Irish Dance Class Levels ...

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A Dances            

Ages 3+  No previous training. Emphasis is on creative movement. Here, you will focus on co-ordination of foundation steps that are vital in Irish Dancing. You will be focusing on balance, applying dance moves to the beat of the music, feet co-ordination along with collaboration of beginners steps. 
  
B Dances                                                                      
Ages 7+.  Beginner-intermediate 2-3 years prior training. Basic Irish Dancing steps and creative movement.  One year in A Dances required if 3, 4, or age 5 for beginners. However, if dancers progress at a rapid pace you will be moved up to B dances. Two classes/week recommended.



​C Dances
Ages 9+ Basic Irish Dancing technique with 3-4 years prior training. The C Dances allow the dancer to work on more complex dance steps preparing them for the next level of dance. Emphasis on pointe preparation, high jumps and clicks. .At this stage dancers should be increasing the amount of practice time they put aside each week. All dancers should be able to develop steps at a faster pace and apply them from memory. 



​Pre-Opens 
Ages 11+. Pre-professional Class. 5-6 years prior training. Two-Three classes/week required. Three classes/week recommended. The Pre-Open dances are extremely intense. At this stage of the programme, dancers are challenged with much more complex steps and the pace is advanced. Emphasis on more complex co-ordination, performance, high toes, clicks and the butterfly moves. Dancers will be required to practice much more at home in order to keep up with the steps. It is crucial that dancers practice as many times as possible. 

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Opens
Ages 13 and up.  Intermediate-Advanced Dancer with 7-8 years prior training.  Three-Four classes/week required. The Open dances are at an extremely high standard of dancing. At this stage of the programme, dancers are challenged with much more complex steps and the pace is advanced. However, dancers are now more experienced at this stage and are able to apply everything they have learnt in dancing throughout the years. Emphasis on more complex co-ordination high toes, clicks, back and front rocks and the butterfly moves. Dancers will be able to focus on invention dances and of course applying this to the correct speed of music to fit with their dance step. Dancers will be required to practice much more at home in order to keep up with the steps. It is crucial that dancers practice as many times as possible.





 

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