Irish Dance Program
For Continuing Dancers
​The following "grades" mirror the official levels established by the Irish Dance Teachers' Association of North America (IDTANA)operating in tandem with An Coimisiún le Rincà Gaelacha (CLRG) in Dublin, Ireland.
Placement in the following classes is determined by our director based on a dancer's physical ability, level of commitment, attitude, and technical achievement.
Beginner Irish
(Younger & Older)
Continuing Soft Shoe
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This class is for dancers who have graduated out of the Intro Irish class, either during the summer sessions or the regular school year. "Beginner" is the first official grade as established by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) in Dublin, Ireland. Beginners will learn beginner reels, light jigs, single jigs, and slip jigs, focusing on correct technique and timing in their steps and drills.
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Beginner dancers meet once a week for one hour (and will be expected to practice daily at home)
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Required footwear for Beginners: ghillies (may be sized and purchased in Sept. and Oct.)
Intermediate 1
Intermediate Soft Shoe & Early Hard Shoe
Intermediate 1 dancers have mastered all the Beginner-level skills. These second or third-year dancers will learn Advanced Beginner reels, light jigs, single jigs, and slip jigs in soft shoe. This is the level at which dancers get to begin to dance in HARD SHOES! Intermediate 1 will work on Advanced Beginner treble reels, hornpipes, and treble jigs in hard shoe. Intermediate dancers must demonstrate good technique and timing as they drill their hard shoe steps. Daily practice at home is required.
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Intermediate 1 dancers meet once a week:
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1½-hour class
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Required footwear: ghillies & hard shoes.
Intermediate 2
Intermediate Soft Shoe & Intermediate Hard Shoe
Intermediate dancers will continue to learn Advanced Beginner reels, light jigs, single jigs, and slip jigs in soft shoe and Beginner I/II treble reels, hornpipes, and treble jigs in hard shoe. Intermediate dancers must demonstrate good technique and timing as they drill their hard shoe steps. It's common to remain at this level for two or more years. For competitions, they are still considered Beg. II. Daily practice at home is required.
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Intermediate 2 dancers meet once a week:​
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1½-hour class
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Required footwear for Intermediate classes: ghillies and hard shoes.
Novice 1 & 2
Novice-level softshoe
Intermediate or Novice-level hard shoe
Novice dancers learn Novice-level reels, light jigs, single jigs, and slip jigs; Beginner II & Novice treble reels, hornpipes, and treble jigs, and traditional set dances; and transition to slow-speed hard shoe. Novice dancers work to maintain their correct technique and timing while learning more advanced steps. Daily practice at home is required.
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Novice dancers meet twice a week: ​
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1½-hour solo class
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1-hour combo class (Novice 1 & 2 together). Skills and Drills focus.
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Required footwear: ghillies and hard shoes.
Prizewinner
Prizewinner dancers learn Prizewinner-level reels, light jigs, single jigs, slip jigs, and treble reels; slow speed hornpipes and treble jigs; and traditional set dances. Prizewinner dancers work to achieve the strength, stamina, and agility required to advance to the Championship level.
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Prizewinners meet twice each week: ​
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Two 1½-hour classes
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30min combo class (Prizewinner and Champs). Choreography focused.
Champs
Champs usually reach this level by competing at regional feiseanna. They may be eligible to compete at major competitions with the biggest stage being the World Championships. There are two levels of Champs.
PRELIMINARY
Preliminary champions dance three advanced 40-48 bar rounds: one soft shoe round (reel or slip jig), one hard shoe round (hornpipe or treble jig), and one contemporary set dance (either hornpipe or treble jig timing). Prelim dancers work to achieve outstanding technique, timing, stamina, strength, and stage presence.
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OPEN
Open Championship dancers have placed first overall in three preliminary Championship competitions within one calendar year. They have, therefore, achieved outstanding technique, timing, stamina, strength, and stage presence.
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Champs meet twice each week: ​
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Two 1½-hour classes
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30min combo class (Prizewinner and Champs). Choreography focused.