Who We Are

The United Dance Merchants of America is an organization of companies that sell dance products and services, and promotes and protects the interests of its members through marketing, communication, and encourages the growth and development of dance.

 

Dedicated to Dance Award Recipient The Royal Academy of Dance  •  Photo by Jonny Carr

The Dedicated to Dance Award

Beginning in 2010, The United Dance Merchants of America, as part of their mission “to encourage the growth and development of dance”, created a new “Dedicated to Dance” award. This new, annual honor is being awarded to organizations and/or people that have shown untiring, remarkable dedication to our industry and that have fulfilled the needs of dance studios and dance teachers through extraordinary means. There will be awards given in each of the regions where the UDMA stops on their national tour of Dance Resource and Costume trade shows each year.

We are pleased to announce the 2012 recipient:

The Royal Academy of Dance
Founded over 80 years ago, the Royal Academy of Dance is the largest, most influential dance teacher training and examining body for classical ballet in the world. The Royal Academy of Dance exists to promote the knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally.

A teaching method that is taught in over 70 countries in the world, the RAD sets high standards of dance training for over 250,000 students each year. The international network of examiners travel the world examining pupils in the Syllabus at every level. Additionally the Royal Academy of Dance provides enrichment programs for dance students worldwide such as international summer schools and the Genee Competition which is held in a different country each year.

The Royal Academy of Dance offers three syllabi in Classical Ballet. There are two examination syllabi, known as Grades Examinations in Dance and Vocational Grades Examinations in Dance. There is also a non-assessed syllabus known as Presentation Classes. All are designed to recognize the progress and achievement of children and young people.

Students may begin with the Grades Syllabus, and after Grade 5 can either continue to Grade 8 and/or opt to follow the Vocational Grades Syllabus. The Vocational levels are designed for students wishing to study Classical Ballet seriously, possibly with the goal of pursuing a career in dance or dance related subjects.

Why take exams with the Royal Academy of Dance?

To attain your personal best and have fun

To have a goal to work towards

To receive recognition from the world's largest examining body

Students can only be entered for an RAD exam or Presentation Class by a qualified teacher who holds The Royal Academy of Dance offers a number of full-time and part-time programs by a combination of modes including distance learning as well as study at the RAD headquarters in London. We also provide comprehensive dance teacher training, including dance teaching certification, and degree programs for ballet teachers. In the United States, the Royal Academy of Dance provides the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, which is delivered primarily by distance learning. It is designed to meet the needs of those who wish to become Registered Teachers of the Royal Academy of Dance.

 Royal Academy of Dance will be our Honoree in all 4 cities we attend this year.

The award ceremony will be at 6:30 PM on the Saturday night of each event. The tour dates and other show information can be found by clicking on the Dance & Resource Costume Show section of our website. For more information contact Susan Epstein, Show Director, at susan@wppny.com.

 

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UDMA President Sue Gordon with Honorees from Florida Dance Masters

Past Honorees:

2011 - In Long Beach, California:

Dance Masters of Southern California - Chapter 1 of The Dance Masters of America, DM of SC is a professional, certified membership organization of artists and educators committed to the elevation of the art of dance and to provide innovative artistic experiences for the advancement of dance worldwide. http://www.dma-national.org/pages/about/chapters/1
 

2011 - In Long Beach, California:

California Association of Dance/Drill Teams - CADTD is a non-profit organization that involves the development and support of the Dance/Drill Team community in California. Active membership is drawn primarily from educational institutions: elementary schools, junior high/middle schools, and senior high schools. Additional membership includes independent teams, adjudicators, choreographers, and business' affiliated with the dance community. http://cadtd.com/

2011 - In Atlanta, Georgia: 

Florida Dance Masters - An organization dedicated to promoting excellent dance education for instructors as well as aspiring students. FDM meets three times each season, July through June, to offer opportunities for teacher training, convention classes, title and group competitions, student performances, and student scholarships. http://www.fldancemasters.org/

 

2011 - In Meadowlands, New Jersey:

Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston - along with the American Society is the oldest dance teacher organization in the country. The objectives of the Club are to elevate and advance the art of dance in all its educational aspects and to encourage uniform methods of instruction. http://www.danceteachersclubofboston.com/

 

2011 - In Chicago, Illinois: 

Canadian Dance Teachers Association – What started as a small gathering in 1949, the CDTA has grown into a Canadian National Dance organizations dedicated to encourage and maintain a high standard of teaching excellence. http://www.cdtaont.com/

2010 - The Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey

Awarded October 9th, 2010 at 6:30PM. Meadowlands Convention Center

Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey is a non-profit educational organization established in 1936.  It is dedicated to providing teachers and their students with the highest caliber dance workshops in a professional, yet nurturing environment. The organization offers scholarships, networking opportunities and dance certification for its members. ADT OF NJ aims to elevate the quality of dance education and performing while continuing to uphold the highest principles of teaching and respect for the art of dance.

2010 - The California Dance Education Association

Awarded September 18th, 2010 at 6:30PM. Long Beach Convention Center

CDEA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to the artistic and educational advancement of dance as a discrete art form. The organization is the representative body for linking interests of dance educators, dance artists, dance-related professionals and students, and serves as a liaison and representative to local, regional, state, and national arts organizations.

2010 - The Chicago National Association of Dance Masters

Awarded October 16th, 2010 at 6:30PM. Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center

The Chicago National Association of Dance Masters is a non-profit educational association whose purpose is to serve the needs of dance educators.  Since 1912, CNADM has provided continuing education workshop classes for dance teachers and their students. Members may participate in the CNADM certification program, recognizing the attendance of teachers at CNADM dance workshops and their commitment to the pursuit of continual growth. CNADM members will be celebrating the association’s 100th anniversary in 2012. 

2010 - The Southern Association of Dance Masters

Awarded September 25th, 2010 at 6:30PM. Gwinnett Center

Celebrating their 50th year, the mission of the Southern Association of Dance Masters is to raise the awareness and appreciation of dance to parents and students. From its formation in 1960 with 52 charter members representing a three-state area, SADM has grown into one of the largest and finest independent associations, with nearly 200 members representing fifteen states.

2010 - The Texas Association Teachers of Dancing

Awarded October 2nd, 2010 at 6:30PM. Humble Civic Center

Recognized as one of the nation’s leading teacher organizations, The Texas Association Teachers of Dancing was organized in 1930. A continued growth has been experienced through the years due to the efforts of many dedicated members. The aim is to keep the art of dancing and the dance teaching profession on the highest level by upholding its ideals and principles and passing these principles on to the next generation of teachers.