2025 - 2026 OCEANSIDE IRISH DANCE
Parksville, BC Location
RECREATIONAL & PERFORMANCE IRISH DANCE CLASSES
Recreational classes are ideal for those who wish to dance for fun, fitness, develop new skills, meet friends and maintain cultural connections. Recreational classes include warm-up, technique, drills, and choreography. Recreational classes have the opportunity to perform at St. Patrick's performances throughout the community and at our Oceanside Parksville Year End Recital (May 20th, 2026).
COMPETITIVE IRISH DANCE CLASSES
McConnell Irish Dance is a registered member of Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN), based in Dublin, Ireland. Students compete in CRN and Open Platform competitions, which take place at the Local, Regional, National, and World Championship levels.
Digital Competitions where dancers submit videos and compete with with dancers from all over the world. Digital competitions are an economic option for dancers to advance through all the Irish dance levels, win medals and prizes, and enjoy competitive Irish dance without the hardships and commitment of travel.
Shayleen McConnell Finucan the first and only fully certified Irish Dance teacher achieving her ODCRN certification in Solo & Ceili Dancing from Cumann Rince Náisiúnta(CRN) in 2020. Shayleen has served on the CRN Executive Committee, CRN North American Nationals Committee, and is Regional Lead for CRN North America West Region.
McConnell Irish Dancers compete at the highest levels of Irish dance and our dancers have won Regional, National, and World Championship titles.
OCEANSIDE IRISH DANCE CLASSES
2025 - 2026 DANCE SEASON
OCTOBER 2025 to MAY 2026
To launch our new location in Parksville, BC we are offering a FREE TRIAL CLASS and flexible monthly enrolment options for all students.
AGES 3 - 4
A fun introduction to Irish Dance with a 30 minute program designed specifically for students 3 - 4 years of age. Dancers develop coordination, social skills, and gain confidence in the studio environment while learning the basic of Irish dance technique.
Wednesday 4:45 -5:15 PM
MONTHLY ENROLMENT (Oct - May): $55.00 / month plus GST
Student enrolment for our Beginner Agues 3 - 4 class is on a monthly basis. Payments are processed at the beginning of each month.
AGES 3 - 4 CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Female - Irish Soft Shoes or Black Ballet Slippers with Ankle Length Poodle Socks.
Male - Black Capezio Jazz Shoes with Black Dress Socks.
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. Running shoes and dress shoes are not permitted for safety reasons. Student's may choose female or male dance shoes, which ever they feel most comfortable wearing.
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 only. Simple studs for dancers who cannot remove earrings. Dance costumes should not be worn to class.
Poodle socks (female) or Black Dress Socks (male) should be worn to class to insure dance shoes do not over-stretch.
BOTTOMS - ANY COLOUR
Tights, leggings, yoga or dance pants, shorts and dance skirts should 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, dresses, and Irish dance costumes (these should be saved for performances). No Hoodies, sweaters, sweatshirts, hats or baseball caps
AGES 5 - 10 (ALL LEVELS)
A fun and energetic class for students ages 5 - 10. The 60 minute class includes warm up, technique, and choreographed routines for performance. Students new to Irish dance learn the Basic Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, or Light Jig and a Céili (group) dance. Dancers develop technique, timing, and gain confidence with the basics of Irish soft shoe and hard shoe.
Once dancers learn the basics in a Beginner class, they move through Irish Dance Levels 1 - 5 of (Bunghrád, Ullmhuchán, Meanghrád, Ardghrád, Craobhghrád). Each level increases in difficulty and students gain skill and learn the necessary technique with the assistance of our CRN certified team of instructors. Dancers progress at their own pace through each dance and level and generally spend 1 - 3 years in each level before advancing. CRN Graded Levels a provide structured learning for recreational, performance, and competitive Irish dance students and motivates Irish dancers to the highest levels.
Wednesday 5:15 - 6:15 PM
MONTHLY ENROLMENT (Oct - May): $70.00 / month plus GST
Student enrolment for our Beginner Agues 5 - 10 class is on a monthly basis. Payments are processed at the beginning of each month.
