Rince na Grá School of Irish Dance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For Continuing Irish Dancers...

Give Irish Dance a Try for Ages 6-16 and Adult

Music, Movement and Dance for Ages 3, 4 & 5

If you are a new to Irish dance or are hoping to dust off yoru shoes come join this focused, yet relaxed dance class to teach the basic of Irish dance.

The Twinkle program combines dance, singing, and games to help dancers internalize a "steady beat," and respond appropriately to the music. As they get older, that music will burst out in beautiful dance! Basic ballet & Irish dance positions, steps, and vocabulary are introduced in fun ways.

The Twinkle program combines dance, singing, and games to help dancers internalize a "steady beat," and respond appropriately to the music. As they get older, that music will burst out in beautiful dance! Basic ballet & Irish dance positions, steps, and vocabulary are introduced in fun ways.

Learn the basics of Irish Dance with this One-hour weekly class throughout the regular dance season. Intro 6-7yos dancers will be in the Prep Show in May.

Learn the basics of Irish Dance with this One-hour weekly class throughout the regular dance season. Intro 8-16yos dancers will be in the Prep Show in May.

Songs, movement, stories, and games for 3-year-olds. Twinkle Babies practice their class rules: Look at the teacher. Listen to the teacher. And love each other. Though Twinkle Babies are not in the end-of-year Prep Show, they WILL have a special class show at the end of each session--complete with a cute tutu!