ADULT IRISH DANCE
It's never too late to start Irish Dance! We offer accessible Irish dance classes for Adult students of all ages and abilities. Whether you're a new beginner with no previous dance experience, had a few lessons as a child, or studied Irish dance for years and would like to get back into it for fun, fitness, and fitness, we have the class for you! Adult students are offered the option for recreational and competitive Irish dance. Our classes are welcoming and encouraging for students of all ages and fitness levels.
When enrolling for the FULL SEASON, you are committing for the entire term (September - June) and performances including St. Patrick's and Year End Recital. For those unable to commit to the full term, please enrol in our Session Based Classes.
FULL SEASON DATES:
Sept 9, 2024 - June 1, 2025
RECREATIONAL CLASSES
ADULT 18+
BEGINNER
In this fun, 60 min Adult's Only Class, adult students of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels are welcome. This class is ideal for beginners with no dance training, student's who may have studied Irish dance in childhood or dancers who some experience in other dance disciplines. Dancers learn the basics with the Bunghrad (Beginner) Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, and Light Jig as well as céili (group dancing). *All Adult dancers are invited to perform at St. Patrick's, Recital, and Folklorama (summer classes). Performance is optional for all Adult dancers.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Friday 7:15 - 8:15 PM
FULL SEASON PAYMENT: $598.50 Add GST 9 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS: $70.00 Add GST
5% Full Season Payment Discount, Multi-Class Discount, and 5% Family Discounts available
ADULT 18+
INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED
In this fun, 75 min Adult's Only Class, adult students of all ages are welcome for both Soft Shoe and Hard Shoe Irish Dance. This class is best suited for dancers with previous Irish dance experience. Dancers work on Ullmhúchán (Level 2) and Meanghrád (Level 3) and Ceilis with figure dances and choreography. This class is suitable for all ages over 18 and and fitness levels. * Adult dancers who wish to compete are strongly encourage to enrol in our Competitive Level 1 - 3 class.
CLASS SCHEDULE: Wednesday 8:15 - 9:30 PM
Hourly discounted rate applies for students who enrol in the Competitive Level 1 - 3 Class
FULL SEASON PAYMENT: $726.75. Add GST 10 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS: $85.00 Add GST
5% Full Season Payment Discount, Multi-Class Discount, and 5% Family Discounts available
ADULT CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Females - Beginner: Irish Soft Shoes or Black Ballet Slippers, Intermediate - Advanced: Irish Soft Shoes and Hard Shoes.
Males - Beginner: Black Capezio Jazz Shoes with Black Dress Socks, Intermediate - Advanced: Irish Soft Shoes and Hard Shoes.
New Irish Dance Shoes may be ordered on-line -CLICK HERE Second Hand Irish Dance Shoes are an economic option for growing dancers. McConnell School Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand shoes and costumes - CLICK HERE
Dancers should have the necessary footwear by the end of the first month of classes. New students may wear socks for the first few weeks of classes.
Dance clothing should allow for non-restrictive movement for safety. Long hair should be tied back at all times. Jewellery should be limited to medical alert. Simple studs for dancers who cannot remove earrings. Dance costumes should not be worn to class.
BOTTOMS - ANY COLOUR
Tights, leggings, yoga or dance pants, shorts and dance skirts must be of an appropriate length and not impede with dancers movement. For safety yoga and dance pants should not be longer than ankle length.
TOPS - ANY COLOUR
Bodysuits, athletic tops, and t-shirts should allow for ease of movement and should not be overly large.
NOT APPROPRIATE
Jeans, dress pants, sweat pants, dresses, and Irish dance costumes (these should be saved for performances). No Hoodies, sweatshirts, hats or baseball caps
Men - McConnell Malley Sport Polo Shirt, Black Dress Pants
Irish Dance costumes are used for several years, until a dancers grows or advances levels and needs to upgrade. New costume orders are placed in January. Second hand costumes are a good, economic option for growing dancers. We have a school Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand Dance Shoes and Costumes - CLICK HERE
Costumes are only required for dancers who wish to perform.
Adult Students are invited to perform at St Patrick's Fest, Recital and Folklorama (optional summer clases)
Performance is optional and dancers require a school costume in order to participate.
Adult who are interested in competitive Irish Dance are invited to compete in our local competition Canada Féile. Graded competitions are offered for dancers over 6 to adult. Canada Féile is a great opportunity for dancers to try competitive Irish dance. Adult dancers who are intersted in competitive Irish dance are strongly encouraged to enrol in our Competitive Level 1 - 3 Class.
Competition is optional and dancers require a school costume in order to compete.
COMPETITIVE CLASSES
BUNGHRÁD
LEVEL 1
In this 90 minute class, students learn the 4 Bunghrád dances (Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Light Jig). The lesson includes warm up, technique, drills, and céilis (group dance) with added focus on the elements necessary for dancers to excel in competitive Irish dance.. Students progress at their own pace and dancers may spend several years mastering the dances, technique in order to have the necessary skills to advance to higher levels.
