"Improve your dance skills, train other Christian dance ministers and earn extra income - all from the comfort of your hometown - with the Distance Degree, Certification & e-Seminar Programs of VIRTUE DANCE ACADEMY"
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"Can't find a Christian Dance School in your area? Worry no more. VIRTUE now brings its dance school to your very living room. Delivered to you via distance and online methods, our programs will train you technically, artistically, spiritually, academically and professionally in the ministry art of DANCE.” |
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FREE 7-Day Trial, click here!
Virtura answers your top questions, click here!
Dear Kingdom Dancer,
If you'd like to (a) begin studying and teaching a proven curriculum that has produced hundreds of anointed yet skilled Christian dancers, (b) learn how to produce your own original, scripture-based, theatrical dance production and (c) become certified as a proficient dance instructor, leader, seminar speaker, or entrepreneur, then this might be the most important letter you'll ever read.
Here's why:
A few years ago I too was searching to become certified in the area of praise dance ministry, but the few schools I did find on the internet only offered local programs in their own hometown, which was inconvenient for me. Thats when I sought the Lord and was granted permission to "create" such a training/certification program, one that is comprehensive and beneficial to Christian dancers from across all walks of life, and all parts of the globe.
Ours is a program that literally certifies dancers from K3 to Adult in two ways;
(1) Accredited Diplomas, Degrees and Teaching Certification for the dance leader/teacher and
(2) Regular Completion Certificates for dance members/students.
To be honest, I seriously doubt that you will find another such program ... One that is stamped with the highest quality of academic, artistic, professional and ministerial excellence ... One that combines such features as convenient home-study, personal online coaching, university accreditation plus an emphasis on teaching practice skills.
Now, I know you're probably skeptical. That's normal and healthy. So I will give you five good reasons we can back up what we claim; but first let me give you the opportunity to join our network ...
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DOMINION DANCER NETWORK (DDN)
Benefits of joining this network includes FREE Membership and Subscription to our online newsletter, "Choreographed Living" and access to our DDN Area, where you can interact with praise dancers globally, view and post your own listings in our Magazine, Forum, Classifieds and Marketplace. To join please enter your first & last names and email below and click SUBMIT.
Then check your email box immediately when you should receive an email from us titled "RESPONSE REQUIRED ...", asking you to confirm that you want to receive info from the ddn group. Please click on the link in that email and then check your mailbox a second time, when you should receive our Welcome email. This email will give you instructions to get immediate access to the DDN Network Area. |
Five Reasons To Believe What I Say
Reason one:
For a mere dance school that is only one decade old, our outstanding post-secondary program has earned the respect of various international organizations. In fact as we celebrate our ... .
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10-YEAR-ANNIVERSAY: 1997-2007 |
... here are some of the outstanding professional achievements bestowed by these three prestigious institutions:
WWAC accreditation of our post-secondary program, “VIRTUE Christian Dance Studies (VCDS)” - click here to go to WWAC's website;
CLU articulation agreement for automatic transfer of our VCDS credits into CLU’s “Christian Arts” Degree programs – AA, BA, MA, PhD, click here to read about this arrangement on the CLU website;
IARC international recognition of VIRTUE Dance Academy and the VCDS program - 5*star rating - click here to see our listing on IARC's website;
( Abbreviations: WWAC =World-wide Accreditation Commission of Christian Educational Institutions, Virginia; CLU =Christian Leadership University, Louisiana; & IARC =International Accreditation & Recognition Council, Australia).
Academically, as far as we are aware, VIRTUE is the first Christian dance school to offer post-secondary certification courses that are of college level standard, and that can be wholly delivered via electronic and distance methods - you'll learn more about this as you continue to read on ...
Reason two:
Our regular dance school accomplishments speak for themselves. Let me tell you a little bit about "from whence we came". VIRTUE opened its doors at 10am on Saturday 12th April 1997 in the 14 x 10 ft room of a small community centre in Nassau, Bahamas. Only two students showed up for enrollment. Since then we have serviced hundreds of students within our academy and through special consultancy programs with various churches, schools and cultural groups.
