The Spanish Dance Institute was founded in 1984 by Deanna Blacher with the assistance of Angel Quintela Honorary Consul for Spain in Perth, Western Australia to regulate the teaching of Spanish dance and to guarantee a uniform quality of tuition by all member Spanish dance schools. It is the prime Spanish dance accreditation body, and is fast expanding throughout the world, with the system being taught in Perth and Melbourne in Australia, Milano, Brescia, Tel Aviv and Singapore. Plans are currently underway to introduce the system to students in Los Angeles USA and Manilla in the Philippines.

A structured syllabus has been compiled by Ms. Blacher as a result of many years of international experience as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and educator, aiming at creating a smooth, logical and complete system of Spanish dance training that ensures steady progress along with high standards from all graduates. The principal difference in this system is that it teaches all styles of Spanish dance including Flamenco and all aspects of Spanish dance technique, history and theory. This comprehensive approach results in a more complete, competent and confident dancer and teacher.

The syllabus for each and every level is available on VHS video cassette, and an effort is currently being made to produce handbooks of the syllabus for every level. The handbooks for levels Preparatorio and Primer have been completed and are available. Only students of registered member schools may purchase both the videos and the handbooks, and may do so only for the level they are currently studying, or of previous levels. For more information, please contact Ms. Jo Donnellan through the E-mail provided below.

To ensure that the teaching is of a consistent quality there are also three teaching qualifications, - PROFESOR DE BAILE Menor (to Grade 3), PROFESOR DE BAILE Mayor (to Grade 5) and MAESTRO DE BAILE to advanced level.

The Institute holds formal examinations annually. These are conducted by qualified examiners appointed by the Institute. The Patron of the Institute is Mr. Juanjo Linares of Madrid.