’s development? At Epic Dance Complex, we believe in transparency about our professional qualifications and why they matter for your child’s dance journey.
The Value of Professional Dance Certification
When you entrust your child to a dance studio, you’re not just signing up for a recreational activity—you’re investing in an educational experience that shapes physical development, artistic expression, and personal confidence. Just as you would expect a math teacher to have proper educational credentials, dance instructors should hold recognized qualifications that demonstrate their expertise.
Our founder and director, Desirae Graham, holds multiple prestigious certifications including ARAD status, ADAPT Tap and Jazz teacher qualifications, RAD Registered Teacher status, CDTA Licentiate in Tap and Jazz, and ADTA Junior/Intermediate certification. These aren’t just impressive acronyms—they represent years of rigorous training, examination, and continuing education that directly benefit your child.
Breaking Down the Certification Systems
RAD: The Gold Standard in Ballet Education
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has been setting the global standard for ballet education since 1920. This London-based organization has developed a comprehensive syllabus that carefully introduces ballet concepts in a developmentally appropriate sequence.
At Epic Dance Complex, our RAD-certified instruction means your child receives:
- Age-appropriate technical training that respects physical development
- Proper anatomical alignment and injury prevention techniques
- Connection to a classical ballet tradition with worldwide recognition
- Opportunity to participate in standardized examinations
- A solid foundation that transfers to any future dance training
Whether your child dreams of dancing professionally or simply wants to experience the joy of movement, RAD training provides the technical foundation that makes all things possible.
CDTA: Canadian Excellence in Multiple Disciplines
The Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) maintains high standards for dance education across multiple disciplines including tap, jazz, acro, and modern dance. As a Canadian organization, CDTA understands our cultural context and develops syllabi that resonate with Canadian dancers.
Our CDTA-certified instruction provides:
- Comprehensive technical development in tap, jazz, acro, and modern dance
- Canadian content that celebrates our national dance heritage
- Clear progression paths with achievable milestones
- Examination opportunities that recognize achievement
- Consistent terminology and approach across all classes
The CDTA system ensures that Epic Dance Complex students develop proper technique while celebrating the diversity of dance styles.
ADTA: Safety First in Acrobatic Dance
Acrobatic dance combines elements of dance with gymnastics skills, requiring specialized knowledge of safe teaching practices. The Acrobatic Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) focuses specifically on the safe and effective teaching of acro dance.
Our ADTA-certified instruction ensures:
- Specialized training with emphasis on safety
- Progressive skill development from basic to advanced elements
- Proper spotting techniques and injury prevention
- Clear benchmarks for advancement
- Integration of dance artistry with acrobatic elements
When your child takes acro classes at Epic Dance Complex, you can be confident they’re learning tumbling and flexibility skills safely while maintaining proper dance technique.
ADAPT: Precision in Tap and Jazz
Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT) is a respected certification system focused primarily on tap and jazz dance. This system develops both technical proficiency and performance quality through a detailed syllabus.
Our ADAPT-certified instruction delivers:
- Detailed tap and jazz curriculum with clear progression
- Focus on both technical precision and performance quality
- Consistent terminology and approach
- Recognition of achievement through standardized examinations
- Balance of technical development with artistic expression
The ADAPT approach helps create well-rounded dancers who can execute technical elements while expressing themselves artistically.
The Examination Experience: More Than Just a Certificate
At Epic Dance Complex, we offer examination opportunities through RAD and CDTA systems. While not mandatory for all students, these examinations provide valuable benefits beyond the certificate itself:
- External validation by qualified examiners provides objective feedback
- Goal-setting and achievement motivate students to work toward clear objectives
- Performance experience builds confidence and poise under pressure
- Structured feedback guides future development
- Formal recognition can be valuable for future dance opportunities
The examination process teaches life skills that extend far beyond the dance studio—preparation, perseverance, grace under pressure, and the satisfaction of achievement through dedicated effort.
Why Certifications Matter for Your Dancer
When you choose Epic Dance Complex, you’re not just selecting a studio with creative classes—you’re investing in professional dance education backed by internationally and nationally recognized standards. Our certifications ensure that your child receives:
- Instruction based on proven methods developed by dance education experts
- Age-appropriate progression that respects physical development
- Safe teaching practices that prevent injury
- Consistent terminology and approach across all classes
- Recognition of achievement through standardized examinations
Our commitment to these certification systems demonstrates our dedication to providing the highest quality dance education for every student who walks through our doors.
Experience the Difference
We invite you to experience the difference that professionally certified instruction makes. Contact Epic Dance Complex today to schedule a trial class and see firsthand how our commitment to excellence shapes every aspect of our teaching.
Epic Dance Complex follows RAD, CDTA, ADTA, and ADAPT certification systems under the direction of Desirae Graham (ARAD, RAD RTS, CDTA Licentiate, ADTA Jr/Int, ADAPT Tap/Jazz). Visit www.epicdancecomplex.com or call (306) 518-7980 to learn more about our programs.