Lately, when we call our class to order scores of excited and focused young dancers come bustling in, including regular students, Company dancers and Degree candidates. By extension, we have an additional enrollment of scores-to-hundreds of students following our proven curriculum as taught to them by our Regional Instructors and Degree candidates at various churches, schools and community centers, locally and internationally.
Our growth can be attributed to many factors; the most important one being the fact that Jesus Christ is the head of the vision, and I and my staff are committed to Him first, and secondly His VIRTUE Dance Academy vision. We believe in - and live the - stewardship principle, and are totally submitted to His direction.
Other success factors include our quality curriculum, teaching method, trained staff – click here to read a sketch of my dance accomplishments - professional affiliation, Christi-centered emphasis and artistic accomplishments. Among the latter, VIRTUE has debuted four original productions, including "Beauty And The King" which was aired primetime on The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas and performed live on tour to New York City in 2000; "The Seed Of The Woman", which is the first dance musical to be featured locally in movie format at GALLERIA Cinemas in 2002, and more recently "The Showdown At Mt. Carmel" and "The Prophet's Wife" which both debuted to packed theatres during the Spring of 2004 and 2006, respectively..
Our students have won numerous National Arts Festival titles, plus gold medals from The American Academy of Ballet (AAB), NY. One year recently our 69 candidates performed so well, gaining some 37 Gold medals of which 15 were with distinctions, and 32 Silver medals of which 25 were with distinctions. Such was the excellence of our students' performance that not only did the adjudicator not have to award any bronze medals, but she actually ran out of Gold with distinction awards, stating that she "never had to give out so many to one school". Our students are still excelling well in the annual AAB's performance awards program, having achieved the following results on Jun-17-06: 35 candidates medaled with 2 Gold Distinctions, 13 Golds, 12 Silver Distinctions, 8 Silvers & NO Bronzes.
Reason three:
We have walked the path so that you can avoid the pitfalls. You can be assured that you will get the utmost professional advisory and mentoring service from us, because this is a full-time, not "side" job of ours. In fact, it is my conviction that by serving you I am fulfilling my part of the Great Commission, to disciple the nations through Christian Dance.
I knew that this would be a life-time commitment when I walked off my "secured" job in the legal field on November 11th 1998. I had been preparing for our first major production and instead of "rendering time to Caesar", I found myself choreographing whole segments of the production during the day. It got so bad that when I attempted to complete my title searches, I would see dancers and movement and patterns displayed on the microfilm machine instead of words. Realizing that I could no longer give an honest day of work in a "non-dance" environment to "Caesar", I accepted the full-time entrepreneurial and ministerial call to Christian Dance.
I new then, just like I am still convinced now, that this is an "election" that I have to "make sure"; a lifetime commitment. And although VIRTUE has experienced some very tough times, we have weathered the storm, been faithful in the few, and have thus been promoted to bigger responsibilities. Therefore, dedicated service is what you can expect from VIRTUE Dance Academy.
Reason four:
We are a fruit-bearing establishment. In The Bahamas we have a saying, "chip don't fall far from the block", which could be positive or negative, depending on the context. In our case, we can truly say that our offspring produce "dance ministry" fruits where ever they go.
Here are the current activities in which some of our graduates are involved locally: operating their own Christian dance school; compiling their own curriculum; producing original dance shows; representing our country on international tours with the Bahamas' National Liturgical Dance Company; teaching dance in government and private schools; and consulting and conducting dance workshops and classes with praise dance groups, plus cultural and government entities. My full-time assistant grew-up in our program; and VIRTUE kids in general are easily distinguishable - literally outshining all other dancers - when they minister in church and school dance troupes because of their high standard of both artistry and anointing.
WARNING!!! Be prepared for exponential growth in all areas of your dance ministry - and indeed your life - when you join our program because such is the anointing upon our establishment.
Reason five:
Our customers can tell you right now about the value they are getting. Vickie can be contacted directly (see bottom of following quote), but just check out what she wrote in her capstone assignment for MIN-111 recently in Feb/2006 ...
