I am taking private lessons. I have been dancing off and on for a couple of years. My instructor is telling me that I am in the basic/social level of dance. I have been doing some research and a lot of the bronze level dancing that I am seeing out there, including the video clips on this website, we are doing in class and at the dance parties. I am proficient in these moves. I am not sure if these moves differ depending on where the training has been taken or not. She says that she is certified and has instructed with FA and AM. There are no certificates posted in her studio to substantiate this. When an instructor is certified, I am assuming that they are tested for each level...bronze, silver, gold...right? My biggest fear is that it is not necessary to be certified to teach...especially since she has asked me to help teach. Yikes! The lessons are fairly expensive and I have to admit that I have some doubts as to her qualifications. Any suggestions?!

level of dancing is determined not by the steps used, but by the perfection with which they are executed.

no piece of paper will prove your teacher is worth the money, only you can decide that when you have something to compare to

You wouldn't see any certificates posted regarding the teacher's A.M. or F.A. qualifications, because these two franchises are very protective of their syllabus, and revoke the qualifications once the teacher has left the school. She may very well have tested out of the Bronze or Silver level with them, but as a former employee she is not officially allowed to advertise those credentials.

...Not that they mean much, to be perfectly honest. I've seen people pass their ISTD exams who have no business teaching. On the flip side, many of my colleagues who are well-qualified (some charging $90 and up for a 45-minute lesson, and rightfully so) have never taken an exam. In particular, the chain schools are notoriously lax on their exam standards. So while I wouldn't doubt that your teacher has taken whatever exams she claims to have, I wouldn't use them as a measure of her ability. Use your own judgement, and you'll be far better off.

Regards,
Jonathan