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Turn your dance expertise into adjudication expertise.
Live, interactive training, certification, and professional development for competitive dance adjudicators: from experienced dance educators exploring the role to working adjudicators refining their craft.
138 Level One Graduates • 39 Level Two Graduates • Live Online • Practical Training
Knowing dance is only part of the job.
There is no single standard pathway into competitive studio dance adjudication. Experienced dance educators bring valuable knowledge to the judges’ table, but applying that knowledge in a competition setting brings different demands.
Adjudicating calls for clear, thoughtful communication and the ability to balance feedback, scoring and award decisions in real time. It also means working collaboratively with fellow adjudicators and the competition team, adapting to each event’s expectations and maintaining focus and consistency across long competition days.
★EXPERTISE
Apply your dance knowledge across ages, levels and disciplines while recognizing what matters most in each performance.
★FEEDBACK
Identify priorities quickly and communicate clear, specific and valuable feedback as the routine unfolds.
★PROFESSIONALISM
Manage the responsibilities of the role, work within an event’s expectations and contribute positively to the competition experience.
Great adjudication takes training, practice, and continued development.
LEVEL ONE
ADJUDICATOR TRAINING + CERTIFICATION
Build the foundation.
8 Hours • Live Online
Maximum 6 Participants • $1,299 CAD + GST
Whether you’re preparing to adjudicate for the first time or bringing years of experience to the table, Level One gives you a framework for approaching the role with greater clarity, consistency and professionalism.
But you won’t just talk about adjudicating. You’ll practice.
Every participant practices with real competition routines through the program. You’ll work through feedback, scoring and awards tasks, share perspectives and learn from different approaches. Everyone practices. Every routine.
The live course provides tools and guided practice. Afterward, a separate practical assignment gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills for certification.
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NEW TO ADJUDICATION?
ALREADY BEHIND THE TABLE?
NEW TO ADJUDICATING?
You’ve spent years developing your expertise as a dance educator. Now you’re interested in bringing that experience to adjudication, but may not know where to begin.
Start with Level One
ALREADY ADJUDICATING?
Experience at the judges’ table is valuable. Level One offers a shared framework for feedback, scoring, leadership and professional practice, and establishes the foundation for Level Two.
Experienced adjudicators belong here, too
“This course is both fun and worthwhile. Tamara is well-spoken, organized, professional, and welcoming. I feel inspired to give feedback that both dancers and teachers will find valuable. I highly recommend this course to both aspiring and long-standing adjudicators. ”.
Alysha | Dance Educator
★What adjudicators are saying
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THE LEVEL ONE FRAMEWORK
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01 | LEADERSHIP
Explore professionalism, responsibility, communication, conduct and the impact an adjudicator can have on dancers, educators and the competition experience.
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02 | VALUABLE FEEDBACK
Learn to identify priorities and deliver feedback that is specific, actionable, efficient and appropriate.
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03 | THE BUSINESS OF ADJUDICATING
Understand professional expectations, competition relationships, and the foundations of a sustainable adjudication career.
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04 | SCORING PRECISION
Practice evaluating performances, making timely scoring decisions and adapting your approach to different competition scoring systems.
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05 | MEANINGFUL AWARDS
Navigate special awards and overall decisions while balancing award responsibilities with the rest of the adjudication workload.
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LEARN IT. APPLY IT. DISCUSS IT.
Level One is built around participation. You'll practice with real competition routines, apply concepts independently, discuss different approaches and hear what effective adjudication sounds like. You'll then put those ideas to work .
LEVEL ONE INCLUDES
Eight hours of live, interactive training
Extensive guided practice with real competition routines
A cohort of no more than six participants
TDLI’s Adjudication Handbook and learning resources
A practical adjudication assignment after the course
Individual assessment with detailed rubric feedback and personalized next steps
Level One Certification when the certification standard is met
“This course was thoughtfully designed and expertly presented! All the angles and responsibilities of the job of an adjudicator were addressed and helpful first-hand examples were shared in support of each component of learning. Having multiple opportunities to practice how to balance commentary, scoring and special awards was so valuable.”