AGES 11 - 17 (ALL LEVELS)
A fun and energetic class for students ages 11 - 17. The 60 minute class includes warm up, technique, and choreographed routines for performance. Students learn the Basic Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, or Light Jig and a Céili (group) dance. Dancers develop technique, timing, and gain confidence with the basics of Irish soft shoe.
Once dancers learn the basic Beginner dances, they move through Irish Dance Levels 1 - 5 of (Bunghrád, Ullmhuchán, Meanghrád, Ardghrád, Craobhghrád). Each level increases in difficulty and students gain skill and learn the necessary technique with the assistance of our CRN certified team of instructors. Dancers progress at their own pace through each dance and level and generally spend 1 - 3 years in each level before advancing. CRN Graded Levels a provide structured learning for recreational, performance, and competitive Irish dance students and motivates Irish dancers to the highest levels.
Students Ages (7 - 11) perform at St. Patrick's and Recital.
BEGINNER 8 - 12 (60 min)
Wednesday 6:15 - 7:15 PM
MONTHLY ENROLMENT (Oct - May): $70.00 / month plus GST
Student enrolment for our Beginner Agues 11 - 17 class is on a monthly basis. Payments are processed at the beginning of each month.
AGES 5 - 10 / 11 - 17 CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Female - Irish Soft Shoes with Ankle Length Poodle Socks.
Male - Black Capezio Jazz Shoes with Black Dress Socks.
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. Runners and dress shoes are not permitted for safety reasons. Students may choose female or male shoes, whichever they prefer.
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 - 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 - BLACK
Bodysuits, athletic tops, and t-shirts should allow for ease of movement and should not be overly large
NOT APPROPRIATE
Jeans, dress pants, dresses, and Irish dance costumes (these should be saved for performances). No Hoodies, sweaters, sweatshirts, hats or baseball caps
ADULT +18
BEGINNER - INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED
In this fun, 60 min Adult's Only Class, adult students of all ages are welcome for Soft Shoe Irish & Hard Shoe Irish dance. This class is suited for dancers with some no previous Irish dance experience of all fitness levels. This class incorporates fitness with Bunghrád (Level 1), Ullmhúchán (Level 2) and Meanghrád (Level 3) steps with choreography, and Ceilis in addition to figure dances and choreography.
Once dancers learn the basic Beginner dances, they move through Irish Dance Levels 1 - 5 of (Bunghrád, Ullmhuchán, Meanghrád, Ardghrád, Craobhghrád). Each level increases in difficulty and students gain skill and learn the necessary technique with the assistance of our CRN certified team of instructors. Dancers progress at their own pace through each dance and level and generally spend 1 - 3 years in each level before advancing. CRN Graded Levels a provide structured learning for recreational, performance, and competitive Irish dance students and motivates Irish dancers to the highest levels.
Dancers with previous Irish dance experience should contact us before registration to make sure they are placed in the most appropriate class for their level.
Performance is encouraged but optional for all Adult Students.
Wednesday 7:15 - 8:15 pm
MONTHLY ENROLMENT (Oct - May): $70.00 / month plus GST
Student enrolment for our Adult class is on a monthly basis. Payments are processed at the beginning of each month.
ADULT CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Females - Irish Soft Shoes or Black Ballet Slippers. Hard Shoes are required for the Hard Shoe Class.
Males - Black Capezio Jazz Shoes with Black Dress Socks. Hard Shoes are required for the Hard Shoe Class.
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 - 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 - 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
IRISH DANCE TEACHES US
Discipline
Value of hard work
How to set goals
How to achieve goals
How to listen
How to follow & how to lead
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
We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples, today known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, Malahat, Pacheedaht, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke, W̱SÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples, the K’ómoks First Nation, including Sathloot, Sasitla, leeksun, Puledge, Cha’chae, and Tat’poos Peoples, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, Quw’utsun, and Tla’amin First Nations.