For the past few years the Dancing Illini has operated a "tutor
program". In this program, club members are given the opportunity to
improve their dancing through affordable private lessons taught by
certified tutors in exchange for dance scholarships.
The number of certified tutors in the DI has dwindled over the past
year to just 2. Below you will find complete details on how we are
working to increase this number. This plan has been developed with
the assistance of our local professional dance instructor, David Lin.
At the end of this message is a current copy of the tutor program
description and rules from the DI By-Laws.
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Tutor Certification Test in Int'l Style Modern Dancing
Location: the Regent Ballroom
Examiner: David Lin
Date: Sunday, June 2, 3-5pm
Cost: $10 per person
Applicants must pass to become a certified tutor for the DI.
Then, as stated in our By-laws:
The Dancing Illini will reimburse successful applicants for the cost
of the test which they pass. Applicants who do not pass the
examination must pay for it....
and also:
The examiner's judgement will be final.
To register for these tests, applicants must have:
a) taken Intermediate II classes or higher in these dances, or
b) have David Lin's consent.
Tests will cover your knowledge of the figures listed below:
Waltz: Closed change; Natural turn; Reverse turn;
Natural spin turn; Whisk; Chasse' from PP.
Foxtrot: Feather step; Three step; Natural turn;
Reverse turn; Basic Weave.
Quickstep: Quarter turns to R; Progressive chasse;
Forward lock; Natural spin turn;
Tango: Walk; Progressive side step; Closed promenade; Progressive link;
Open reverse turn, partner outside with open or closed finish.
Applicants must be able to:
a) dance both parts to music, on time, and
b) answer some technical questions about the figures/dances.
David recommends that applicants also study the following book which
can be bought anywhere, including from the Regent:
- ISTD
The Ballroom Technique
W, FT, Tango, QS figures broken down step by step in tabular form.
This is the official book for ISTD examinations. (Intl. Style)
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BY-LAWS OF THE DANCING ILLINI
Article V - Tutor Program
Section 1 - Purpose
The purpose of the tutor program is to provide beginning dancers with
the opportunity to improve their dancing through affordable private
tutoring.
Section 2 - Eligibility
Only current club members are eligible to become tutors or to
participate in tutoring sessions.
Section 3 - Tutor Examination
Prospective tutors ("applicants") are required to pass an examination
administered by a dance professional. The material on which applicants
may be examined will be established by the examiner in consultation
with the club officers, chairpersons and advisor(s) and will be announced
publicly at least one month before the scheduled date of the
examination. The examiner's judgement will be final. An applicant who
fails the test may take it again at a later date.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that at least one sufficiently
proficient club member is available to dance both parts (leader and
follower) at the examination to act as a partner for the applicants.
Section 4 - Examination Fees
The Dancing Illini will reimburse successful applicants for the cost
of the test which they pass. Applicants who do not pass the
examination must pay for it.
Section 5 - Tutoring Fees
The expected per hour donation from tutorees shall be set by the club
officers.
Section 6 - Tutoring Sessions
Tutors are expected to arrange their own tutoring schedules in
consultation with their tutorees, to find their own tutoring space,
and to ensure that the treasurer receives their tutoring donations.
The tutoring sessions are independent, private contractual agreements
between the tutor and the tutorees. The Dancing Illini is not liable
for anything that happens in tutor sessions (neither accidents nor
offensive behavior, nor do they guarantee satisfaction). Tutorees must
pay with a check payable to the Dancing Illini, and must include on
the check the name of the tutor and the date and length of the
session. The treasurer will keep a record of each tutor's activities
and of donations received.
Section 7 - Tutor Scholarships
A tutor may use the accumulated donations from his or her tutoring
activities to pay for dance activity fees, including classes,
seminars, workshops, private lessons, competition fees, and other
expenses approved by the officers. Reimbursement for these activities
will be provided by the treasurer upon presentation of a valid receipt
for fees for these activities, or the donations may be used directly
for club activities. The treasurer will ensure that all such
reimbursements are drawn on existing donation funds from the tutor.
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