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TESTIMONIAL
As this course (MIN-111 eSeminar/subject) comes to an end, I would like to say that I have been truly bless by the information comprised in this course of study. I have received great resources to pour back into the ministry in which I serve. I have acquired foundation material for teaching, facilitating seminars and hosting workshops. I have searched high and low for a course of this nature and after much prayer and fasting God led me to Virtue Christian Dance Academy. Being able to study and relating and applying biblical principles as it relates to dance is like a dream come true. I’ve never imagined being able to study dance in a Christian environment but I serve a Mighty and Awesome God. I have been so encouraged to step out on faith and move as God is leading me. My Christian Dance studio is just over the horizon. My purpose is so much clearer. My thinking has been transformed. I am walking boldly in my call realizing that God has fully equipped me for the work ahead. I’ve learned the importance of ministry outside the confines of the church, “four-walls”. I’ve learned that there is so much work to be done in ministry and that during this end time evangelism is pre-eminent. I’ve learned the importance of knowing your five-fold ministry gift and operating in it. I’ve learned how to stay in my area of giftedness, and allow others in the ministry to utilize the gifts that God has given to each of them.
This course alone has confirmed so much that God has shown me in visions over the years. I never really thought about the significance of having both artistry and technique until this course. My thinking was as long as I have the anointing I have everything I need. I studied technique because I had dancers who danced all their lives and I wanted to ensure that I taught them correctly. I now see the need for both artistry and technique, for Christian dancers can certainly meet or exceed that of the secular profession. I have been enlightened in knowing how dance can be used as a commercial instrument for training dance ministers and the funding of local and global dance missions and how dance contributes to nation building value. I attend 3 to 4 dance seminars and workshops a year, but none have ever stressed or mentioned dance being utilized in this fashion.
I am ecstatic as I see the visions unfold right before my very eyes. My heart is so overjoyed. It is a blessing, privilege, and honor to be used by God.
I cannot put it into words how thankful I am to God for guiding me through the internet, and to Professor Deveaux, for her obedience to God and for allowing Him to order her step. And for all those who spend countless hours praying and assisting her with this vision.
I look forward to dancing and training dancers to minister unto God with a “Spirit of Excellence” as we go throughout the world winning souls for Christ, fulfilling the “Great Commission”, and spreading the word through dance that Jesus saves, heals and delivers.
This has truly been a very rewarding experience for me and I am looking forward to the remainder courses of study.
Vickie Caldwell, Philadelphia, USA
Please visit Vickie's website at: http://vdg1.calledandanointed.com/index.html |
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1) Distance Learning
 The convenience and in-expense of home study. You won't have to leave home to study our practical and theory courses. That saves time and eliminates such expenses as commuting, etc.
2) Portfolio assessment
Our program is writing-based, rather than exam-based. At the end, you will have accumulated a substantial portfolio of your written assignments, which provide a lasting testament to the myriad of skills you would have developed.
3) Proven curriculum
We made all the mistakes so that you won't have to. Thus, you will be following a course that guarantees immediate success for both you and your dance members/students to become proficient Christian dance professionals.
4) Life-learning skills
From Day 1 of your course, you will learn how to sharpen your life-learning skills so that you can properly evaluate, extract, apply and record learning nuggets from both special and everyday opportunities, particularly those relating to your ministry call to dance.
5) University accredited
Finally you can get academic and professional certification in this dynamic field. As mentioned earlier we have an articulation agreement with a leading Christian university.
N.B. A NOTE ABOUT ACCREDITATION
Although our institution has been granted WWAC accreditation and IARC 5*star international recognition, it should be understood that VIRTUE Dance Academy is not a licensed or accredited degree-granting institution. However, the quality of our program has been assessed by CLU who has granted us an articulation agreement whereby our credits can be automatically accepted towards their "Christian Arts, Major in Dance" degree programs - please click here for the info that validates this arrangement . So, any queries you may have pertaining to accreditation should be levied at CLU. If you seek info about CLU accreditation, please click here to read the accreditation info presented on the CLU website.
6) Open entry
You can apply any time of the year, any minute of the day; such is the benefit of our virtual presence.
7) Guaranteed one-on-one coaching
This could never be a reality in a traditional university or even most dance studios. But VIRTUE guarantees you quality individual coaching to ensure both your academic and professional success throughout and beyond your studies with us.
8) Examination board for your students
You will continue to be mentored by us, even after graduation, as we together continue to train and assess your dancers annually in progressively higher levels of dance technique and artistry.
