Celebrating more than 50 years of the creation of a syllabus with a unique examination method in the world of teaching Spanish dance. The creators have been honoured with medals by King Juan Carlos I and King Felipe VI. In England it was given OFQUAL Government Recognition under the auspices of the impressive Trinity awarding body.
The syllabus encompasses all the richness of Spain’s culture. Such variety is found nowhere else in the world other than in the cultural regions of Spain where it is still prevalent after thousands of years of integrating many different customs and folklore, developing unique musical instruments, differing footwear and folk costumes, all influencing the vast variety of dance techniques and styles.
The SDS offers all this, tailored into examinations suited to age and ability. There is a choice of two types of examinations, both comprising Junior graded examinations from Primary to a Senior vocational syllabus, ending in two teachers’ examinations of Instructor de Baile and a final Profesor de Baile.
Examinations can be held in the teacher’s studio, annually or biannually. External examiners' written reports are issued, giving feedback for teachers and candidates, the final Certificates showing the progress made.
The syllabus is available on DVDs. Music for the syllabus is issued in printed form and on CDs. The classical Escuela Bolera has music recorded on the forte piano of the era, stylised Danza Estilizada to classical music, and the exercises and dances are specially transcribed and recorded on piano, plus the flamenco with singer and guitar.
Director Dulcie Howes of the University of Cape Town Ballet School, UCT and Company, immediately recognised the importance of the SDS’s creation. She incorporated the method at once into the UCT's curriculum. Howes generously funded the printing of syllabi books and music etc., and the recording of it on cassettes. It enabled the SDS to start examining immediately with noticeable success.
With this unique method, Spanish dance teachers were able to abandon the old method of teaching only dance after dance by rote. In Spain they expressed their gratitude with the words, “It has changed our lives".
Website: www.spanishdancesociety.net.
