ENROLLEE REVIEWS are from evaluations obtained when courses are completed. Evaluations are blind and unsigned. Attendees of CDA Teacher's Courses come from the United States and other countries where English may be a second language.
First Class 2022
The Level Two material of the 6 year program acts as a capstone or finishing touch to the Elementary program of Classical Dance. The current version of both Levels One and Two reflect the careful editing and musical clarification by Pedagogues Janet Springer and Lynda Gooding Nelson. Their combined efforts make the work of Vera Kostrovitskaya, Alexei Pisarev, and John Barker come alive and practically dance off the page. The amount of detail about each dance element and the various forms as they develop through out the overall syllabus is simply amazing and a tour-de-force. Even my Russian references do not go into such magnificent detail nor provide such wonderful guidance about exactly when and how to introduce a new element. The teaching order hints were greatly appreciated. I strongly recommend these CDA Teacher Training seminars to teachers of all backgrounds, genres, and styles.
First Class 2022
The course is laid out very well and pays great attention to detail. It gives a lot of interesting learning principles and explains reasoning for everything given. All questions are answered thoroughly, and I feel like it was a very valuable experience.
First Class 2022
The material is the closest I have seen to what was being taught at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi Ballet Academy) when I was a ballet student at there.
First Class 2022
I found that was effective in the class when there were examples of the exercise in images/videos, as well as the quizzes that were made on some point of the course, I felt more engaged and able to processes the information correctly.
First Class 2022
I just resumed teaching after having stopped for a few years... this course has helped me immensely in planning and getting students on the right path.
Second Class 2022
The CDA Level Two course continues the fine work of the Level One course in terms of the dance elements, the progressive development of the forms both physically and musically, and the suggested teaching order of the forms in a complete and logical way. It becomes readily apparent how artistry is being developed as one progresses through the syllabus material in a quiet, calm, and thoughtful manner. There is none of the chaotic mish-mash and jarring results that one might experience with the introduction of intermediate or advanced elements in poorly constructed classes, or in an attempt to prepare students too early for various competitions. I would give this CDA Level 2 Teachers Training Course my highest recommendation.
Second Class 2022
No Comments
Second Class 2022
The second course picks up quite a bit giving great details about more complicated movements and some steps that are often forgotten.
Third Class 2022
The third course gave great detail into many transition steps that are often overlooked. It broadens your vocabulary for class exercises
First Class 2021
The amount of information was truly daunting and overwhelming. While the days were long, the excellent presentation of the material deepened my understanding of classical dance. It was especially helpful to watch the videos with pedagogical commentary by Janet Springer.
First Class 2021
This class will answer all your questions, clarify all vocabulary and preparatory steps needed for first level students, and boost your confidence as a teacher.
First Class 2021
This is an excellent course for anyone interested in training young dancers!
First Class 2021
We need more teachers who can pass on this wealth of information!
First Class 2021
This class will give you more than enough information to better your own dancing. It can help a student get as far as s/he possibly can when studying the art of classical ballet. This course is great if you are studying dance for yourself, running a school, or working as a teacher for someone else.
First Class 2021
Anyone wishing to teach classical dance, in a well organized manner, should take this course. It is well designed and delivered by Janet Springer. It is well worth your time and money.
First Class 2021
A house needs a firm foundation, no matter how simple or elaborate it may end up being. Make sure your ballet pedagogy is firmly established by taking this course; it will benefit all your other teaching, whether you teach at a competition studio or a ballet company companion school.
Second Class 2021
This CDA Second Level Teacher Training course is a necessary follow-up to the First Level Course. The dance elements and forms are further developed with the appropriate musical values and counts. The logic of the methodology begins to really take shape and make sense even to the casual observer. Understandably it almost appears too easy or too simple when in fact the work begins to take on an internal logic of its own. Again, I would heartily recommend this course to all ballet lovers and teachers.
Second Class 2021
Wonderful and useful course to increase your knowledge of Classical Dance. The suggestions for lessons and music give a teacher an excellent base to construct lessons.
Third Class 2021
Mrs. Springer is one of the only dance professionals I have encountered who is devoted to preserving the details, nuances and technique of classical dance. A truly enriching experience for anyone who wants to understand pedagogy.
Second Class 2021
No Comments
Third Class 2021
Third Class is a wonderful continuation of the material contained in the previous 1st and 2nd Classes. This, as in all courses, provides exacting and useful knowledge for teachers worldwide.
Third Class 2021
No Comments
Third Class 2021
The CDA Third Level Teachers' Training Course is a natural extension of the first two levels. Now the Intermediate Material is finely documented and presented by Janet Springer. The binder material includes lots of reference materials and selected DVD's which enhance the syllabus work. The material and work are generally very close to what is being presented at the St. Petersburg school. Bravo to Janet Springer for her unwavering dedication and for achieving the impossible!