9) Comprehensive tangible and online resources
VIRTUE supplies - and/or links you to - all the resources you need to ensure your success, that would walk you step by step through your program. Resources include: videos, CDs, manuals, online coursework, text-books, student handouts, online faq library, study chatroom and student discussion forum.
10) A highly professional and resourceful online campus ...
Where you can login at any time to communicate regularly with faculty, tutors and students, plus access those vital tools that would help you achieve great success.
11) Convenient e-Seminar course-by-course study option
Our program is conveniently broken down into smaller units - which we refer to as subjects or e-Seminars. This way you may opt to study just one subject/eSeminar at a time, rather than commit to the full Certification program and payment schedule.
12) Affordable tuition
Our delivery to you - digitally and by distance - results in a significant cost reduction for us, which is a savings that we are able to pass on to you in the form of reduced tuition fees. However, should you choose a traditional university over us you will unfortunately spend between 150% to 300% more than what you will pay for VIRTUE distance programs. |
Now you're probably wondering, just how can we facilitate all these things. And why is our program offering so unique?
Teaching Certification & Licensing
REGIONAL INSTRUCTORS, TEACHING CERTIFICATION & LICENSING
What is so unique about our program is that the Degrees and Teaching Certification go hand in hand, so that all of our adult candidates also become "Provisional Tutors (PT)” while they study our program, and then Regional Instructors (RI)" after they complete their first Degree or Teaching Certification stage. They are required to work with a group of at least five students for the duration of their program. These candidates, aka PTs or RIs, receive from us a provisional or actual license - depending on whether they are a candidate or graduate, respectively - to teach the VIRTUE Dance Curriculum to students aged 3 to Adult.
Some requirements of the license are that the PT/RI registers at least six students with us, follows our curriculum and additional online aids, and prepare them annually for examination and awards of our VIRTUE Completion Certificates - i.e. VCC/K for Kids and VCC/A for Adults. Since our course and examination is “theatre” oriented, RI’s must host and videotape a special annual concert specifically for the VCC examination show. The license, valid for only one year, reflects the RI's current teaching certification stage/level (see below), and must be renewed annually.
Commitment from your students/dance members studying the VCC through you: Your students must pay the VCC fees to you and you will in turn pay them to us. The VCC Fees are $99 annually (payable in three installments of $33; or discounted to just $90 if paid in full at once). These fees cover the following:
(i) The right granted to your students to study our curriculum;
(ii) The tutoring we provide through you our Regional Instructor or Provisional Tutor;
(iii) Our assessment of their performance in the Exam Concert, and
(iv) The award of medals & certificates we send to confirm their achievement.
CURRICULUM & VCC LEVELS & STAGES
The VIRTUE Dance Curriculum (VDC) consists of fourteen VCC "levels" for students and ten TC "stages" for RIs. The fourteen VCC levels are: K3, K4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Completion Certificates and medals are awarded annually to students aged 3 to adult for successful examination performance in each of these levels. Thus by progressive tuition, examination and awards, the dancers will advance annually in technique and artistry as they grow in their respective praise dance ministries and schools.
The ten Teaching Certification stages - each studied over a period of 12-months - are: 1A, 1B 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C and 4. Stage 1A covers the same technique and artistry levels of K3 thru 3, while the remaining stages and levels are evenly matched, so that Stage 1B = Level 4 and Stage 4 = Level 12, etc. Due to the progressive nature of our programs, ALL Degree/TC Candidates, RIs, must begin their studies with us at Stage 1A, before they can advance on to 1B, etc, in successive years. Now here is our FOUR classifications of these stages and their equivalency to universal dance standards (shown in caps):
Competency Stage "1A-C" = BEGINNERS,
Proficiency Stage "2A-C" = INTERMEDIATE,
Mastery Stage “3A-C” = ADVANCED, and
Virtuosity Stage "4" = PROFESSIONAL.
Now here is a table showing all the levels and stages you will perform at - and gain teaching certification at - in all seven of our annual programs; inclusive of the classification stage numbers & names, plus universal standard names.
