12 December 2024
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing has come a long way since its origins at the Hotel Cecil, London in 1904, but we are just as passionate as ever in sharing dance around the world.
Read more about ISTD's history on our 120 Timeline
During our milestone 120th year, we're proud to have had such a successful 2024, including three events we dedicated to celebrating our history in: Ballroom Latin Sequence Congress, Dance Exchange and Theatre Congress. Below you'll find some excerpts of what we got up to during these events, as well as links to our full stories.
Fundamentally, the experiences of our members are at the heart of our community, and at the start of the year we asked you to share the memories that have shaped your dance journey.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and photos. We've loved hearing about your prestigious ISTD awards, unforgettable events, impactful teaching moments, personal growth through ISTD qualifications, and the incredible teachers who've shaped your path.
Your reflections on how the ISTD family has enriched your professional life have deeply moved us and highlighted the lasting importance of being part of the ISTD community.
Below is just a selection of memories from our members, examiners, and representatives.
"A magic moment for me was receiving the International Award in 1994. This award was quite unexpected, and to this day, the memory is accompanied by wonderful people: Muriel Ashcroft, Sonia Draper, Heather Fish, Elizabeth Harrison, Robert Harold, Paddy Hurlings, Joyce Percy, and June Rycroft. I am so grateful for all these gifted people." - Gail Clifford
"This is my most favourite memory from the early '90s as it was when I met Christina Ballard who became my mentor. She was also the lecturer on the first course I attended as a teacher over a decade later. I always remember being so inspired by the teachers and the adjudicators at ISTD events. Getting to work with the creative team as a demonstrator meant I got to meet even more incredibly talented and inspiring teachers and mentors. I’m so grateful for all those opportunities, but mainly meeting all the people who shaped where my career has taken me today." - Jessica Morgan-Beale, ISTD Regional Representative
Ballroom Latin Sequence Congress
1 September 2024, Chessington
Our 120 Celebration: BLS Congress 2024 was a remarkable event that brought together dance teachers and dancers for a day filled with valuable insights and dynamic demonstrations. Our President, Shirley Ballas, proudly presented the inaugural President’s Cup competition during the event, adding an exciting dimension to the weekend.
Read more about the event, including the winners of the President's Cup competition, on our event report:
Read more about the BLS Congress 2024
"The ISTD and I have a relationship that spans over 50 years. Mary Archbutt was a wonderful, inspirational teacher, and one of the creators of the previous Modern Theatre syllabus. My very special memory is demonstrating the Modern grades at Cecil Sharp House for her. I can still remember the feeling of dancing in that space on my own. Dancing has brought me so many opportunities; theatre, film, adjudicating, teaching, owning my own schools, seeing my students grow and develop. I'm still teaching and arranging shows in my village. What a life! Thanks to Mary Archbutt, the ISTD, and my mum!" - Suki Turner
"This photo was taken at the Championship Finals 14-years and Under Dance Festival at Butlins, Filey (I came fourth). Most of us were students of Mavis Butler and Brenda Horner (Butler Horner School of Dance). The ISTD has served as my global network of mutual care and support for the past 64 years." - Kim Scott, ISTD International Representative
Read about Susan Rollo's 50 year journey with the ISTD
"My mother, Rosemary Norah Lacy Barker (née Day) (18 April 1925 – 30 November 2020), had a lifelong passion for ballet and dance, taking ISTD exams in the 1930s. I’ve found her diaries detailing her life in the 1930s and 1940s, including during the war, and her years on the professional stage. Among her memorabilia are the ISTD Syllabus of Examinations in Stage Dancing (1938) and Ballroom Dancing (1939)." - Louise Mamakou
DFR Dance Exchange
15 September 2024, Chesham
DFR Dance Exchange was a full day of CPD workshops, useful updates and inspirational lectures from specialists across the genres of Disco, Street Dance and Rock n Roll.
Teachers were hugely inspired by the whole day, having gained lots of new tips and ideas, learning vivacious and creative choreography, and most importantly having the opportunity to meet new people throughout the day.
Read more about DFR Dance Exchange on our event report:
Read more about DFR Dance Exchange 2024
"A precious ISTD memory was teaching the Primary Syllabus to a special young dancer who had suffered enormous trauma in her early childhood in Africa. She emerged from her exam with a smile that could have crossed the continents! What an achievement, her grandmother, who was waiting, shed grateful tears of joy." - Jackie Styles
"I was thrilled to receive the UK Dancesport Award 2022. Above are photos from Dance News 1988, taken at the ISTD Disco Festival in Hornchurch, Essex, compèred by ISTD Past President Peggy Spencer MBE. A highlight was the Choreographic Solo event adjudicated by Anthony Van Laast CBE. My school won all three categories and I’m pictured with my winning pupils, Anna Green U/16, Kerry Hobbs O/16 and Nicole Sheen U/12." - Jacqui Norton, Examiner
Theatre Congress
2 Saturday Nov 2024, Reading
ISTD members travelled from across the UK to the beautiful grounds of Queen Anne’s School Reading to take part in our first ISTD Theatre Congress since before the pandemic. As in previous years, Congress was an opportunity to bring together teachers from across the Theatre genres and provide an active day of learning, as well as the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones!
The day was full of workshops that all attendees could participate in, and we were delighted to see everyone taking part (even those who joined in from the comfort of their seats) and really enjoy being a dancer first and foremost. Everyone was engaged and learning!
Read more about the event on our event report:
Read more about Theatre Congress 2024
"Attending the ISTD’s Chichester summer residential schools in the 80s and 90s was a joy. Meeting teachers from around the world, forming lasting friendships, like the one with my colleague from South Africa, was an invaluable experience. Thank you for hosting these courses!" - Lorraine Blake
"I have grown and transformed through ISTD qualifications, and I am deeply grateful to the Society. I love teaching and dancing, especially Imperial Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre, and Tap. Thank you for the resources, events, and training that have been crucial to my career. I am excited to be working on my Imperial Classical Ballet Fellowship. As a proud Mexican ISTD Registered Teacher, I now teach in Aalen, Germany." - Erika Merlos
