IDTA Freestyle Associate

Become a qualified dance teacher

Train live online with Loraine and Lara and prepare for a recognised IDTA teaching qualification designed to help you begin teaching professionally.

Apply for your place

No payment is required before your suitability call.

The qualification

What the Associate qualifies you to do

  • Teach Freestyle dance professionally
  • Open your own dance school
  • Teach at other IDTA schools
  • Enter your students for IDTA examinations
  • Become eligible for IDTA membership

Who it’s for

  • Aged 18 or over
  • Trained to IDTA (or equivalent) intermediate standard, or at least two years’ experience as a professional dancer
  • Ideal for dance assistants moving into teaching, working dancers and former professional performers
  • Not suitable if you don’t already have a dance background

How the course runs

Live online training, backed by practical studio days

  • Weekly live online sessions

    One two-hour live session each week, covering the Associate syllabus through guided discussion, interactive teaching and weekly Q&A.

  • Practical days in London

    An induction day and practical studio days in London. Your final IDTA examination is arranged by the IDTA, with the location in the South East to be confirmed.

  • Video submissions and feedback

    Submit regular videos of your practical work and receive detailed individual feedback to keep you progressing.

  • Exam preparation

    A full individual mock exam with an IDTA examiner, personalised feedback on theory and practical work, and clear guidance before the real thing.

What you’ll study

Every part of the syllabus, covered in detail

We cover every section of the syllabus in detail, with live in-person sessions for all practical work. Each course starts at Section 1 and follows the syllabus in order.

  1. 01

    Syllabus knowledge

    • Compulsory questions, definitions and the history of Freestyle dance
    • Simple anatomy, posture and correcting postural faults
    • Regular theory tests on the work covered so far
    • A full recap of the course ahead of your exam
  2. 02

    Technique and routines

    • Building your warm-up in stages, with cooldowns, breathing exercises, isolations and combination exercises
    • Head, arm, hand and body movements
    • Choreographing and refining your intermediate routine, and your creative routine
    • Live practical sessions covering all syllabus steps and movements
  3. 03

    Teaching and exam preparation

    • Teaching ability, safety and social media
    • Completing your portfolio: scripted routines, safety risk assessments and teaching ideas
    • Video submissions with individual feedback, showing all routines confidently and with counts
    • Your mock exam with an IDTA examiner

Next course starts 10 November 2026

Key dates

Practical days take place in London. The final examination location, in the South East, is to be confirmed. Exact dates are agreed with you before the course begins.

  1. Tuesday 10 November 2026

    Course starts

    Your first live online session. Applications are open now, with limited places available.

  2. Early in your courseTo be confirmed

    Practical studio day 1

    Induction in London: meet your tutors and train on all syllabus work

  3. Mid-courseTo be confirmed

    Practical studio day 2

    Full day in London practising all routines with clear counts and communication

  4. Towards the end of your courseTo be confirmed

    Mock examination

    A full mock exam with an IDTA examiner, with personalised feedback

  5. Shortly after your mockTo be confirmed

    IDTA Associate examination

    Your final examination, in person. Location in the South East to be confirmed.

Pricing

Course fees and payment

Tuition fee

£1,495

Payment plan

A 15% deposit secures your place. Finance plans are available to help you spread the cost of your tuition.

No payment is required before your suitability call.

Included in your tuition

  • Weekly live online training with Loraine and Lara
  • 3–4 practical days in London, including your induction day
  • Video submissions with individual feedback
  • One-to-one tutor support
  • Course materials
  • A full mock exam with an IDTA examiner
Apply for your place

IDTA fees

IDTA examination fees aren’t included in your tuition and are paid separately.

IDTA Associate examination fee
£187

IDTA membership and registration fees are also separate. Studio hire for your mock and examination is paid by the student and is not included in the course fee.

Meet your tutors

Learn from two highly experienced dance educators

DTTA is the only dance teacher training academy where the Chair of the IDTA Freestyle Faculty personally prepares you for your IDTA qualification.

Loraine Hastings

Loraine Hastings

Chair of the IDTA Freestyle Faculty, Senior Examiner and International Dance Educator

With more than 40 years in the dance industry, Loraine is an internationally respected teacher, choreographer, adjudicator, IDTA Senior Examiner and Fellow of the IDTA.

  • Chair of the IDTA Freestyle Faculty
  • International lecturer and adjudicator
  • Co-writer of the IDTA Street Dance syllabus
Read Loraine’s full profile
Lara King

Lara King

Dance Principal, Teacher Trainer and Experienced Dance Educator

With more than 35 years in dance education and school leadership, Lara has taught dancers of all ages and is dedicated to helping aspiring teachers lead safe, confident and inspiring classes.

  • 35+ years in dance education
  • Former Principal of a successful dance company
  • Extensive experience across multiple dance styles
Read Lara’s full profile

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Who are the courses for?

Adults aged 18 and over who want to become qualified dance teachers or develop their existing teaching careers. No previous teaching qualification is required, all genders are welcome and there is no upper age limit.

What’s the difference between the DTTA and the IDTA?

The IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) is the established professional association that sets the syllabus, examines candidates and awards your qualification. DTTA (Dance Teacher Training Academy) is the training academy, founded by Loraine Hastings and Lara King, that teaches you and prepares you for your IDTA examination. You train with DTTA, and your qualification is awarded by the IDTA.

What dance experience do I need before applying?

You should have received some formal dance training and consider yourself at an intermediate level or above. We assess each applicant individually during your suitability call.

Do I need previous teaching experience?

No. Previous teaching experience is not essential. Your dance background, commitment and suitability for the course are more important.

Is the training fully online?

No. Most training is delivered live online, supported by 3–4 face-to-face practical training days in London, including your induction day.

Where do the practical training days take place?

The 3–4 face-to-face training days take place in London. Full venue details will be provided before the course begins.

What happens if I miss a live session?

If you miss a live lesson, you can catch up with a restricted-access Zoom recording. Live attendance is still expected, as discussion, feedback and practical correction are an important part of the training.

How much independent study is required?

You will complete guided study, coursework and practical preparation between sessions. The amount varies by qualification and your existing experience.

Where will the final examination take place?

Your final IDTA examination is arranged by the IDTA. The location, in the South East, is still to be confirmed.

What happens after I pass?

You’ll hold a recognised IDTA teaching qualification, may apply for IDTA membership, and can become eligible for insurance to teach or open your own dance school. Loraine and Lara can guide you through the next steps.

Can I enter students for IDTA examinations?

Once appropriately qualified and registered with the IDTA, you can enter students for recognised IDTA examinations.

Is a deposit required to secure my place on a course?

Yes. A 15% deposit is required only after your suitability call and invitation to enrol. Nothing is payable before the call. Finance plans are available to help you spread the cost of your tuition, so just ask us.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International students can apply, but they must attend the live online training and travel to London for the required practical days, and to the South East for the final examination.

Your dance teaching career starts here.

Applications are now open. Complete the short application form and you’ll hear from Loraine or Lara within 24 hours to arrange your suitability call.

Apply for your place
  • Limited places

    Small class sizes for personal support

  • Speak with a tutor

    A short call to make sure it’s the right fit for you

  • Secure your place

    Reserve your spot with a 15% deposit