The obvious answer is, why not?!
As well as being a beautiful art form with classical and modern elements, all performed to traditional Irish music and giving dancers a taste of Irish culture, dancing has so many benefits - both physical and personal.
As well as being a beautiful art form with classical and modern elements, all performed to traditional Irish music and giving dancers a taste of Irish culture, dancing has so many benefits - both physical and personal.
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Physical:
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Personal:
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Dancers all progress at their own pace but are challenged at every class to become the best dancer they can be. Classes are structured to allow time for learning and practicing dances, as well as exercises and drills to improve technique.
We recommend dancers practice at home, too - just half an hour a day would be worthwhile initially. Dancers who've recently learnt new steps or sometimes struggle to remember them should run through dances in full, or a step at a time. After that, we recommend practicing small sections focusing on correct technique, as instructed by teachers during class. This might include, but isn't limited to:
- - Arms straight and pulled in
- - Shoulders back
- - Tip toes
- - Crossed legs
- - Turned out feet
- - Straight legs on jumps
- - Pointed feet
Listening to the correct music is also very beneficial - dancers can 'hand dance' or visualise their steps in time with the beat to help with rhythm before moving on to practicing parts of their dance. To ensure your dancer is practicing the correct elements, please have them bring a notebook to class to write down corrections, and encourage them always to ask the teachers if they don't understand the feedback they've been given.
Each month, one dancer from each class will be presented with the 'Dancer of the Month' trophy. This isn't given to the best dancer in class - but to the dancer who has worked their hardest, practiced outside of class, and made the most impressive improvements.
One question we're always asked is "do I need to be Irish?" The answer is not at all! Our classes are open to children and adults of all backgrounds, and even if your family doesn't hail from the Emerald Isle, that's no barrier to success. Irish dancing is now a worldwide phenomenon with dancers from as far afield as South Africa, Norway, Mexico and Russia reaching Championship level and taking the lead in famous touring dance shows.