30 September 2026
Professional performer and ISTD graduate Niki Tsonopoulou has experienced this first-hand. Her ISTD journey began in Greece at around five years old, taking her first Primary examination. She later studied at Morea Performing Arts in the UK, achieving Advanced 2 examinations in Modern Theatre and Imperial Classical Ballet, completing DDE qualifications in both genres, and contributing to the ISTD Contemporary syllabus demonstration videos. Since graduating, Niki has toured with Eliot Smith Dance, performed on cruise ships with Carnival Cruise Lines, including as part of the inaugural cast of Carnival Jubilee, and currently performs as a circus artist in the UK tour of Barnum: The Circus Musical.
Reflecting on her journey, Niki shares how the skills developed through ISTD examinations have supported her success as both a performer and qualified teacher.
Musical awareness and education
According to Niki, musical awareness is one of the most valuable skills developed through dance training and examinations.
"Learning from a young age about rhythm and how to recognise and count a piece of music, having musicality, and being exposed to many different genres of music, makes you a more creative and versatile performer."
Through ISTD exams and medal tests, dancers develop a deeper understanding of music, rhythm and performance quality, helping them become adaptable artists.
Discipline and commitment
Preparing for examinations requires dedication and consistent practice.
"Behaving in a respectful way in class, learning the ISTD syllabus and practising the exercises for months, even years in some cases, requires a good level of discipline."
Setting goals and working towards an examination helps students develop focus, perseverance and a strong work ethic that can benefit them inside and outside the dance studio.
Developing versatility
Today's dance industry increasingly demands performers who can work across multiple styles and disciplines.
"It is very rare for a production to require only one style of dance, so dancers today need to be multi-skilled."
Niki credits ISTD training with helping her develop an openness to new movement styles and experiences. That willingness to step outside her comfort zone eventually led her to explore aerial work and acrobatics, ultimately helping her secure her current role in Barnum: The Circus Musical.
Precision of movement
Examinations encourage dancers to focus on technical accuracy and attention to detail.
"Whether you are the dance captain, a swing, or an ensemble member, being precise with your movement is expected of you, and ISTD helps a lot with the way steps are taught and progressed throughout the syllabus."
Building these habits early creates strong technical foundations that support future progression.
Confidence in learning new skills
One of the key benefits of following a structured syllabus is learning how to break down and master new challenges.
"Having the ability to break down slowly the movement you are trying to achieve and analysing it to understand it better makes you progress much faster."
This approach gives dancers the confidence to tackle unfamiliar choreography, techniques and performance opportunities throughout their careers.
Dance terminology and vocabulary
A strong understanding of dance terminology helps students communicate effectively and learn more efficiently.
"Knowing the terminology and dance vocabulary makes it so much easier to remember the choreography, be precise, express yourself and spot the differences in movements."
The knowledge gained through examinations provides a valuable foundation for future training and professional work.
Learning choreography quickly
For Niki, one of the most challenging aspects of examinations became one of the most useful.
"Having an examiner you don't know create an exercise for you to do on the spot without demonstrating was the biggest challenge of the ISTD exams. However, that massively improves a dancer's pick-up skills."
These skills are invaluable during auditions, rehearsals and professional performance contracts where learning quickly is essential.
Storytelling through dance
Technical ability alone is not enough to create memorable performances.
"You need to be able to tell a story, and learning to do that from a young age with all the different dances at the end of each examination helps cultivate that skill."
Performance elements within ISTD examinations encourage dancers to develop artistry, expression and stage presence from an early age.
Safe dance practice
The importance of dancer wellbeing is another lesson that stays with students long after their examinations.
"In order to have a long-lasting career, it is crucial to warm up and cool down, and ISTD emphasises that from the perspective of both a student and a teacher."
Creating healthy dance habits helps students enjoy dance safely while supporting longevity in training and performance.
More than an examination
Niki's experience demonstrates that ISTD examinations and medal tests are about much more than earning certificates. They help dancers develop musicality, discipline, confidence, technical precision, performance skills and resilience; qualities that can support success in dance and beyond. As Niki's journey shows, the lessons learned through examinations can continue to benefit dancers throughout their training, teaching careers and professional performance opportunities.
