North American Irish Dance Federation, LLC (NAIDF)

Teacher Certifications

Member Teacher

A member teacher currently teaches or leads a group of students or individuals. Their students can compete in any competition (solo or group) at the member organization prices. These teachers hold no certifications, nor will they be required to pursue certification, but they will be required to meet all membership requirements.

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Certified Ceilí Teacher (CCT)

The expectation is that this is the teacher's initial or primary focus. Their students can compete in any competition (solo or group) at the member organization prices. They will pursue continuing education on an annual basis and be CPR certified. A CCT demonstrates the ability to interpret and actively use the Ar Rinci Foirne, demonstrates the ability to instruct through competition or submitted video, and demonstrates the ability to stage a performance of traditional ceíli dances.

They must test through an oral/written examination on performance concerns, requirements and contingencies, as well as an oral/written examination on Irish dance requirements as they pertain to posture, placement, execution, technique, timing and presentation. This certification may be acquired separately and be applied toward the higher certifications. A CCT will pursue continuing education on an annual basis and must meet all membership requirements. 

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Certified Irish Dance Performance Teacher (CPT)

The expectation is that this is the teacher's initial or primary focus. Their students can compete in any competition (solo or group) at the member organization prices. They will pursue continuing education on an annual basis and meet all membership requirements.

A CPT demonstrates the ability to instruct through competition or submitted video, demonstrates the ability to choreograph a non-traditional Irish dance performance, and demonstrates the ability to stage a performance of non-traditional Irish dance based choreography. They must test through an oral/written examination on performance concerns, requirements and contingencies, as well as an oral/written examination on Irish dance requirements as they pertain to posture, placement, execution, technique, timing and presentation.

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Master Irish Dance Teacher (MIDT)

A Master Irish Dance Teacher has met the requirements for #1, #2, and #3. As in the CCT and CPT, their students can compete in any competition (solo or group) at the member organization prices. They will pursue continuing education on an annual basis and meet all membership requirements. A candidate for any MIDT level demonstrates the ability to instruct through competition or submitted video, and demonstrates the ability to perform the required dances through submitted video.

This certification is broken into three steps, and each attempt will cost $250.

MIDT Grade 1

Teachers who have met and demonstrated proficiency in all solo dances through intermediate may apply for the certification of MIDT Grade 1. The individual must be able to perform, at the advanced beginner level, 16 bars (two steps) of each of Reel, Light Jig, Single Jig, Slip Jig, Treble Jig (traditional speed), and Hornpipe (traditional speed). In addition, the individual will be able to dance both St. Patrick’s Day and The Blackbird set dances as presented by Olive Hurley (right and left foot of first step and first set only). They will also demonstrate the ability to instruct solo Irish Dance steps, and be able to identify accurately the standard speeds and tempos used in Irish Dance (i.e., Reel, Jig, Hornpipe, and Slip Jig).

MIDT Grade 2

Teachers who have met and demonstrated proficiency in all solo dances through prizewinner may apply for the certification of MIDT Grade 2. The individual must be able to perform, at the prizewinner level, 16 bars (two steps) of each of Reel, Slip Jig, Treble Jig (slow speed), and Hornpipe (slow speed). In addition, the individual will be able to dance Garden of Daisies, Job of Journeywork and Jockey to the Fair set dances as presented by Olive Hurley (right and left foot of first step and first set only), and two non-traditional set dances of their choice in contrasting tempos. They will also demonstrate the ability to instruct solo Irish Dance steps, and be able to identify and instruct drum rolls, rocks, and other candidate selected prizewinner level skills.

MIDT Grade 3

Teachers who have met and demonstrated proficiency in all solo dances through senior champion may apply for the certification of MIDT Grade 3. The individual must be able to perform, at the open championship level, 16 bars (two steps) of each of Reel, Slip Jig, Treble Jig (slow speed), and Hornpipe (slow speed). In addition, the individual will be able to dance White Blanket, Three Sea Captains and King of the Fairies set dances as presented by Olive Hurley (right and left foot of first step and first set only), and two non-traditional set dances of their choice in contrasting tempos. They will also demonstrate the ability to instruct solo Irish Dance steps, and be able to identify and instruct drum rolls, rocks, and other candidate selected open championship level skills.

