Become The Instructor You Wish You Had
When You Started Dancing.
Learn the systems, teaching philosophy, and methodology that have helped make The Underdog one of Ontario’s leading studios for beginner adult dancers.
Great Dancers Don’t Automatically Become Great Teachers.
At The Underdog, we believe teaching dance is about far more than simply knowing steps.
Great dancers do not automatically become great teachers, and great teachers do not necessarily need to be the strongest dancers. These are two entirely different skill sets, both of which require intentional practice and development.
Exceptional instructors understand movement deeply. They know how to communicate clearly, create safe learning environments, build confidence in others, manage a classroom effectively, and teach with both technical precision and empathy.
Teaching is a craft of its own.
The Underdog Instructor Development Program was built to help bridge the gap between dancing well and teaching well.
This Program Is For:
Dancers looking to deepen their technical understanding and movement execution
Individuals interested in teaching dance professionally or as a side career
Existing instructors who want to strengthen their teaching methodology
Dancers who want to better understand movement mechanics and partnerwork philosophy
Individuals passionate about helping others learn and grow through movement
Meet Your Lead Educator
Led by founder Emily Peat, this program shares the exact systems, teaching frameworks, and methodology that helped build The Underdog Dance Studio into one of Ontario’s leading beginner-focused adult dance studios.
Since founding the studio in 2020, Emily has helped launch multiple dance careers, supported independent studios started by former students and instructors, and taught thousands of adult beginners through systems specifically designed to help people learn safely, confidently, and effectively.
Alongside running The Underdog full-time, Emily continues to actively compete, train internationally, and pursue advanced certifications in judging, instruction, and technical education.
This is the first time these teaching systems are being formally opened to the public.
FOUNDATIONS Instructor CERTIFICATION
16 Weeks | 80 Hours
Learn to Teach:
Intro Salsa (On1)
Beginner Salsa
Intro Bachata
Beginner Bachata
INTERMEDIATE Partnerwork CERTIFICATION
Add-On | 20 Hours
Learn to Teach:
Intermediate Combinations
Technical Progressions
SENSUAL BACHATA CERTIFICATION
Advanced Add-On | 20 Hours
Learn to Teach:
Body Movement & Fluidity
Connection & Movement Mechanics
Communication, Safety & Consent Frameworks
What Graduates Leave With
By the end of the program, participants will leave with:
✓ The ability to confidently teach beginner salsa and bachata classes
✓ A complete curriculum for intro and beginner-level courses
✓ A deep understanding of movement mechanics and technical instruction
✓ Real-world teaching practice and live feedback
✓ The tools to teach professionally, independently, or within an established studio
✓ The confidence to lead safe, engaging, and technically excellent classes
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
Alongside building The Underdog, Emily continues to actively compete, pursue advanced professional certifications, and train under some of the most respected educators in the international Latin dance community.
Highlights include:
🏆 Multiple Professional Competition Titles across Canada and the United States
🏆 First Place Professional Ladies Bachata Solo — Montreal Salsa Convention (2025)
🏆 First Place Professional Ladies Bachata Solo — Canada Salsa Congress (2025)
🏆 Platinum Award Recipient — Waterloo Region Dance Instructor of the Year (2023)
✓ Billy Fajardo International Judging Certification (2025)
✓ CONRI Style Instructor Certification with Cornel & Rithika (Representing Canada)
✓ Tito Ortos & Tamara Livolsi Salsa Certification (2024)
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This certification program was built to help dancers understand not only what to teach, but how to teach effectively.
Participants will receive hands-on training in the systems, methodology, and teaching philosophy that have helped shape The Underdog’s approach to dance education over the last five years.
Over the course of the program, students will develop competency in the following areas:
TEACHING METHODOLOGY & CLASS DESIGN
Learn how exceptional instructors structure classes that create clarity, confidence, and measurable student progress.
