As we approach the last full dance year of the 1900’s, Faye and I wish all ADAPT teachers a successful registration and a happy dance year. We would like to welcome all the new ADAPT teachers and we hope that you will find the Syllabus work and the examination process refreshing and rewarding.

As we enter this new season and prepare for the up coming ADAPT workshops and examination tours, Faye and I look back to the early eighties when the ADAPT family had only fifteen to eighteen active teachers representing ten to fifteen active studios participating in the examination process. In 1998, over 100 active teachers representing some 70 dance studios (from coast to coast) have chosen ADAPT and participated in workshops and examinations. "Associated Dance Arts For Professional Teachers" has certainly grown. You should be proud!

This year, ADAPT is working very hard to meet the challenges we face as we move into the 21^st Century. We will make the necessary changes that are needed to enforce a more professional "Syllabus operation". We will endeavour to improve communications with our ADAPT teachers. There will be more promotion of ADAPT on an international level. A new ADAPT web site will be introduced. New Class 5 & Class 6 exams will be added to the Ballet Syllabus and the Intermediate and Advance Tap & Jazz Syllabus will be revised in 1999. We will work to get examination certificates out to studios much earlier.

It has been brought to Faye's and my attention that there are concerns regarding a few dance teachers who are not ADAPT teachers who are advertising that they are certified and teach the ADAPT Syllabus or "The Brian Foley System". This is unfair to the ADAPT dance teachers who have taken the required training and participate in the examination process and is totally unacceptable to Faye or myself. We are aware of the problem and are monitoring this situation very closely. We are prepared to put a stop to false, unfair advertising and ask that you bring to our attention the names of anybody who might be doing just that.

Dance teachers who come to one Summer Workshop or a Teachers’ Workshop are not considered a qualified ADAPT teacher. To use the name "ADAPT" or "The Brian Foley System" in any advertising or promotions, you must have not only attended at least one ADAPT Teachers’ Workshop but you must also have students participate in examinations by qualified ADAPT examiners. Only through experience of time and putting students successfully through the examination process can you be recognized as a certified "ADAPT" teacher. You cannot buy the right to advertise ADAPT, you must earn the right to do so!

Another problem is that there are some ADAPT teachers who have studios where non ADAPT trained teachers are teaching. This is not a problem as long as those untrained teachers are not teaching the ADAPT Syllabus. If they are going to teach the ADAPT Syllabus then they too must attend a ADAPT Workshop so that we can ensure that they are properly trained in the ADAPT Syllabus.

ADAPT represents quality teaching, with high quality results in both your students’ examination results and in their success in competitions. ADAPT has become a very important and significant part of the Canadian dance scene. Its reputation and training methods are recognized by Provincial Boards of Education, professional choreographers and directors, adjudicators, well known convention teachers (including south of the boarder) and most importantly, by most of the Dance Teachers Organizations across North America.

ADAPT has a commitment to all its teachers and especially to the teachers who have been the back bone of the Syllabus success by teaching ADAPT and putting students through the examination process successfully for many years. Some of you have been with us since the beginning. It’s dedicated teachers such as you whose hard work helped to create the ADAPT standard. Part of our commitment to you is to protect you and your studios from unethical advertising and wrong doing, and to make sure that all teachers, young and old, continue to maintain the highest possible standard of work.

We are often asked about how ADAPT came to be so we have prepared the enclosed write-up that gives the history of ADAPT. It also outlines the purpose of Examinations and Workshops. This write-up would be a good document to put up on your Studio Notice Board so that your students and their parents can gain an appreciation for how ADAPT came about and what it stands for.

We have just completed our three ADAPT Summer Workshops. Cranbrook, Winnipeg, and Toronto were lots of work but great fun. We thank all the teachers and students who participated this summer. A special thanks to our faculty: Debbie Noce, Janet Venn-Jackson, Nicole Thomas, Ryan Foley, Larissa Kouznetsova, Andrea Viola, Jason Twardowski and Sophia Costantini. Also a big thanks to our Summer Workshop hosts: Sheri Green and her studio in Cranbrook, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Winnipeg and Jacque Frosier and The Koffler Centre School Of Dance in Toronto.