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YEAR# & Qualifying
Degree |
Performance
Level # (VCC) |
Stage Classification # |
Stage
Classification Name |
Equivalent Universal Standard |
Teaching Certification
nos. (VCC) |
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Yr1, cert |
Levels K3-3 |
Stage 1A |
Competency |
Beginners |
--- |
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Yr2, AA |
Levels 4-5 |
Stages 1B,1C |
... completed |
... completed |
Levels K3-3 |
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Yr3,h-dipl |
Levels 6-7 |
Stages 2A,2B |
Proficiency |
Intermediate |
Levels 4-5 |
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Yr4, BA |
Levels 8-9 |
Stages 2C,3A |
... completed |
... completed |
Levels 6-7 |
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Yr5,MA |
Level 10 |
Stage 3B |
Mastery |
Advanced |
Level 8 |
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Yr6,DMin |
Level 11 |
Stage 3C |
... completed |
... completed |
Level 9 |
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Yr7,DPhil |
Level 12 |
Stage 4 |
Virtuosity |
Professional |
Level 10 |
Subject List & Fees
FULL LIST OF SUBJECTS FOR THE VIRTUE CERTIFICATION
I've said enough so far. Now listen to how our local & international students and parents rate our program and methodology ...
Reviews from students and parents
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• Testimonial:
"When my daughter, (5-year-old Kalei) dances in church in a group presentation or just spontaneously, she draws attention; not only because she worships in her dancing, but she is skilled in her movements. Whatever you are doing, please keep it up." - Joye Simmons |
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• Testimonial:
"VIRTUE's stamp of excellence separates your students from all the others in a group of dancers. They literally outshine everyone else on stage. My Bria (age 7) is regarded as the best dancer in her school. Not surprising because you've trained her since she was 3." - Barbara Taylor |
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• Testimonial:
"All of my life I wanted to be a professional dance teacher and now that the opportunity has come I am going to take full advantage of it. Thank-you so much Dr. Deveaux for making my dreams a reality." - Ayesha Cleare |
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• Testimonial:
"Attending VIRTUE Dance Academy has allowed me to fulfill - as an adult - a childhood dream of studying/learning ballet. However, not only am I learning ballet, I am also learning to teach it - a double dose of pleasure! This program is both exciting and challenging. It keeps me literally and figuratively 'on my toes'. I am always eagerly looking forward to what I will learn next and accurately passing it on to my students." - Shanrese Bain |
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• Testimonial:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times thank you Dr. Deveaux for what you have given to me. I have attended VIRTUE for five years and during that time I have grown spiritually, artistically and physically in the dance, because of your skillful tutoring. It has lead me to teach privately, as well as widely in this island (New Providence) and abroad. May God continue to bless you." - Kendra Arnett
• Testimonial:
"This course (MIN-111) has truly been a blessing to me. I have received a wealth of information to pour back into the ministry in which I serve. I have acquired foundation material for teaching and hosting workshops. I realize that I could never receive all that I have from the “standard” University, School of the Arts, or Dance Academy. Being able to study and relating and applying biblical principles are so rewarding. I have been inspired to go forth in Holy Ghost boldness fulfilling the called that God has on my life. I feel such a freedom and truly believe that the sky is the limit to what I can have as I delight myself in Him. This seminar has confirmed so much that God has revealed to me over the years that it is blowing my mind." - Vickie Caldwell, USA |
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There is a lot of confusion surrounding our field. I want to give you 4 criteria or elements you absolutely, positively must have in order to succeed as a Christian dance minister or professional:
1: Ministry Excellence: Of course this is the largest - and in some cases the only - focus of many dance ministries. We must know the biblical basis for our ministry call and have a solid prayer, word and worship relationship with God in private and collectively with our fellow dance members. However, your ministerial studies need more practical application. You need to learn how to not just attend a dance concert, or seminar, or even regular Sunday service, but to skillfully evaluate, extract, apply and record those nuggets gained from these events, that speak directly to your dance call. You need to know how to critically review a secular dance presentation with the same technique and extract and expunge as is necessary.
2: Ministry is only one concentration of the dancer. Dance is an art, so dancers must develop and refine their technical and artistic capabilities to broaden their theatrical appeal to a wider audience. Remember, the mission field - which must be the central focus of all ministries in these last days - is outside of the Church's four walls. We cannot go before the world half steppin' - pardon the pun.
