Welcome!
Education is a great place to start your YPAD™ journey!
At YPAD™, we understand the crucial role adults play in shaping the lives of youth dancers. That’s why YPAD™ believes education in safeguarding capacity-building should be available to everyone, even if they are not seeking certification.
Whether you are an individual, studio owner, parent, dance professional, leader of a dance organization, or college director, we encourage you to engage with the various materials, links, and courses on our Education page.
Education empowers
Why is safety and wellness education vital?
Adults hold the responsibility of safeguarding the well-being of young dancers under your guidance. By equipping yourself with more knowledge on dance-related health and safety practices, you can create a secure space where dancers can thrive and explore their passion without unnecessary risks. By prioritizing the overall well-being of young dancers, you'll empower them to excel in dance and lead balanced and fulfilling lives.
Our team of experienced instructors, well-versed in dance science, injury prevention, and youth well-being, delivers engaging workshops, seminars, and online courses. These programs provide practical insights, evidence-based knowledge, and innovative teaching methodologies that you can immediately implement in your role.
YPAD™Educational courses and seminars do not lead to YPAD™ Certification but enhance professional and personal development!
FREE RESOURCES
Not ready to take a course or become YPAD™ yet? That's okay, we are still here to help you get started on your journey. The following downloads are free so you can begin taking tangible steps toward healthier businesses and safer classrooms today! Please share with your friends and colleagues. As the saying goes, "A rising tide floats all boats." Every extra measure of safeguarding capacity-building in the dance community helps make the future better for our students. Revisit this page throughout the school year to find updated and new resources.
"As a studio owner and former professional dancer, I believe it's essential that everyone in the dance industry–from parents to professionals– have access to education and information to help support healthy dance experiences for kids. YPAD™ makes education accessible to everyone."
Tiffany Prout-Leitao · Center Stage Dance Academy, MA
YPAD™ ALSO SERVES THE DANCE COMMUNITY BY OFFERING FREE COLLEGE SEMINARS FOR DANCE MAJORS
Matthew Farmer
Department Chair
Hope College
"YPAD™’s seminar for dancers is an essential conversation and educational session for all dance students in college. The information presented is pertinent and necessary for any dance student wishing to enter the performance industry. Conversations regarding power differentials, grooming, and sexual harassment are just some of the important topics covered, and the tools YPAD™ gives young dancers in order to address these issues are both concrete and applicable."
Aidan S. Nettles, MFA
Assistant Professor of Dance
The University of Alabama
“The team at YPAD™ facilitates an outstanding seminar to share information and resources with college students and future educators that are paramount for dancer safety. I find it imperative to equip my students to think critically, ask challenging questions, and to learn how to make positive contributions to the future of dance, and this experience afforded them the opportunity to exercise those skills. YPAD™’s college seminar provides a space for young educators to engage with challenging topics in a supported environment. I encourage all collegiate educators to take advantage of providing this experience!”
Mr. Richard Smith
Visiting Professor at East Carolina University
School of Theatre and Dance
“I am completely impressed with the delivery of the presentation by the YPAD™ team. They make the information easily digestible, positive and inviting. The feedback from the students was genuinely eye opening. The YPAD™ team sheds new light on how we can be better as educators and leaders in the industry. Much praise was shared in the talkback after the workshop was completed. I am so pleased with the presentation and look forward to having the students participate in additional resources from YPAD™.”
"I am proud and grateful to be part of an organization that serves to educate, equip, and empower the dance industry to create safe environments and experiences for children."
Sammi Rader · MSW and Dance Educator
YPAD™ is based in the United States. Though the education presented here is built upon U.S. standards, YPAD™ recognizes that there may be different standards in other cultures and countries across the globe. It is important to refer to the governance of your home country, state, province, or city to ensure consistent, legal compliance with the appropriate local regulations.
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Youth Protection Association for Dance™ is a division of Educational Standards LLC