Medal Presentations and Dance Exams are a traditional way to pass milestones in many forms of dancing. Dance 4 Life is unique because of our social dancing focus, and thus the majority of medal awards are presented as a socially danced demonstration using improvized lead and follow.

How Does the Presentation Work?
The presentation consists of a social dancing demo of 2 or more dance styles. To complete the medal, candidates will lead or follow the steps and techniques of the medal level as per the D4L syllabus.

There are 2 methods to complete a medal:

Social Dance Medal

Social dance medals are for students who want to present their dancing predominantly from a social dancing perspective. The main area of focus is leading and following techniques.

• 1 hour group class format with other student medallists
• Focus on testing social party-style lead and follow
• Demonstrate figures by social dancing with other students
• Receive a social dance medal

Technical Medal

Technical medals are for students who want to also focus on technical details such as footwork, leg actions and body movement that are specific to each dance style.

• Teacher/student format danced and presented with an instructor
• 1-2 minute demonstration (per dance)
• Additional focus on technical detail (footwork, leg actions, body technique)
• Constructive feedback provided by examiner.
• Optionally receive a score grading
• Receive a certificate & medal trophy

Scroll further down for more detail on how each type of medal event runs.

Medals are examined by head instructors RJ & Ali, with the exception of Technical-style medals in Street Latin and the 2 Ballroom genres, which may occasionally be examined by a member of the Australian Dancing Society. Medals can seem intimidating, but at Dance 4 Life, our Medal events are conducted in a very supportive environment with other students, medal candidates and instructors. ​

Why Do a Medal Presentation?

Working towards a medal presentation helps to focus and consolidate your dance learning. Social dancing is a skill, and Dance 4 Life uses a medal-based syllabus to continuously develop good quality social dancing. Just like with any type of dancing, there are many levels that can be achieved. Medal levels and presentations allow you to track your own progress and allows us to recognize students who continue to improve their social dancing ability.
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Is it Compulsory?

Participation isn’t compulsory, but if you’ve been invited, it means we think you’re ready for the medal to formally recognize your progress! Working towards a medal and presenting your dancing is part of the Dance 4 Life learning process. When the mind sets a goal, it normally focuses harder on improvement and details to ensure it achieves that goal! It can be challenging, but also fun and rewarding!
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MEDAL GENRES & LEVELS

• Students can achieve their medals in the 4 main dance genres of Street Latin, Brazilian, Ballroom Latin and Social/Modern Ballroom. 
  
• There are 5 main levels (Crystal, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Star) with additional sublevels in each level.
• More dance styles are required to be presented as students present for higher levels.​

Medal Levels

1. Crystal (2 levels)
2. Bronze (3 levels)
3. Silver (3 levels)
4. Gold (3 levels)
5. Star​

Medal Dances by Genre & Level

Street Latin

• Crystal - Bachata & Salsa​
• Bronze - Bachata, Salsa & Merengue
• Silver - Bachata, Salsa, Merengue & Kizomba
• Gold & Star - Bachata, Salsa, Kizomba, Argentine Tango & Lindy Hop

Brazilian Latin

• Crystal - Bolero & Forro
• Bronze - Bolero, Forro & Samba de Gafieira
• Silver - Bolero, Forro, Samba de Gafieira & Zouk
• Gold & Star - Bolero, Forro, Samba de Gafieira, Zouk & Soltinho

Ballroom Latin

• Crystal - Rumba & Cha Cha Cha
• Bronze - Rumba, Cha Cha Cha & Ballroom Samba
• Silver - Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Ballroom Samba & Jive
• Gold & Star - Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Ballroom Samba, Jive & Paso Doble

Social & Modern Ballroom

• Crystal - Social Foxtrot & Box Waltz
• Bronze - Modern Waltz, English Tango & Quickstep
• Silver - Modern Waltz, English Tango, Quickstep & Slow Foxtrot
• Gold & Star - Modern Waltz, English Tango, Quickstep, Slow Foxtrot & Viennese Waltz

Social Dance Medal Format

The Social Dance Medals are run in a group format, with students dancing with other candidates that are presenting the same medal genre and level. Candidates need to demonstrate that they can perform the given patterns within their level. The focus is communication using leading & following skills (visual signals, timing, frame/posture, weight transfer and physical connection). Partner changes will be called out similarly to group classes. 

Social Dance Medals are suited to students who have participated in group classes with other student peers who are presenting the same medal level.

The following is the general format of a Social Dance Medal session:

1. WARMUP
The warmup is a chance for candidates to warm up.

2. STEP PATTERN CALLOUTS
Step patterns specific to each dance style and level will be called out, and candidate leaders should lead the pattern as soon as practical. Candidate followers must follow what is lead, and will not be penalized for following incorrect patterns. Candidates should continue dancing and repeating the step pattern until directed otherwise. Partners will be asked to rotate, and candidates should again dance the same pattern, unless directed otherwise.

3. MEDAL LEVEL FREESTYLE
Candidates will have a chance to socially lead and follow any of the step patterns of their level. Leaders are in charge of choosing the steps, and followers should follow what is lead.

4. OPEN FREESTYLE (TIME PERMITTING)
Candidates will have a chance to socially lead and follow any of the step patterns of their level, or from previous levels. Leaders are in charge of choosing the steps, and followers should follow what is lead.

Technical Medal Format

The Technical Medals are run in a Teacher/Student format, with students dancing with their instructor. Candidates will dance all the the dances and steps of their medal level consecutively, with 1-2 minutes of demonstration time per dance. There will be 1 or 2 candidates on the floor presenting at a time.

As with the social dance medals, leading & following skills should be demonstrated (visual signals, timing, frame & posture, weight & physical connection). Additional technical details should also be presented such as footwork, leg actions and upper body movement.

Technical medal presentations are more suited towards private lesson students who have refined these details, or group class students who have put in enough practice to refine these techniques beyond the 5 primary leading & following skills.

Technical Medal Format

The Technical Medals are run in a Teacher/Student format, with students dancing with their instructor. Candidates will dance all the the dances and steps of their medal level consecutively, with 1-2 minutes of demonstration time per dance. There will be 1 or 2 candidates on the floor presenting at a time.

As with the social dance medals, leading & following skills should be demonstrated (visual signals, timing, frame & posture, weight & physical connection). Additional technical details should also be presented such as footwork, leg actions and upper body movement. This type of medal is usually more suited towards private lesson students who have refined these details, or group class students who have put in enough practice to refine these techniques beyond the 5 primary leading & following skills.