Building progressive course structures for multi-week programs
Designing engaging drop-in classes and workshops
Writing clear and effective lesson plans
Structuring intro-level classes for complete beginners
Creating class objectives and measurable learning outcomes
Managing pacing and student progression
Learning how to teach both group classes and private lessons
MOVEMENT MECHANICS & TECHNICAL TRAINING
Develop a deeper understanding of movement so that you can teach with technical accuracy rather than simply demonstrating patterns.
Weight transfer and movement efficiency
Proper execution of the salsa and bachata basic step
Timing, rhythm, musical awareness, and coordination
Understanding body mechanics and movement patterns
Identifying technical errors and correcting movement patterns
Breaking complex movements into teachable components
Developing personal technical consistency as an instructor
PARTNERWORK FRAMEWORKS & PHILOSOPHY
Understand the foundational systems behind safe, effective, and respectful partner dancing.
Lead and follow communication principles
Connection mechanics and frame development
Partnerwork philosophy and teaching frameworks
Safe partnering systems and movement preparation
Communication, consent, and classroom safety expectations
Understanding common partnerwork breakdowns and troubleshooting
Building confidence in students learning social partner dancing for the first time
FOUNDATIONAL SALSA & BACHATA CURRICULUM
Learn the exact syllabus and progression systems used at The Underdog for beginner adult dancers.
Participants will receive full curriculum access for:
Intro Salsa (On1)
Beginner Salsa (On1)
Intro Bachata
Beginner Bachata
Including:
Class-by-class lesson structures
Progressive technical development frameworks
Teaching progressions for beginner adult learners
Core patterns, footwork, turns, and movement vocabulary
Student readiness benchmarks for level advancement
PRIVATE LESSON COACHING & INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION
Learn how to work effectively with individuals, couples, and students with highly individualized learning needs.
Teaching private lessons for individuals and couples
Adapting instruction for different learning styles
Coaching nervous beginners and hesitant students
Providing technical feedback in real time
Teaching wedding couples and social dance beginners
Structuring personalized lesson plans around student goals
Managing student expectations and building confidence
CLASSROOM LEADERSHIP & STUDENT PSYCHOLOGY
Great instructors understand people just as deeply as they understand movement.
Creating safe and welcoming learning environments
Understanding adult learning psychology
Building student confidence through positive coaching
Managing group dynamics and classroom energy
Teaching nervous or overwhelmed beginners
Effective communication and verbal cueing
Building trust and creating inclusive classroom culture
LIVE TEACHING EVALUATION & PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
Participants will be expected to demonstrate competency in real-world teaching environments.
Training includes:
Live teaching practice sessions
Technical movement evaluation
Lesson planning assignments
Mock beginner classes
Real-time coaching and feedback
Teaching evaluations under observation
Practical assessments prior to certification
ADVANCED CERTIFICATION ADD-ONS
Students may choose to continue their education through advanced certification pathways.
INTERMEDIATE SALSA & BACHATA CERTIFICATION
Advanced curriculum progression, intermediate combinations, technical progression systems, and more advanced partnerwork instruction.
SENSUAL BACHATA CERTIFICATION
Body movement mechanics, fluidity training, connection systems, modern bachata methodology, communication frameworks, safety, and consent-based partnerwork instruction.
FOUNDATIONS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
16 Weeks | 80 Hours Total
Participants will complete approximately 5 hours of coursework per week through a combination of independent study, live instruction, practical assignments, and teaching evaluation.
Weekly Commitment
Participants should expect approximately:
1.25 hours/week → Pre-recorded coursework
2 hours/week → Live online instruction
1–2 hours/week → Practice, assignments, and teaching development
Total:
Approximately 5 hours per week for 16 weeks
Limited Enrolment for Fall 2026
The first-ever cohort of The Underdog Instructor Development Program will begin in September 2026 and run through December 2026.
Enrolment for our founding cohort will be intentionally limited to ensure personalized mentorship, hands-on teaching evaluation, and individualized feedback throughout the certification process.
Complete the application below to be considered for early enrolment.