What does having a certificate mean to me? Short term/long term?

Nothing really in the rest of the world - unless the school offers further comprehensive training in the form of performances or a teacher's training course. For students who join workshops or weekly classes just for fun, for exercise or just to “show off” their new talents to hubby, friends or family, each level certificate is simply a personal achievement, nothing more.

As you know, certificates can be printed out on any computer and issued randomly. Over the years, some students have come to join my studio as existing performers, yet are unable to execute some basic moves and sometime cannot keep up with the rest of the class ... the result is very disheartening for them and me, and that is not what the art should be … it should encourage and stretch your comfort zones without negative ego, and should grow you as an individual or facilitate new avenues where you can learn more ... even I never stop learning ... I learn from my students, my clients and from others in the industry every day.

Being humble throughout the process of life is essential for everyone! Any teacher that puts students in the public eyes MUST have a training programme for this. It is not easy and carries a responsibility to the rest of the industry as this is where the public learn what the art is about.