Laura Killeen | Dance Educator
Certification is JUST the beginning.
To become a TDLI Level One Certified Adjudicator, you must meet the eligibility requirements, actively participate in the complete program, submit the required practical assignment and achieve a minimum assessment score of 70%.
The assignment includes adjudicating two assigned routines. Your work is individually assessed using a detailed rubric covering the quality and balance of your feedback, communication and delivery, scoring decisions and your ability to explain those decisions. You'll receive feedback on your demonstrated strengths and areas to develop.
TDLI provides the training and assessment. Your feedback helps guide your development. Competition directors make their hiring decisions.
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CERTIFICATION
Confirms that you've completed TDLI's required training and demonstrated the Level One assessment standard.
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READINESS
Your assessment offers a clearer picture of your current skills and the areas that would benefit from further practice. Certified adjudicators can have different levels of experience and different next steps.
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FIT
Every competition has its own needs, expectations and culture. Competition directors decide whether an adjudicator's skills, experience and approach are right for their event.
The difference shows in the work.
138 Level One Graduates
39 Level Two Graduates
Graduates tell us the training has helped them stand out for interviews and secure adjudication work—even without previous experience behind the judges’ table.
For adjudicators, it builds confidence in their skills and approach. For competitions, it brings greater confidence in the people they hire.
“TDLI-trained judges often submit stronger, more thoughtful applications than those with standard, cut-and-paste responses. As a competition director, I really appreciate seeing candidates demonstrate a genuine interest in our organization, our judging methods, and the values we share.
That extra effort makes a noticeable difference and often leads to more candidates being invited to the second round of interviews. It speaks to the value of the tools and training TDLI provides and how they help prepare judges to succeed in their roles.”
Lee Pham, Founder/ Director, Versastyle Dance Competition
LEVEL TWO
APPLIED ADJUDICATION + CERTIFICATION
Refine your practice
4 Hours • Live Online • 3 Participants • Level One Certification Required • $649 CAD + GST
Level One gives you the framework. Level Two gives you the opportunity to put it under pressure.
Level Two centres on live adjudication and individualized coaching. Participants adjudicate competition routines aloud, examine the decisions they're making and receive immediate feedback on what they notice, how they communicate it and how they manage scoring, timing and the competing demands of the role.
You'll adjudicate at least one routine that other participants also assess. Comparing approaches makes room to explore different observations, priorities and defensible scoring decisions—without asking everyone to sound the same.
Then you'll adjust and try again. Instead of leaving with a list of things to improve, you'll have the opportunity to make a change while you're there. You'll leave with greater clarity about your strengths, habits and next areas for development.
HOW LEVEL TWO WORKS
Level Two Certification is earned through active participation and demonstrated application during the live practical program. Your work is observed and coached throughout the session; there is no separate scored post-course assessment. The follow-up reflection completes the learning experience.
WHY LEVEL ONE ADJUDICATION FIRST?
Level Two builds on a demonstrated Level One foundation, so the small cohort can spend its time adjudicating, comparing, receiving coaching and refining the work.
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there’s more than one way to keep GROWING
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Submit recorded adjudication for an independent review of your feedback, scoring, delivery and overall approach. Receive individualized analysis, practical recommendations and next steps.
$249 CAD + GST
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Work individually with Tamara Thompson Levi through live adjudication practice and coaching tailored to your feedback, scoring, delivery, decision-making or professional goals.
$249 CAD + GST per hour
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Take your development into the competition environment.
TDLI is developing limited apprenticeship opportunities that may combine preparation, observation and practical experience at a live competition. Availability will depend on the event, location, schedule, capacity and participant readiness.
KEEP DEVelOPING
Find your ongoing professional home in the Adjudicator Circle.
Adjudication is a craft, and strong adjudicators continue learning. The TDLI Adjudicator Circle offers year-round opportunities to practice, explore specific disciplines and challenges, learn through industry conversations and connect with other adjudicators.
