PIDTA

PIDTA


	Performance Irish Dance Teachers Association

The Performance Irish Dance Teachers Association (PIDTA) is an organization for performance-only, non-competitive Irish dance teachers who wish to interact with other non-competitive Irish dance teachers for the purpose of sharing and support. It is the intent of PIDTA not to exclude anyone from participating in the celebration of Irish dance.

Mission Statement:

The Performance Irish Dance Teachers Association creates an atmosphere of encouragement and support to all Irish dance teachers and students. This organization endeavors particularly to offer recognition to Irish dance teachers who, after qualifying with PIDTA, are certified as being knowledgeable in all aspects of Irish dance.

Once a year PIDTA holds their annual Cumaisc (Gaelic for “come together” or “convergence”), a gathering of member dance schools for the purpose of sharing ideas and experience. This event offers much in the way of support and interaction. It also gives students a chance to meet other dancers, enjoy each other's costumes, and make many friends. A rating system is set up for each dancer and each school to grade them on their level of improvement. This is NOT a competition but an individual grade, and is meant only to help each dancer know how they are doing and how they can improve. Everyone attending is eligible to vote on such things as Most Improved School, Most Innovative School, Best New Move, Best Newcomer School, etc. Workshops are set up for a variety of topics like performance tips, health issues, and teaching methods. The Cumaisc also draws a selection of vendors. Ribbons and/or medals are awarded to all dancers participating in the Cumaisc to acknowledge their hard work and dedication to Irish dance. Those who attend the Cumaisc come to learn as well as perform.

Testing is done remotely and covers general knowledge of Irish dance, teaching skills, and performance issues. The dancing, ceili, and music portion must be videotaped, and the written portion must be filled out and returned by a predetermined date. The person interested in taking the exam contacts PIDTA. At that time they are sent a syllabus and an application form. When they are ready to sit the exam, they inform PIDTA by sending back the application form, a photocopy of a picture ID, the appropriate application fee, and the date they wish to take the exam. PIDTA then sends the exam package on the requested date by priority mail. Inside the exam package there will be instructions about sending back the completed exam. The applicant will have approximately 24 hours to complete the exam and have it postmarked to go back to PIDTA. The return package must contain a video tape of the required dance material, the music tape sent by PIDTA, the applicant's answer sheets, and the original exam question sheets.

For information, please contact PIDTA director Gwyddon Kelly at 902 Vine, Collinsville IL 62234 or email irshdanc@apci.net.

Want to see pictures from previous Cumaisc events?