PERFORMANCE TEAMS

For dancers already enrolled in Recreational or Competitive Classes

2024 - 2025 YEARLY REGISTRATION

When enrolling for the YEARLY REGISTRATION, you are committing for the entire term (September - end of August) and performances including St. Patrick's and Year End Recital and Folklorama.  For those unable to commit to the full 12 Months, please enrol in Recreational or Competitive Programs.

YEARLY REGISTRATION DATES

Sept 9, 2024 - Aug 27, 2025      

Dedicated dancers who love to perform and have great team spirit

McConnell Irish Dance Performance Team was established in 2007 and the group has performed all over the world.  The troupe is a professional group comprised of dancers, musicians, and singers.  The McConnell Irish Dancers perform locally at over 30 charitable and corporate shows each year and have danced all over the world at international festivals.

Performance Division dancers are dedicated, hardworking, and willing to commit to dance above other extracurricular activities.  Dancers must achieve a high standard of Irish dance, exhibit strong performance skills & work as well as a team, in order to perform with the McConnell Irish Dancers. Performance team placement based on dancer’s age, skill level and performance abilities.  The Performance Division season is 12 months and dancers are required to commit to shows for the entire duration of the year (Sept 1 - to commencement of lessons in Sept the following year). Performance Team dancers must be enrolled in at least one Level 1 - 5 class (Recreational or Competitive) for the season with the exception of Senior or Alumni Team members with a minimum of 5 years on the team. Please contact us in advance of registration to confirm team placement.

Performance dancers become part of a family who travel the world to perform & make lifelong friendships.

JUNIOR TEAM: Tuesday 6:30 - 8:00 PM  PERFORMANCE TEAM:  Tuesday 7:00 - 9:30 PM

FULL SEASON PAYMENT: $1425.00 Add GST  12 MONTHLY INSTALMENTS: $125  Add GST

5% Full Season Payment Discount

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Completed at least 1 full year in our Recreational or Competitive classes.
• Must be enrolled in a Level 1 - 5 Class
• Available for all major performances (St. Patricks' Week, St. Patrick's Fest', Recital, Folklorama)

JUNIOR & FULL TEAMS

Dancers will be placed on either the Junior or Advance team, depending on their age, dance level and skill. Dancers must fulfil all admission requirements for their Performance Team.  Dancer's schedules may vary depending on performances and events.  Please contact us in advance of registration to confirm team placement.

Dancers should not miss;

• More than 1 practice per month for a maximum of 6 practices missed per season.
• Any practice two weeks prior to major performances.
• The practice prior to a performance they are taking part in.

LESSON & REHEARSAL ATTIRE

Poodle socks (ladies) or Black Dress Socks (men) should be worn to class to insure dance shoes do not over-stretch.

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 must not be longer than ankle length.

With the exception of Malley School Clothing or Feis-shirts, all dancers should wear plain black tops. Bodysuits, Athletic Tops, and T-shirts are permissible as long as they allow for movement and are not overly large.
 

SHOW & PERFORMANCE ATTIRE

• Malley Sport Performance Team Package (T-Shirt & Skort for females and Skinny Pants for males) and Track Jacket
• Dancers should bring soft shoes, hard shoes, and black trainers to every performance
• Black Dance trainers are required for all Performance Team dancers.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SHOWS

Please remember that while wearing your McConnell Irish

Performance Division members are expected to have a positive attitude and work together as a team. 

With any large group of young people who spend a lot of time together, strong friendships develop between dancers and their extended family.  Dancers thrive and benefit within this family atmosphere and we encourage these relationships whenever possible.  As with all friendships, there are times when misunderstandings, disagreements or relationships change. 

Performance Division allows dancers to spend a great deal of time together and this experience provides them the opportunity for life experiences and life-long friendships.  It is important parents and family members allow dancers to develop these friendships on their own, without affecting the dance environment.

PERFORMANCE TEAM COSTUMES

CLASS COSTUMES

Junior Team - $450 (approximately)

Advanced & Senior Team - $950 (approximately)
Performance Dancers require a well-fitting class costume for the season.  Dancers who’ve out-grown their dress, should order a costume whenever necessary.

FUNDRAISING

Performance Division members are required to participate in group fundraisers and volunteer for school and MSDSA events and activities. 

Performance Division fundraising is organised on a yearly basis and fundraisers may be announced during the season.  
Individual and group fundraising may also be organised for international travel.
Dancers have the option to opt out of fundraising activities for a monetary donation but will not receive travel subsidy.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS

Our performance troupe has been privileged to participate in many CIOFF and International festivals through the years including;

Each festival is unique and hosting members may set criteria such as festival duration, number of performers, traditional or contemporary cultural representation, age of participants, and live music or dance components.   Most CIOFF festivals provide meals and accommodation once participants arrive at the festival and some provide monetary compensation.  Accommodation may vary from hotels, hostels, school or university dormitory, or billeting with host families.  All International festivals have an application process and groups must meet certain requirements and standards before being accepted as participants.  

2007 - Peru
2009 - Costa Rica
2011 - Bulgaria
2012 - Walt Disney World Florida
2013 - Ireland (Limerick & Dublin)
2016 - Peru
2017 - North Carolina, USA
International festivals are an exciting and enriching opportunity for dancers to travel to far locations to share and experience other cultures and make life long friendships. CIOFF is a member of UNESCO which includes 62 Countries, and festivals take places all over the world, including Folklorama.