*You do not need to be TDLI Certified to join.
What’s included?
Genre-specific Practice Labs
Practice Video Library
Hot Topic Roundtables
Industry Conversations
Community Building
Connection
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Tamara Thompson Levi
Dance Industry Leader | Producer | Educator | Entrepreneur
Tamara brings a perspective shaped by her work as an adjudicator, dance educator and competition director. As Founder and Director of Shine Dance Festival and The Dance Leadership Institute, she has spent years adjudicating dancers and hiring, supporting and working alongside adjudicators.
Her approach connects practical adjudication skills with leadership, professionalism and an understanding of what dancers, educators and competition organizations need from the people behind the table.
★FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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No. Level One is designed to meet aspiring, new and experienced adjudicators wherever they are in their journey. Applicants should have at least five years of dance teaching experience and a genuine commitment to dance education. We review applications for fit with the program.
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Yes. Level One offers TDLI's framework for leadership, valuable feedback, the business of adjudicating, scoring precision and meaningful awards. It also provides the assessed foundation required for Level Two.
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Apply first. Once accepted, you'll receive information about available cohorts and registration. Applying does not reserve a cohort place.
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No. Completing the training is one part of the process. To become a TDLI Level One Certified Adjudicator, you must meet the eligibility requirements, actively participate in the complete program, complete the practical assignment and earn at least 70% on the assessment.
If you have not yet met that standard, you'll receive detailed feedback and information about reassessment. You do not need to repeat the full Level One program solely because your first assessment was below 70%.
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Certification establishes that you've met TDLI's standard for that level. People bring different experience to the role, and your individual feedback can help you choose what to practise next. Competition directors decide whether your experience, skills and approach are a good fit for their event.
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Level One brings the realities of adjudicating into the learning experience. Throughout the live program, you'll practise with actual competition videos, use competition scoring software and work through feedback, scoring and awards responsibilities.
With a maximum of six participants, there's space to discuss decisions, ask questions and receive personalized guidance. Afterward, your practical assignment is individually assessed, with detailed feedback and recommendations for your next steps.
Behind that experience are carefully prepared videos, adjudication and score sheets, software setup, and a handbook and resources that are regularly updated.
You'll also gain behind-the-scenes insight from an experienced educator, adjudicator and competition director—helping you understand professional expectations and navigate situations before encountering them on the job.
The tuition reflects the preparation, access, practical training and individual attention that support your development.
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Level One Certified
This adjudicator has met TDLI's eligibility requirements, completed professional training, and demonstrated the foundational skills needed to adjudicate dance, achieving a minimum assessment score of 70%.Level Two Certified
This adjudicator has completed Level One Certification and demonstrated more advanced adjudication skills through additional training and practical application.What does certification tell competitions?
TDLI Certification confirms that an adjudicator has completed structured professional training and demonstrated their skills through assessment. It provides competitions with an additional measure of preparation when selecting adjudicators, but does not guarantee employment or suitability for every event. -
It can! TDLI Certification strengthens your professional profile by demonstrating that you've invested in adjudicator-specific training and developed the skills competitions are looking for.
Graduates have shared that the training helped them secure adjudicating opportunities, even without previous experience. Competition organizers have also told us they can recognize the difference in TDLI-trained adjudicators, from their applications and the quality of their feedback.
While hiring decisions always rest with individual competitions, certification can help you stand out and approach opportunities with greater confidence.
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Level Two builds on the skills and shared approach established and assessed in Level One. That lets the small cohort focus on live adjudication, coaching and refinement.
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No separate scored exam follows the course. In Level Two, your application of the learning is observed during the live practical work. Certification depends on active participation and demonstrated application, and the follow-up reflection completes the learning experience.
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Your application and acceptance are valid for one year from your original application date. If you haven't registered within that time, you are welcome to reapply so we can confirm your current experience and fit for the program.
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No. TDLI Certification is not required to join.
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READY TO TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP?