Canadian Dance Teachers Association

Hip Hop Studies Crew (virtual)
2025-09-14
A guaranteed hip hop event each month!
Join our Crew for only $200.00 for members and $350.00 for non-members.
Registration Information to Follow

CDTA "All Things Pointe" Webinar for Dancers and Teachers
2025-09-25 10:00 - 11:00 UTC

Advanced CDTA Ballet Syllabus Refresher (in person/virtual)
2025-10-04 09:00 - 16:00 UTC
Early Bird Pricing
$135.00 members
$155.00 non-members
Cost after September 1st $165.00 members / $185.00 non-members

Preventing Teacher Fatigue (in person/virtual)
2025-10-04 18:00 - 19:00 UTC
Held from 6-7PM SK Time –
Non members $20.00, members 0.00
Olivia has been dancing for as long as she could walk and her love of dance has motivated her quest to continue to educate, empower and inspire her students, peers and collaborators across North America.
As a dancer and performer, Olivia has trained in all areas of concert and studio dance. She has received her RAD Advanced II certification, trained at advanced levels in hip-hop, tap, jazz & lyrical jazz, theatre, modern, and contemporary. She has been the recipient of multiple provincial, national and international dance, music and voice awards during her years as a competitive performer. Olivia has also had the pleasure of performing leading roles in Cats (“Munkustrap”) and Seussical (“The Cat in the Hat”). Olivia has had the opportunity to study at some of the top dance training facilities in the industry including in Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver and Paris.
As a choreographer, Olivia has regularly been the recipient of multiple choreography awards over the past two decades. Her choreography was featured at a global conference in Stockholm, Sweden in partnership with the work of Emmy Award Nominee Stacey Tookey. Olivia has recently worked with Big Apple Productions “Cabaret” (2023 – Choreographer) “This Is Me” (2024 – Choreographer, Director, Co-Producer), and “Rocky Horror Show” (2025 – Co-Choreographer & Production Consultant).
As a dance educator, Olivia is entering her 10th year as a studio owner, with teaching experience that spans across two decades with students from ages 18 months to 65+ years. Olivia has received her CDTA, TLDI, IDTS, DEEA and YPAD certifications and commits to annual continuing professional development within the dance industry. Olivia was most recently elected as the Chair of the CDTA Hip Hop Dance Studies division and can be found bridging the gap between the street and the studio with The Dance Leadership Institute as the facilitator of the Deconstructing Dance: Hip Hop Edition courses. Olivia also holds a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and now works globally with performing arts professionals to strategize and optimize ways to find lasting career success in this industry with her company SOPRO Consulting. Her mission is to integrate her passion for dance, with her commitment to the study of mental wellness, motivation and the power of team dynamics, to further serve the dance industry.

Dance Jam 2025
2025-10-05 08:00 - 17:00 UTC

Exam Entry Deadline for exams Nov. 15-Dec. 20
2025-10-15

Deadline for Ambassador Registration
2025-10-16

The New Testing Event
2025-10-16 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Artisan Solution, 123 Maple Street, Vancover, Canada

Dance Teacher Assistant Training Program (virtual)
2025-09-07
”DanceTeacherAssistantTrainingProgram” Endorsed by CDTA DevelopedandPresentedby CDTAmemberIreneWiddup,B.EdRADRTS
AnOnlineCertificationCourseforAspiringStudentAssistants
This 6-hour online program is designed to help dance students become confident, capable, and valuable assistants in the classroom. Over the course of the year, students will attend four online sessions, where they willgainessentialknowledgeandpracticalskillstosupportteachersand younger dancers effectively.
Betweensessions,studentswillcompleteshortindependentassignments connected to the classes they assist in. These assignments encourage reflection, build confidence, and prepare students for meaningful discussions during the next online session.
Theprogramconcludeswithagraduationceremony,andeachparticipant will receive a Certificate of Completion to recognize their achievement.
Help your student assistants step into their roles with purpose and professionalism—andsetthemupforsuccessinandoutofthestudio!
TeacherMentorswillreceiveanemailoutliningwhatstudentshavelearned in each session and what is expected of them in the classroom. This updatewillalsoincludesuggestedwaystosupportandguidetheirstudent assistants, helping ensure a successful and enriching experience for the teacher, assistant and the class.
? CourseContent Overview:

Roles & Responsibilities of a Dance Assistant
Building Relationships & Trust in the Classroom
Ways to Assist Effectively During Class

4.BreakingDownStepsforPeers

Observation & Correction: How to Offer Constructive Feedback
Supporting Your Teacher: Keeping a Class Engaged
Basic Anatomy
Warm-Up and Stretching Techniques
Time Management, Burnout & Self-Care

Modules7,8,and9willbeactivity-basedwithindependentstudycomponents between sessions.
AdditionalMaterials:

Journals and self-reflection assignments
Workbooks (provided to each participant)

ScheduledSessions(AlltimesABTime):

September7,2025–10:00AM(1.5 hrs)
October19,2025–10:00AM(1.5 hrs)
November23,2025–10:00AM(1 hr)
February22,2026–10:00AM(1 hr)
June7,2026–GraduationSession(1 hr)

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Irene Widdup – Owner & Artistic Director, Footworks Dance Academy
With over 35 years of teaching and choreography experience, Miss Irene is a highly respected leader in the dance community. She holds a Teaching Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance and a Bachelor of Education with Honours, and is a proud Member of the International Academy of Dance Adjudicators. She also currently serves as President of the Alberta Dance Educators Association.
Miss Irene’s extensive training includes 48 years of dance, and she is certified in:

Acrobatic Arts
Progressive Ballet Training (PBT)
Spectacle Blue Aerial Arts (Hoop, Trapeze, and Silks)
Al Gilbert Tap Technique
ADAPT Jazz and Tap Syllabi

She teaches a full range of dance styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Her commitment to excellence keeps her attending master classes and dance conventions in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Phoenix, and across Alberta to stay current with industry trends.
Miss Irene is also the author of the Student Teaching Education Program (S.T.E.P.), a comprehensive training curriculum for aspiring dance teachers. She has presented this program internationally and specializes in preschool dance education, classroom lesson development, and teacher training. Her innovative methods have been featured at various teacher conventions throughout Canada, and she has served as a teaching mentor for the RAD’s Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies Program.
With over 30 years of experience as a studio owner, Miss Irene also shares her knowledge of business operations, marketing, and customer service at industry events. Her passion for dance education and mentorship is evident in everything she does.
Miss Irene believes that sharing knowledge is the key to becoming an exceptional teacher and business owner, and she is deeply committed to inspiring and uplifting the next generation of dance educators.

Exam Entry Deadline for exams Jan. 15-Mar.14
2025-12-01

Hip Hop Crew Session #4 Locking Session with Lukas Lock
2025-12-14 10:00 - 23:00 UTC

SOCAN Fees are due for 2026
2025-12-15

Merry Christmas
2025-12-25 00:00 - 12:00 UTC

Happy New Year
2026-01-01 00:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver)

Maximizing Your Social Media Presence
2026-01-05 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Vancouver)
members “Free”, non-members $40.00

CDTA Hip Hop Crew Popping Session
2026-01-11 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver)

Injury Prevention in the Studio (for Teachers)
2026-01-11 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Vancouver)

Understanding Your Body (for Dancer's)
2026-01-11 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver)

Virtual Ballet Class for Dance Teachers
2026-01-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver)

Dancer's Webinar: Fuel Your Fire!
2026-02-22 10:30 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver)