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Solo Irish Dance Adjudicator (SIDA)

The purpose of Adjudication is to assess the abilities of the individual dancer as they compete and to provide impartial scoring and feedback. At no time will prejudiced scoring, placement or treatment of the dancers by the adjudicator be tolerated. The purpose of the Adjudicator is to enable dancers and their teachers to achieve growth and progression in the art and sport of Irish Dance. Each dancer is entitled to fair and unbiased treatment. Each dancer is entitled to scoring that reflects their performance on the day of competition, and no other element will influence that score. This includes but is not limited to dancer’s school of origin, dancer’s current school of instruction, dancer’s age, dancer’s appearance (if it meets the requirements as set forth in the rules), dancer’s parents (and their role within the hosting school or NAIDF), dancer’s learning disabilities, or dancer’s ethnicity. Should a dancer suffer from a physical handicap, that dancer will be judged within the limits of that physical handicap, and shall not be penalized for that handicap. If, at any time, an Adjudicator is found by the NAIDF board to have judged a competition unfairly, the board will impose penalties upon said Adjudicator.

This certification is broken into three grades, and each attempt will cost $250.

SIDA Grade 1

An individual interested in SIDA Grade 1 licensing must be an MIDT Grade 1 and must have a SIDA Grade 3 Licensed Adjudicator mentor. The candidate must complete the required amount of training deemed necessary by their mentor before successfully advancing into any Licensed Adjudicator status, and must co-judge one school feis (at the beginner and advanced beginner levels) at the minimum. The trainee will not be compensated for this co-judge status, since their scores are not for the purpose of evaluating the dancers, but for the purpose of training and evaluating the candidate.

There will be an oral examination on areas of adjudication: posture, timing, placement, execution, technique, and presentation as well as evaluation of video of selected dancers with adjudication results. Training times can vary, and the adjudication mentor must approve advancement.

Upon successful completion of this effort, the candidate will be licensed to adjudicate any NAIDF Irish Dance solo competition through the Advanced Beginner level.

SIDA Grade 2

An individual interested in SIDA Grade 2 licensing must be an MIDT Grade 2 and must have a SIDA Grade 3 Licensed Adjudicator mentor. The candidate must complete the required amount of training deemed necessary by their mentor before successfully advancing into any Licensed Adjudicator status, and must co-judge one school feis (at the novice and prizewinner levels) at the minimum. The trainee will not be compensated for this co-judge status, since their scores are not for the purpose of evaluating the dancers, but for the purpose of training and evaluating the candidate.

There will be an oral examination on areas of adjudication: posture, timing, placement, execution, technique, and presentation as well as evaluation of video of selected dancers with adjudication results. Training times can vary, and the adjudication mentor must approve advancement.

Upon successful completion of this effort, the candidate will be licensed to adjudicate any NAIDF Irish Dance solo competition through the Prizewinner level.

SIDA Grade 3

An individual interested in SIDA Grade 3 licensing must be an MIDT Grade 3 and must have a SIDA Grade 3 Licensed Adjudicator mentor. The candidate must complete the required amount of training deemed necessary by their mentor before successfully advancing into any Licensed Adjudicator status, and must co-judge one school feis (at the Preliminary Championship and Open Championship) at the minimum. The trainee will not be compensated for this co-judge status, since their scores are not for the purpose of evaluating the dancers, but for the purpose of training and evaluating the candidate.

There will be an oral examination on areas of adjudication: posture, timing, placement, execution, technique, and presentation as well as evaluation of video of selected dancers with adjudication results. Training times can vary, and the adjudication mentor must approve advancement.

Upon successful completion of this effort, the candidate will be licensed to adjudicate any NAIDF Irish Dance solo competition through the Open Championship level.

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Ceilí/Performance Irish Dance Adjudicator (CPIDA)

An individual interested in ceilí/performance adjudicator licensing must have earned their CPT and CCT and must have a Licensed Adjudicator sponsor. The teacher must complete the required amount of training deemed necessary by their sponsor before successfully advancing into any Licensed Adjudicator status, and must co-judge one school feis at the minimum.

There will be a written examination on areas of adjudication: posture, timing, placement, execution, technique, and presentation as well as video of selected dancers with adjudication results. Training times can vary, and the adjudication mentor must approve advancement.

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