Fourth Class 2021
Any serious classical ballet teacher should consider taking CDA's courses under the direction of Ms. Janet Springer. The amount of material and the way it is presented - the teaching, written materials provided, cannot be found anywhere today except at CDA.
Fourth Class 2021
No Comments
Fourth Class 2021
The CDA Level 4 course which completes the Intermediate Level work is yet another delightful surprise from Ms. Janet Springer, who simply is an expert pedagogue of classical dance(ballet). There is a certain authentic and genuine connection of the material presented with that of the St. Petersburg school of classical dance. The progressive development of the dance elements and forms rings true to my own experiences in St. Petersburg. One only hopes that Janet Springer and CDA will be able to present the upper level or advanced work of the syllabus material in the near future. This is certainly an event to look forward to in the next year. Again, the binder of detailed and documented syllabus work with musical counts and structure along with the DVD's and hard-to-find reference materials make this course an absolute necessity for the current ballet teacher as well as for certain ballet lovers with a lot of dedication, inquisitiveness, and stamina. In short, these four CDA levels should be "de rigueur"for any serious teacher of classical dance.
Second Class 2020
I was a student at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi Ballet Academy) in Russia before I took the teacher's courses with Ms. Springer. What she taught in the teacher's courses was the closest I've seen to what they teach in Russia.
Second Class 2020
Janet Springer and The Classical Dance Alliance have completely changed me understanding of Classical Dance and Pedagogy. Thanks to the courses, I am able to accommodate all of my students regardless of their experience or level, helping them to all reach their fullest potential.
Second Class 2020
Wonderful details to add to anyone's previous knowledge of this material.
First Class 2019
What was most interesting was the methodology for me. Less than the forms but seeing how we get from one step to another. For example, teaching releve lent before developpe. The material exceeded my expectations in regards to the amount. Extremely comprehensive and thorough. A great way to learn how to teach effectively and produce successful results.
First Class 2019
The methodology and the amount of material delivered was even more than expected! It included the manual, additional books, DVD, and music. 5 Star, Excellent.
First Class 2019
What I found most interesting and useful was the progression of the technique, how it developed into other forms and how it happens. Too many hours daily in the course. 4 Star, Good
First Class 2019
The different movements in coordination with the arms and the legs and the hands were the most interesting and useful. 5 Star, Excellent
Fourth Class 2019
It was very important and useful, the way that each exercise was described. The order of teaching and forms, in all of the classes, were excellent tools to organize lessons through the year. Every movement was described, with such detail, that it helps me to visualize it, in terms of constructing a phrase or an exercise, for example. This is the real thing!
Fourth Class 2019
A very detailed explanation of contents and the practice of exercises to develop and understand the movements better. Details are given about musicality, how the steps developed and the pattern of those exercises. The importance given to the movements of the arms and head and inertia/dynamics of each step. The examples of how to join different steps together was so useful to help build our own lessons. This is the real thing! 5 Stars, Excellent.
First, Second, Third Class 2018
In the First Class, the points of the room and the poses are the basis of classical dance. I liked everything about the Second Class Course. Everything comes together by the Third Class. The courses were well organized. 5 Stars, Excellent.
First, Second, Third Class 2018
The way lessons were developed, gradually over this First year, has been a great advantage to my work as a classical dance teacher. It helped me to understand how to plan my lessons with knowledge and confidence in what I teach and why I do it. In all three classes, it was very helpful to know how the counts were exposed, especially in the Third Year with all the coordinations required in the poses and turns. 5 Stars, Excellent.
First, Second, Third Class 2018
First Class is the complete basis. A thorough explanation of the first three days and primary forms of all movements! Second Class: Use of previous years work to be able to successfully interpret new forms and even comprehend lessons in the 101 Classical Dance Lessons. Third Class: I was still amazed at the simple progression of the work, which leads to complex forms. The logic in the progression is not only scientific but genius. 5 Stars, Excellent.
First, Second, Third Class 2018
Understanding the fundamentals of the classical dance from a pedagogical point of view for introducing beginners the steps. How classical dance was developed for the stage/performance purpose from many years of research. How each progress gets more and more advanced following simple movements. The courses offered far more than expected. I did not realized that there was much more than what was trained or taught and learning that several steps could be used in many more different ways than the average 2 or 3 that is being taught at schools. This is an eye opener. This is not a fusion of styles, this is classical dance that needs to be learned and kept alive so that we can pass it on to future generations. These courses have produced some of the greatest dancers of our time and it’s time to bring in new and great dancers. 5 Stars, Excellent.
First, Second, Third Class 2018
I think the most useful tool is how the lessons were structured. It helps me to understand where the exercises will end up. It was very clear to understand the relationship between the music and the dynamic of the dance exercise. I feel that all of this was very important to my development as a teacher. 5 Stars, Excellent.