This programme has been created for use in schools, dance studios, colleges, and community settings, providing an inclusive and progressive pathway that reflects the demands of the modern commercial dance industry and the interests of young dancers worldwide.
This programme has been created for use in schools, dance studios, colleges, and community settings, providing an inclusive and progressive pathway that reflects the demands of the modern commercial dance industry and the interests of young dancers worldwide.
This programme has been created for use in schools, dance studios, colleges, and community settings, providing an inclusive and progressive pathway that reflects the demands of the modern commercial dance industry and the interests of young dancers worldwide.
Commercial dance is one of the most influential and rapidly evolving sectors of the global performing arts industry. As styles continue to develop and merge, there is a clear need for a versatile and adaptable training programme that prepares dancers with the technical, creative, and performance skills required to succeed in both training and professional environments.
This programme has been created for use in schools, dance studios, colleges, and community settings, providing an inclusive and progressive pathway that reflects the demands of the modern commercial dance industry and the interests of young dancers worldwide.
Commercial dance is one of the most influential and rapidly evolving sectors of the global performing arts industry. As styles continue to develop and merge, there is a clear need for a versatile and adaptable training programme that prepares dancers with the technical, creative, and performance skills required to succeed in both training and professional environments.
Programme Overview
Programme Overview
The Commercial Dance Skills Programme focuses on the development of:
The Commercial Dance Skills Programme focuses on the development of:
Technical dance skills
Stylistic understanding
Musicality and rhythm
Performance confidence and presence
Artistic expression and individuality
Professional awareness and industry readiness
The programme supports training across a wide range of commercial and street dance styles, allowing teachers and centres to deliver training that reflects their expertise and the interests of their students.
The programme supports training across a wide range of commercial and street dance styles, allowing teachers and centres to deliver training that reflects their expertise and the interests of their students.
These styles may include, but are not limited to:
These styles may include, but are not limited to:
Hip Hop
Hip Hop
House
House
Breaking
Breaking
Afro Dance
Afro Dance
Dancehall
Dancehall
Emerging and fusion commercial dance styles
Emerging and fusion commercial dance styles
Popping
Popping
Locking
Locking
Krump
Krump
K-Pop
K-Pop
Contemporary-based street styles
Contemporary-based street styles
This flexible structure ensures the programme remains relevant, inclusive, and reflective of current global dance culture.
This flexible structure ensures the programme remains relevant, inclusive, and reflective of current global dance culture.
Aims of the Commercial Dance Skills Programme
Aims of the Commercial Dance Skills Programme
The programme aims to:
The programme aims to:
Provide a structured and progressive pathway for the development of commercial dance technique and performance skills
Promote versatility across a wide range of commercial and street dance styles
Develop confident, expressive, and technically capable performers
Encourage creativity, individuality, and artistic expression
Support progression into vocational training and professional dance careers
Reflect the evolving demands and trends of the commercial dance industry
Objectives of the Programme
Objectives of the Programme
The programme aims to:
The programme aims to:
Develop technical strength, coordination, and movement control
Demonstrate stylistic understanding appropriate to their chosen dance style(s)
Perform with musicality, rhythm, and expressive intent
Develop performance confidence and stage presence
Build adaptability across different commercial dance styles
Develop discipline and professional training habits
Grade Structure and Progression
Grade Structure and Progression
The Commercial Dance Skills Programme provides a clear and progressive pathway from beginner to pre-professional level.
Grades 1–7: Technical and Performance Development
Grades 1–7 establish a structured template for student progression within one or more commercial dance styles.
At these grades, candidates develop:
The Commercial Dance Skills Programme provides a clear and progressive pathway from beginner to pre-professional level.
Grades 1–7: Technical and Performance Development
Grades 1–7 establish a structured template for student progression within one or more commercial dance styles.
At these grades, candidates develop:
Technical foundations and movement vocabulary
Coordination, strength, and physical control
Musicality and rhythmic awareness
Stylistic accuracy and performance confidence
Increasing complexity and artistic maturity
Teachers may deliver training in one or multiple styles, supporting individual and centre specialisms.
Teachers may deliver training in one or multiple styles, supporting individual and centre specialisms.
Grade 8: Professional Project
Grade 8: Professional Project
Grade 8 represents an advanced level and is designed as a project-based assessment, preparing candidates for progression into full-time arts training or professional freelance work.
The Grade 8 project enables candidates to:
Grade 8 represents an advanced level and is designed as a project-based assessment, preparing candidates for progression into full-time arts training or professional freelance work.
The Grade 8 project enables candidates to:
Demonstrate technical and performance ability at an advanced level
Apply stylistic understanding in a professional context
Show artistic individuality and creative interpretation
Develop independence and professional awareness
Prepare for auditions, vocational training, or employment within the commercial dance industry
This level supports transition from structured training into pre-professional and professional environments.
This level supports transition from structured training into pre-professional and professional environments.
Grade 8: Professional Project
Grade 8: Professional Project
Candidates participating in the Commercial Dance Skills Programme develop:
Candidates participating in the Commercial Dance Skills Programme develop:
Commercial dance technique and stylistic versatility
Performance confidence and stage presence
Musicality and rhythmic precision
Physical strength, coordination, and control
Creative expression and individuality
Professional discipline and training habits
These skills prepare candidates for progression into:
These skills prepare candidates for progression into:
Vocational performing arts training
Professional dance careers
Commercial performance opportunities
Specialist Skills and Diploma qualifications
Examination Formats and Availability
Examination Formats and Availability
Urdang International Awards Commercial Dance Skills examinations are available:
Urdang International Awards Commercial Dance Skills examinations are available:
From Grade 1 through to Grade 8
For schools, dance studios, performing arts colleges, and community organisations
Across a wide range of commercial dance styles
In formats that support both individual and group learning environments
Introduce Commercial Dance Skills at Your School
Introduce Commercial Dance Skills at Your School
If you are interested in offering the Urdang International Awards Commercial Dance Skills Programme of Study at your school, college, or dance organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.
If you are interested in offering the Urdang International Awards Commercial Dance Skills Programme of Study at your school, college, or dance organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Our team will be pleased to support you in introducing the Urdang International Awards Lyrical and Contemporary syllabus and integrating it into your training programme
Our team will be pleased to support you in introducing the Urdang International Awards Lyrical and Contemporary syllabus and integrating it into your training programme
The Urdang International Awards Lyrical and Contemporary Dance syllabus provides a progressive and supportive pathway for developing technically skilled, expressive, and confident dancers prepared for further training and performance opportunities.