3: Christian dancers need to also broaden their dance vocabulary and academic knowledge for themselves and for others. Most praise dancers are unable or unwilling to attend classes at a secular dance institution, therefore this training void must be filled by qualified teachers such as our Regional Instructors.
4: In the 21st century the Christian dancer must also wear a business-person's hat. Christian dance can and should be seen as a viable profession, and not merely as a ministry relegated to Sunday services. But dancers need to learn what it takes to get to that professional stage.
Our Degree/Teaching Certification and eSeminar progrgrams cover all of these areas in detail. In fact they are our core focus, and are representative of the FOUR SECRETS to becoming a '21st-century-effective' dance minister. We call them the SON-BEAMS being the standard of dance training involving Christ the "SON" in all the B=Business, E=Educational, A=Artistic and M=Ministerial S=Skills.
You get at least 10 times your money's worth!
Our course contains thousands of hours of research and consultative compiling - a priceless value. But the savings you get in terms of time, money and frustration - plus the economic value of increased opportunities as per your upgraded credentials - are worth far more than the price of our programs.
Nevertheless, I am obligated to inform you of one element of risk involving refund. ALL of our program fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. However, we have lowered the risk for you by creating the VSC option, whereby you study on a subject-by-subject basis if you prefer to get a feel for the program first.
Please review this summary of all you are about to get:
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YOU WILL GET OUR
1) Homestudy course,
2) Instructional resources,
3) Website design & hosting services,
4) Online resources,
5) Access to this proven curriculum,
6) Personal coaching,
7) University accredited degree,
8) Teaching certification,
9) Provisional teaching license,
10) Exclusive funding opportunities. |
Here's how to enroll
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS - Since our programs are open to all Christian dancers from anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection, enrollment is therefore automatic. Students are thus automatically accepted into our program once they complete the coursework for the first module, i.e. MP-001, and thereby demonstrate their ability to understand, follow instructions and write (in English) at an acceptable post-secondary (even high school) standard. (Abbreviation Notice: MP stands for module planner).
HONOURS CLASSIFICATION - Remember, our annual programs are divided into three trimesters, each with 12 modules of study; which totals 36 modules per year. You can study at your own pace, however, for those who want to follow the Honours route, they must study at a more focused pace - usually completing one module of study per week, consecutively. Honours students completing a single year's program within 12 months will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze Honours Classifications, according to whether they graduate with a A, B, or C grade point average, respectively.
FEES - Click the "DTC Fee" at the top of this page for further details. Our annual fees range from $2500 to $2800 per year. However, you will never have to pay a lump sum. Initially you will pay $168 registration fee to start and then $60 tuition fee as you complete each module of work, and finally $80 for graduation process and credentials (inclusive of shipping/handling). You will also pay Resource fees when purchasing our instructional multi-media resources - usually @ $150 including shipping/handling - and you should budget at least $50 per trimester for external resources as well.
PROGRAM PROGRESS FLOWCHART - Following is a flowchart explaining our program progress from start to finish of a single year of study. Naturally, we start with Year 1 studies, so here are the seven action steps you will take - as well as the services you will receive - for your first year of studies in the VCDS program ...
VCDS STUDENT ACTION PROCESS
READY TO REGISTER? ...
Now, Kingdom Dancer, we at VIRTUE Dance Academy are standing by to assist you. If you are ready to catapult your praise dancing call into 21st century effectiveness and success, then take the next step and enlarge your territory, go ahead and enroll now for just the free 7-Day Trial, and follow the steps therein ...
FREE 7-Day Trial - Click here!
To download and print a Word file of this page/catalog, please click here. Note however the the catalog you will be printing was only updated up to Thu/19/Oct/06. (Our apologies, Word file unavailable until catalog updates are completed up to April/2008).
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To your success,
Professor M. T. Deveaux, PhD
P.S. Act now so that you can get started on upgrading your academic and ministry credentials today.
P.P.S. Remember we give you a provisional license to start teaching our technique to your dancers, so that they too can advance up a new level each year, starting today.
Last updated: Sun/30/Mar/08
© 2003-2008 by VIRTUE Dance Academy - All Rights Reserved
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