Royal Academy of Dance

We are engaged in building the professional future of our members and the future of the dance sector - Luke Rittner, Chief Executive

The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations. 

We promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. We seek to accomplish this through promoting dance, educating and training students and teachers and providing examinations to set standards and reward achievement.

We aim to be recognised internationally for the highest standards of teaching and learning, as a leader in continuing professional development in dance and as the professional membership body that supports and promotes dance teachers at every step of their career encouraging their innovative contributions to dance and education throughout the world.

The RAD has a long history of improving dance training standards. It was founded in 1920 to re-invigorate dance teaching within the UK; however, over time it has expanded its influence and activities internationally counting currently more than 1,000 students in full-time or part-time teacher training programmes. With our examination syllabus being taught to more than a quarter of a million students worldwide, we help and encourage our teachers to perfect their teaching skills and pass on this knowledge to their students.

The Academy's patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Today the RAD has a presence in 79 countries, with 36 offices and approximately 13,000 members worldwide. We support our membership base of professional dancers, students, teachers, benefactors and friends through the knowledge, support and technical expertise of our highly qualified staff and the social interaction of like-minded enthusiasts at RAD conferences, workshops, training courses or summer schools. 

11 years ago, in recognition of our increasing commitment to higher education, we created the Faculty of Education department, dedicated to meeting the needs of our current and future dance teachers by providing dance teacher education programmes and qualifications.