IDTA Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Dance: Grade 1

INTERNATIONAL-DANCE-TEACHERS-ASSOCIATION

vocational

This element focuses on the fundamentals of Acrobatic Dance, where candidates demonstrate the integration of simple gymnastic skills with dance movement, emphasizing control, flexibility, and smooth transitions. At Grade 1, learners perform basic acrobatic sequences such as forward rolls, cartwheels, and balances, set to music to develop body awareness, coordination, and artistic expression. Mastery at this level builds a safe foundation for more complex acrobatic skills in higher grades.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for demonstrating correct body alignment during acrobatic elements (e.g., straight legs in cartwheels, tucked head in forward rolls) to ensure safety and technical accuracy.
Credit precise timing with the musical beat, ensuring that acrobatic skills are executed on the intended count and transitions between movements are rhythmically fluid.
Look for evidence of performance quality, such as sustained eye contact, expressive facial engagement, and dynamic energy appropriate to the music's mood.
Assess the ability to maintain continuous flow between dance steps and acrobatic elements without pauses or loss of balance, indicating control and preparation.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for demonstrating correct body alignment during acrobatic elements (e.g., straight legs in cartwheels, tucked head in forward rolls) to ensure safety and technical accuracy.
Credit precise timing with the musical beat, ensuring that acrobatic skills are executed on the intended count and transitions between movements are rhythmically fluid.
Look for evidence of performance quality, such as sustained eye contact, expressive facial engagement, and dynamic energy appropriate to the music's mood.
Assess the ability to maintain continuous flow between dance steps and acrobatic elements without pauses or loss of balance, indicating control and preparation.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Prioritise quality over quantity; perfect a small selection of well-controlled acrobatic skills rather than attempting more difficult moves with poor technique, as examiners value clean execution and safety.
💡Practise performing the entire sequence with musical accompaniment repeatedly to internalise the timing and develop muscle memory for smooth transitions between acrobatic and dance elements.
💡Use mirror and video feedback to check alignment, facial expression, and fluidity; judges will reward a polished performance that appears effortless and confident.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Students often rush acrobatic elements, sacrificing control and clean lines for speed, leading to safety risks and messy transitions.
A common error is neglecting the dance component, treating the sequence purely as gymnastics rather than integrating artistic movement and musical phrasing.
Many candidates fail to spot properly during cartwheels or turns, causing disorientation and loss of direction, which disrupts the choreographic flow.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

1. Be able to perform simple movement sequences showing an awareness of basic technique in the chosen dance genre.2. Be able to perform simple movement sequences showing an awareness of musicality in the chosen dance genre.3 .Be able to show an awareness of performance in the chosen dance genre.

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

IDTA Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Dance: Grade 1

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in INTERNATIONAL-DANCE-TEACHERS-ASSOCIATION vocational Dance & Performing Arts

Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 1

Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 2

Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 4

Graded Examination in Acrobatic Dance: Grade 5