Starting Irish Dancing

Starting

The average age of starting Irish dancing is around about 5+ but more and more beginners are starting as adults and so, there are more adult classes available.

The average price for one dancing class is about £4+ (based in the U.K). The average number of classes per week is about 1 or 2 but could be more, depending on the teacher.

The dance teacher will start off by teaching the basics; hands must stay by their side whist dancing, feet crossed and pointed at all times and then will go on to the teaching of steps. Light dances will be firstly taught to beginners, the steps include firstly: the beginners reel, single jig, light jig and slip jig. These are all important factors to remember if wanting to attend competitions.

 

Competition’s

To attend competition’s it is essential that the dancer has been dancing for about 6 months to ensure that they do well in the competition and practice makes perfect! So practice practice practice! Competition’s are usually held every few months. Competition’s are grouped by age and grade. Beginner dances will dance in Novice group and if 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd place is achieved in one of their dances (as mentioned above) they will move up to the next grade which will be primary. When in primary you will learn more dances such as; the heavy dances (hornpipe and Heavy jig) and even set dances. The next group after primary is intermediate and a 1^st place in each of your primary dances is needed to move to that grade. The highest grade is open which also requires a 1^st place in each of your intermediate dances to move up to this grade. Once in open you can compete in championships and can compete in the Great Britain Championships. Set dances are needed to compete in championships.

 

Costumes and accessories

Image is very important in the Irish dancing world. For Beginner dancers a simple skirt and blouse will be fine or a Irish dance dress could be worn. I recommend a 2^nd hand dress for beginners which can be purchased from competitions or ebay. Hair can be curled and poodle socks should be worn with light shoes (pumps) and heavy shoes. Light shoes cost around £18+ and heavy shoes cost around £30+. Boys can wear a kilt or trousers with shirt and tie is wished. Shoes are a bit different for boys and are a bit like the heavy shoes; with a hard heel but a soft toe.

When moving up grades presentation is everything for the girl dancers. Dresses worn by Intermediate dancers and open/ championship dancers are usually more elaborate and they usually have their dresses made by professionals which can cost around about £200 + depending on the size of the dancer and the detail on the costume. Wigs are also essential to be worn by the girl dancers at competitions and come in a variety of colours and shades so that it matches perfectly with your natural hair colour. They are less hard work than having your natural hair curled and less painful! Wigs cost around £50.

It’s an expensive hobby, but once you get into it, the rewards outweigh the financial part of it.

Written by my girlfriend Becky.

 

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