NCDTA_About_us_and

We are an expanding friendly dancing community situated in The North of England.

We offer training by qualified, professional teachers,

for students aged 2½ to Adult in the following subjects

Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Sequence, Modern Sequence, Country & Western,

Freestyle, Cheerleading, Modern Stage, Tap, Ballet, Speech & Drama and Performing Arts.

We also train individuals who wish to become Qualified Dancing Teachers

in the following subjects

Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence, Country and Western,

Freestyle, Modern Stage, Ballet and Tap

Founded in 1925 and called ‘The Northern Professional Dance Circle’.

In 1930 the title was changed to ‘The Northern Counties Dance Teachers’ Association’ and this was to incorporate the four northern counties at that time, namely Northumberland, Durham, Westmoreland and Cumberland.

The Ballroom & Old Time Branches were the first to be established, followed over the years by Latin American, Tap, Ballet, and Musical Comedy. In 1940, Ballroom Medal Tests were introduced and in 1944 the NCDTA held their first Ballroom Medal Test Competition. Having the knowledge now to organise Medal Competitions, we introduced our Tap Medallist Competition in 1947 and in 1954, Old Time Medal Test Competitions followed. The NCDTA were the first to introduce an Under 8 syllabus.

During the 1950s, we introduced Amateur Ballroom and Old Time Championships and our Inventive Dance Competition, but unfortunately, the well known Northumberland & Durham Professional Championships ceased in 1955 due to lack of support.

In 1956, when membership had grown to 203, Associate members over 21 years of age were allowed to vote.

In 1958 our Latin American Branch was fully established which enabled us to incorporate this in our Medal Test System. We held Junior Ballroom & Old Time Championships, held All Girl Competitions and eventually Latin American Championships.

The NCDTA has produced many Champions in all its branches, particularly in the field of Old Time, the British Professional Old Time Championship was won by Jack Rigby & Florence Newbegin who held this title in 1957-58-59. Ken Park & Mavis Whiteside (daughter of Florence Newbegin) won this title in 1962-63, history was made when Mother & Daughter competed in the final of the British Professional Old Time Championship in 1959 and Jim Hall & Denise Mayo won the title in 1973-74. Darren Park & Andrea Kilgour won the title in 1994-95 and Darren with Sharon McCann in 1996. The famous ‘Bartonians’ Formation Team trained by Tony Smith and subsequently Eddie & Moira Whinfield won the British Formation Championship in 1959-71-72-74-83-84-85-86-87-89. Over the years many of our members have won Inventive Dance Competitions and quite a number of these dances are still being danced today both competitively and socially. The Theatre Branches have also produced many Champions, winning Stage Dance Council Scholarships, British Championships and many more.

Over the years, Carl Alan Awards have been received by quite a few members – Florence Newbegin, Jack Rigby, Gilbert Daniels, Ken Park, Mavis Whiteside, Jim Hall, Tony Smith, Renee Anderson, Lilian Aubrey, Darren Park and Hayley Conway to name but a few.

The NCDTA had a big imput into the starting up of ‘Come Dancing’ in which many of our top Amateurs entered this event and were successful, including the ‘Bartonians’.

In 1966 we were holding Tap & Modern Championships for Juniors & Seniors and until a few years ago these four championships were held on one day. However today the entries have increased so much that it is becoming difficult to complete juniors on one day and seniors the next. In 1970 our Stage Festival was introduced. This festival has grown so much that it now runs for three or four days. Further new branches have been introduced, namely Speech & Drama, Country & Western and most recently Performing Arts.

Student Examinations in Ballroom, Latin American, Old Time and Theatre followed in 1978 and during the 80s we saw the introduction of Social Dance Tests and Freestyle Competitions.

The NCDTA hold Theatre Scholarships and Childrens’ Days, Lectures, Meetings, Social Evenings and Dinners.

Our membership has increased over the years and although initially we were set up for the northern counties, our membership has spread far and wide. We are a non-profit making organisation, a corporate member of the British Dance Council, the Theatre Dance Council International and the Central Council for Physical Recreation.

Amateur Medal Tests and Professional examinations are available in all branches. Members receive a regular Newsletter keeping them up to date with meetings, events, syllabus changes and general matters of interest.

To join this Association you can take an Associate or Full Membership examination. In 2007 it was agreed to allow professional members of recognised Dance Organisations to join the NCDTA without examination. Details from the General Secretary.

One of the smaller Associations, we pride ourselves on high standards, friendliness and a willingness to help each other.