History & Philosophy
AAIDT Instructors represent the highest academic standards in Irish Dancing. In addition to world-class Irish Dance qualifications, all AAIDT members must secure Background Clearances and First Aid/CPR Certification for the safety of our students. In addition, Licensed Instructors must complete extensive Professional Development training that involves child and adult educational strategies, child wellness and customer satisfaction. Student safety is our primary concern.
History
The American Association of Irish Dancers and Instructors (AAIDT) began in 1998 with a series of cooperative events involving several Mid-Atlantic dance schools.
Today, AAIDT is the fastest growing independent Irish Dancing organization in the US. With members throughout North America and abroad, AAIDT provides competitive events, instructor licensing, and more resources for both dancers and instructors than any other Irish dancing organization.
2007
- AAIDT partners with the World Irish Dance Association and Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa to form what is collectively the largest independent Irish Dance Competition Circuit in the world.
- AAIDT partners with Daoine Sidhe Academy and the Delaware County Community College in Pennsylvania to facilitate a Career Certificate in Irish Dancing.
2006
- The leader in Irish dance technology, AAIDT pioneered affordable distance licensing for instructors and now offers distance evaluation for dancers.
- AAIDT established a membership category for Dancers and PTA committees in August 2006. This level of membership grants dancers and dancer advocates the same policy voting privileges formerly only available to instructors and adjudicators. This unprecedented act ensures that AAIDT competitions remain in the best interests of the dancers, rather than the instructors.
- To commemorate this new policy, AAIDT officially changed its name from the original “American Association of Irish Dance Teachers ” to “American Association of Irish Dancers and Teachers” in a ceremony exhibited at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 14, 2006.
Special Events
AAIDT in the spotlight at the National Constitution Center
What better place to showcase the spirit of AAIDT than at the Nation’s Constitutional showcase? On August 11, 2006, The American Association of Irish Dancers & Teachers was honored to represent Irish dancing in an exhibit of Dance as Sport at the National Constitution Center.
Dancers from AAIDT-affiliated schools showcased Irish dance performances and historical memorabilia reflecting the history of Irish dance as a competitive sport, and AAIDT dancers performed on the final day of the exhibit in a segment called “The Day of Dance”.
During the exhibit, at the home of the United States Constitution, AAIDT officially amended its own constitution. In a truly revolutionary move, AAIDT adopted a new class of membership which allows dancers and parent organizations, not just instructors, to participate in AAIDT democracy.