Competitive Dancers who wish to perform should also enrol in the Recreational 1 - 3 class or Performance Teams.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
LEVEL 1 Sunday 11:00 - 12:30 PM
FULL SEASON PAYMENT: $855.00 Add GST 9 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS: $100.00 Add GST
5% Full Season Payment Discount, Multi-Class Discount, and 5% Family Discounts available
ULLMHUCHÁN - MEANGHRÁD
LEVEL 2 - 3
In this 120 minute class, students learn and master the 5 Ullmhuchán dances (Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe ). 5 Meanghrád (Reel, Slip, Single, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe) and traditional Set dances including St. Patrick's Day, Humours of Bandon, Job of Journeywork, Blackbird, White Blanket, and Garden of Daisys. Dancers progress at their own pace and dancers may spend several years mastering each level. The Level 2 - 3 class includes warm up, technique, soft and hard shoe, and céili (group) dances. This class is suitable for competitive students of all ages. *Dancers who wish to perform should also enrol in the Recreational 2 - 3 class or join our Performance Team.
*Enrolment Requirement: Dancers must be proficient in all 4 Bunghád dances
CLASS SCHEDULE:
LEVEL 2 - 3 Sunday 11:00 - 1:00 PM
Students may chose to enrol in one or both classes. Hourly discounted rate applies for the second class.
FULL SEASON PAYMENT: $1111.50 Add GST 9 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS: $130.00 Add GST
5% Full Season Payment Discount, Multi-Class Discount, and 5% Family Discounts available
ARDGHRÁD - CRAOBHGHRÁD
Level 4 - 5
In this high intensity 2 - 3 hour class, students learn 5 Ardghrád dances (Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Hornpipe ) and contemporary set dances. Within Level 4 and 5 there are increasing degrees of difficulty and dancers require both a high level of skill and athleticism. Dancers achieve the status of Craobhghrad "Champion" Level 5 by winning a championship with 3 adjudicators. Dances who wish to have individual steps and choreography take additional private lessons to have material created specifically for them. Three scheduling options are offered for Level 4 - 5 classes. Students may choose to register for one class or multiple lessons per week. For serious minded competitive dancers, we strongly recommend dancers attend all three weekly classes. Hourly discounts apply for the second and third class enrolment.
*Enrolment Requirement: Dancers must be proficient in all 5 Meanghrád dances
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Monday 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Thursday 6:30 - 9:30 PM, Saturday 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Students may chose to enrol in one or all three classes. Hourly discounted rate applies for the second and third class.
5% Full Season Payment Discount, Multi-Class Discount, and 5% Family Discounts available
COMPETITIVE CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Females - Irish Soft Shoes and Hard Shoes with Ankle Length Poodle Socks.
Males - Boys Reel Shoes (with heels) and Hard Shoes with Black Dress Socks.
Shoes MUST be well fitting for Competitive Irish Dance. New Irish Dance Shoes may be ordered on-line -CLICK HERE Second Hand Irish Dance Shoes are an economic option for growing dancers. McConnell School Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand shoes and costumes - CLICK HERE
Dancers should have the necessary footwear at the commencement of classes.
Dance clothing should allow for non-restrictive movement for safety. Long hair should be tied back at all times. Jewellery should be limited to medical alert. Simple studs for dancers who cannot remove earrings. Dance costumes should not be worn to class.
Poodle socks (girls) or Black Dress Socks (boys) should be worn to class to insure dance shoes do not over-stretch.
BOTTOMS - COLOUR BLACK
Tights, leggings, yoga or dance pants, shorts and dance skirts must be of an appropriate length and not impede with dancers movement. For safety yoga and dance pants should not be longer than ankle length.
TOPS - COLOUR BLACK
Bodysuits, athletic tops, and t-shirts should allow for ease of movement and should not be overly large.
NOT APPROPRIATE
Jeans, dress pants, sweat pants, dresses, and Irish dance costumes (these should be saved for performances. No Hoodies, sweatshirts, hats or baseball caps
Males - McConnell Malley Polo, Prime Vest and Cummerbund with Black Dress Pants
Solo Costumes - Dancers may wear a solo costume when they compete in Meanghrad(at least 2 dances). All solo costumes (new and used) MUST be approved by the school prior to purchase or design.
New Costume Fees
Girls -Malley Sport $195, Prime Dress $550 - $800
Boys - Malley Polo $85, Prime Vest and Cummerbund $300 - $350
Non-perfomring class
All competitive Irish Dancers are invited to compete in our local competition Canada Féile. CRN and Open Platform competitions are held in the USA, Britian, and Ireland and dancers may travel to compete or take part in Digital (virtual) competitions.
BENEFITS OF IRISH DANCE
IRISH DANCE TEACHES US
Discipline
Value of hard work
How to set goals
How to listen
How to win & how to loose
IRISH DANCE MAKES US
Better athletes
Better musicians
Better teammates
More confident
IRISH DANCE GIVES US
Good health and Fitness
Life-long friendships
Determination
Perseverance
