Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing

2008 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing.

The Society had its beginnings in 1933 with the formation of the National Examination System and the Victorian Society of Dancing. Established in 1931 and 1933 respectively, the two organizations were founded to establish Examination Standards and to raise the standard of dance in Australia.

The later amalgamation of the two societies into the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing consolidated the work of the two organizations into one democratic society which today occupies a unique position amongst the dance societies of the world, catering for all major forms of dance.

The national operations of the Society are managed by an Executive Committee elected annually by the membership. The real estate assets of the Society are administered by the Board of Trustees.

The Society is an authoritative examining body whose high standards are internationally respected. All grades of examinations for amateur and professional dancers are conducted under separate Syllabi. (see Our Services for complete list) The CSTD is a member body of the Australian Dancing Board.

Full membership is open to holders of the Society's Diploma. Affiliate membership is available to teachers of dancing, professional dancers and student teachers who do not hold the Society's teaching qualification.

Competitions, Festivals, Championships and other member activities are programmed each year to meet the needs of members in each State and Country.

Examination Organisers operate in each State in Australia. Overseas examinations are serviced from Asia Pacific Office with local Organisers in major centers.

The Board of Examiners cover Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz, Theatrical, Tap, Jazz Ballet and Highland. Ballroom Syllabi are examined by a separate Examination Board.

Before being appointed, Examiners must not only hold the appropriate teaching and experience qualifications, but must complete a rigorous two-year training period, then pass an Examiner's Examination in front of three Examiners.

Throughout Australia and overseas each year, the total number of Candidates examined by the Society continues to grow rapidly in all forms of dance.

In our seventy-five years of operation the Society has made a major contribution to dance, and its standing today is a reflection of the dedication and professional standards set over this time.

We believe that when a child learns to dance they must also express something of themselves. We aim to develop the personality in your children and teach them how to present themselves, as well as musical expression. Besides ballet steps they will learn how to tell a familiar story in dance and to express their own culture as well as that of others through dance.

We want your children to understand what they are doing and why and how their body is working to achieve this. From day one they will learn that every step and position has a name and these can be joined together in many different ways. From Grade 2 they will learn how to work out some of these for themselves and perform them on their own.

Whether in class, in the examination room or on the stage, we believe in the importance of encouraging your children to give to the best of their own ability, and assessment is based on their own personal achievement. Every child is an individual and what may be easy for one may be a milestone for another. We recognize this and give praise where it is due and constructive criticism where it is needed.

Children should enjoy learning to dance beyond just moving to the music. While there are many different exercises that must be practiced first, these are varied so that each week the class will be a little different. A child who is stimulated will learn more readily and perform better. We want your child to leave class with a sense of achievement and come back next week ready to achieve more.