Develop your understanding of IDTA examinations and learn how to teach the syllabus beyond the choreography.

This multi-genre IDTA teaching and examination CPD day includes focused guidance for Ballet and Tap teachers. Explore technique, musicality, performance, syllabus development, examination expectations, pathways, paperwork and preparation.

Live via Zoom. Every confirmed booking includes live online access and access to the event recording.

Beyond the Choreography

A Multi-Genre IDTA Teaching & Examination CPD Day with Vicki Durning

An informative and practical CPD day designed to help teachers deepen their understanding of the IDTA syllabus, examination process and the qualities examiners look for in successful candidates.

Led by highly respected IDTA Examiner and Fellow Vicki Durning, this is a valuable opportunity to benefit from her extensive examining, teaching and syllabus knowledge.

The day goes beyond simply teaching syllabus choreography. It will explore how teachers can develop musicality, technique, performance quality and confident execution—helping students understand the purpose behind each exercise and achieve their individual best.

Participants will benefit from an examiner’s perspective, with valuable guidance on:

• What examiners look for during an examination
• Teaching syllabus exercises with purpose and clarity
• Developing technique, musicality and performance
• Helping students gain the greatest benefit from their syllabus work
• Preparing candidates confidently and effectively
• Common areas that teachers and candidates can improve
• Understanding the different IDTA examination pathways
• How graded and other examination options work
• Examination entries, paperwork, forms and codes
• The administrative requirements before and during an examination session

The day will combine practical teaching knowledge with a clear overview of the examination process, giving teachers useful ideas they can take directly back into their classes.

Whether you are an experienced teacher, newly qualified or currently developing your knowledge of IDTA examinations, this day will provide practical guidance, greater confidence and a deeper understanding of how to teach the syllabus beyond the choreography.

Meet Your Examiner – Vicki Durning

Vicki Durning is a highly respected IDTA Examiner and Fellow with extensive experience in dance education, teacher development and examination standards.

Having served on the IDTA Tap Faculty, Vicki brings an exceptional depth of syllabus knowledge and a wealth of experience from across the organisation. She is a highly regarded figure within the world of IDTA examining and understands what allows teachers and candidates to achieve their best.

Throughout the day, Vicki will share practical guidance, professional insight and the kind of invaluable knowledge that comes from years of teaching and examining. Her supportive approach will help attendees develop greater confidence in their teaching, candidate preparation and understanding of the examination process.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn directly from one of IDTA’s most experienced professionals and gain guidance that can be applied within your own school and classes.

Ballet, Tap and Wider Syllabus Guidance

This is a multi-genre CPD day designed to support teachers across the IDTA syllabus, with focused guidance relevant to both Ballet and Tap.

The day will explore how examiners assess technique, musicality, performance, quality of movement and understanding of syllabus work across different genres.

Ballet teachers will have the opportunity to explore syllabus-specific questions, examination expectations and practical ways to develop technique, artistry and musicality beyond the set choreography.

Tap teachers will also benefit from detailed guidance on technique, rhythm, musicality, performance and examination preparation.

Attendees are encouraged to bring questions relating to their own syllabus work and teaching practice. Vicki will offer practical guidance that teachers can take back and apply directly within their classes.

Whatever your main teaching genre, the day will provide a clearer understanding of examination standards and how to help every candidate perform with confidence, knowledge and purpose.

Event Details

📅 Date
Sunday 13 September 2026

⏰ Time
10:00am–3:00pm

There will be a lunch break from 12:15pm–1:00pm.

💻 Live Interactive Online Training via Zoom

Beyond the Choreography will now be delivered entirely online via Zoom, making the session accessible to teachers wherever you are.

We’re developing the day as an interactive, discussion-led teacher training session, exploring not simply the syllabus choreography, but the knowledge and understanding behind it.

Throughout the day, we’ll explore Ballet and Tap across different levels, looking at areas including:

• Prep and Primary
• Progression through the grades
• Senior work
• Technical expectations
• Syllabus understanding
• Teaching approaches and ideas
• Common challenges and corrections
• Musicality, performance and artistry
• Developing dancers beyond simply learning the exercises

The session will be facilitated by Joanne Tod alongside Vikki, creating opportunities throughout the day for questions, discussion, shared ideas and practical teaching advice.

Ask Your Questions in Advance

Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions before the event. These can relate to a particular grade, syllabus exercise, technical expectation, teaching challenge or anything else you would like Vikki to explore.

All questions submitted will be incorporated into the session.

If you’re unable to attend live, you can still submit your questions and hear Vikki’s responses when you watch the recording.

Recording Access

The full session will be recorded.

Every confirmed booking includes:

• Access to the live Zoom training
• Access to the full event recording for 30 days after the course

Once your booking and payment have been completed, your Zoom joining link will be sent immediately in your automatic booking confirmation email.

The recording will be sent to all attendees following the event.

Who Can Attend?

• IDTA members
• Non-IDTA teachers
• Level 3 and Level 4 student teachers

Cost

IDTA members: £26
Non-members: £36

Important Information

• The training will take place entirely online via Zoom.
• Your Zoom joining link will be included in your automatic booking confirmation.
• Please keep your joining link for your own use and do not share it with anyone who has not booked.
• You do not need to attend live to benefit from the training — all confirmed attendees will receive 30 days’ access to the recording.
• If you cannot attend live, we still encourage you to submit your questions in advance so they can be addressed during the session.

Booking is now open.

Join us for an interactive day of teacher development designed to take your syllabus knowledge and teaching Beyond the Choreography.