Q & A

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Q. How should I get started? 

A. Schedule a Free Trial class with us! 

Q. When does the dance year normally start and end?

A. Our Beginner program runs through the school year, and we also run a summer session. New dancers can start at any time if we have openings in the class. 

Q. How many levels are there?

A. There are 6 levels: 

Level 1 - Beginner - A dancer completes our curriculum chart at their own pace and moves through these Beginner levels:

• Little Shamrocks 2-3

• Little Leprechauns 4-5

• Tir Na Nog 6+

• Beginner (prior experience required; final softshoe class)

Level 2 - Advanced Beginner - starts hard shoes! Now in a 1 hr, 15 minue class covering softshoe and hardshoe, At this level we encourage starting to come 2x a week and starting to compete

Level 3 - Novice - a 90-minute class. Dancers are encouraged to take class 2x a week at this level. 

Level 4 - Prizewinner - continues in a 90-minute class. Dancers are encouraged to take class 2x a week at this level. 

Level 5 - Preliminary Championships - Now eligible to compete in the Regional Championships. Dancers are encouraged to take class 3x a week at this level. 

Level 6 - Open Championships - Now permanently qualified for the National Championships, many of these dancers are striving to qualify for the World Championships. Most of these dancers are training around 12 hours a week. 

Q. How does my child move up into different levels?

A. In the Beginner levels, dancers start in the appropriate class for their age (i.e. Shamrocks for 2-3 year olds, Leprechauns for 4-5 year olds...) and they move up when they've completed the curriculum chart at their own pace! 

Q. Can parents stay to watch the class?

A. Yes, we have a wonderful Waiting Room with large viewing windows into the classrooms and everything you need to be comfortable including ample seating, free wifi, a water fountain, and vending machines! Parents are not permitted to enter the classroom while a class is in session, but they are welcome to watch through the viewing window.

Q. Do you give sibling discounts? 

A. We do not offer sibling discounts. We do have a family tuition max which a family would typically reach when their dancers are in the higher levels coming multiple times a week. 

 Q. Will my child have to do performances or recitals?

A. Students are encouraged to get involved in our frequent community performances, but they have the option to choose dates and locations that suit them.  New beginners are never expected to sign up for shows until they feel comfortable and ready with their material and progress.  You will be notified of upcoming performance opportunities via email announcements, and interested dancers will sign up online. We also hold a bi-annual school production and all of our dancers are invited to perform.

Q. Do we have to compete? 

A. No! We recommend trying a 1st feis (pronounced - fesh) at the Intermediate level, so most of our Beginners do not compete as we feel it's important the students develop a simple love for dance first. In the intermediate and advanced levels, many of our dancers choose to stay non-competitive. We are goal-driven and aim to support our dancers in whatever their goals are, which does not have to include competition. Our non-competitive students focus on making performance, social, or fitness-related goals instead and that's great. 

Q. What do I wear to class?

A. Dancers age 2-7 wear ballet shoes with no bows (girls) or jazz shoes (boys). Girls in Beginner class wear the Irish softshoes. We have all these shoes available at our studio for you to try on and get fitted for your size! 

Q. Does my Little Shamrock need to be potty trained?

A. Nope! (Just wear pull-ups or a diaper if not potty trained). If your child uses the bathroom but needs help, then we just request you stay in the lobby during class so you can take them if they need to go. 

Q. I'm an adult interested in taking adult classes.  Do all of these Q&A's apply to me as well?

A. Yes. The adult classes are run in the same way as the classes for children except that the training is intended more for dancers to progress at their individual pace. The adults also have the option to perform and compete and are moved up through the different levels in the same way that the children do.

*Please don't hesitate to contact us with more questions.