Since the introduction of the new Junior and Pre-Intermediate Syllabus, Faye and I feel that there has been a significant improvement in the children’s basic technique and strength skills. Take note that the ADAPT examiners will insist that all the Junior set work as shown at the Teachers’ Workshops be presented as requested. Similarly, all the required dances for the Intermediate and Advance Tap and Jazz exams must be taught and presented as required. At the end of your exam session, please leave a little time for consultation with the examiner(s) that may be needed. Please be aware, although it is not the student’s fault, their examination mark will be negatively affected if the Syllabus work is taught incorrectly.

All Advance exams will be held in a central location in each Province. All Advance examination requests must be sent to Mrs. Snell and then the candidates will be given a time and location for their examination.

As ADAPT grows, Faye and I (and other certified ADAPT examiners) must be even more astute and sincere in our critique and evaluation of each examination candidate. The Syllabus standard must remain the same across the country. I promise all ADAPT teachers and students that we will continue to examine in a fair and unbiased manner.

Please, please, please contact Mrs. Snell at 403-254-6660 ASAP to request your examination dates. The Fall schedule is virtually complete but times are available for Winter or Spring exams. As usual, any teacher wishing an in-studio workshop during their exam time must book this immediately.

The new Syllabus books are completed and will be mailed out only to the teachers who attended the 1997 Teachers’ Course in Red Deer. This does not include the teachers who have already received one. Other qualified teachers who need a new Syllabus book may purchase one through Mrs. Snell at a cost of $65.00.

Please note that the old Pre-Junior and old Junior Syllabus are no longer in use. All examinations conducted from now on will be based on the new Junior and Pre-Intermediate Syllabus. The Intermediate and Advance levels remain the same until the Fall of 1999.

Any teacher who did not attend last year’s Teachers’ Summer Workshop or the Syllabus review classes held this summer, must become familiar with the new Syllabus work before entering students into examinations this season. Please contact Mrs. Snell at 403-254-6660 to register for training at one of the Fall Workshops or to arrange a private tutoring session with one of the ADAPT Examiners..

*Look for a guest faculty guest teacher at these ADAPT workshops and at the 1999 ADAPT Summer Convention.

Teachers will receive one free day if they have students paying $300.00 or more in class fees or two free days if they have students registered paying $600.00 or more. Please read the following fee schedule in order to fully understand the fees and savings with multiple classes. If you want to collect the fees from your students before the Workshop and bring them with you, that would be appreciated! Otherwise, just show up at least 30 minutes before the first class to pay fee and register!

Teachers and Assistant Teachers may attend and participate in as many classes as they wish. The fee is based on the number of days attended:

The Can-Dance Title & Trophy Competitions will be held in five Canadian cities in 1999. Divisions will be as in the past, i.e. Mini, Junior, Intermediate & Senior (including Novice divisions) in Solo, Duet/Trio, Small and Large Group Categories as well as a Semi Final Title Competition in each city. The Coordinator for Can-Dance '99 will be Debbie Noce (905-403-0151).

The Can-Dance '99 cities are Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto, Saskatoon or Regina and Edmonton. Locations and exact dates will be released at the end of September.

Look for the new Can-Dance '99 National Finals Competition to be held in Toronto during July of 1999 at the same time as the 1999 ADAPT National Convention/Workshop. The new Syllabus for Intermediate and Advance Tap and Jazz and Class 5 and 6 Ballet will be introduced at this National Workshop

More information to follow regarding these new and exciting events.

Teachers, since the ADAPT Syllabus and its directives are copy written, we request that you do not photo copy the Syllabus or any part of the Syllabus. It must not be copied for other teachers. I know it’s hard if you have two or three teachers working for you, but if they are a certified assistant teacher, they should have their own copy, or your studio can purchase a second copy for use by your faculty.

In closing, we look forward to seeing you at one of the fall ADAPT Workshops or at exam time. Now it’s time to ADAPT! Have a great September opening.

Regards,
Brian & Faye