O'Hare School of Irish Dance

Dancers have the opportunity to qualify to compete in Solos once they’ve reached the Prizewinner, PC, and Championship levels.

Teacher discretion determines if a dancer is able to compete in Traditional Set or Ceili.

Teacher discretion determines if a dancer is able to compete in Traditional Set or Ceili.

Dancers will compete 3 steps of soft shoe, 3 steps of hard shoe, and a non-traditional set dance. This is the highest level of competition which automatically qualifies you to compete in solos at the NAIDC (North American Irish Dance Championships) each year.

Dancers will compete 3 steps of one soft shoe dance, 3 steps of one hard shoe dance, and at some feiseanna, a non-traditional set dance (check the syllabus). Dancers must place 1st overall three times to advance to Championship. They may have the opportunity to compete in “Solos” at the Mid-America Oireachtas at this level.

Dancers will compete in all of their soft and hard shoe dances and must place 1st in each of them to advance to PC. They may have the opportunity to compete in “Solos” at the Mid-America Oireachtas at this level.

Dancers will compete all of their soft and hard shoe dances and must place 1st in each of them to advance to Prizewinner. They may have the opportunity to compete in “Ceili” or “Traditional Set” at the Mid-America Oireachtas at this level.

In addition to their 3 soft shoe dances, they will now have the opportunity to compete their hard shoe dances (traditional Treble Jig and Hornpipe). They must place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in each dance to advance to Novice.

Dancers who have already competed in First Feis. They will typically dance the Light Jig, Reel, and Slip Jig. Dancers may stay in this level up to one year before advancing to Beginner 2.

Dancers who are competing for the first time. They will typically dance the “Light Jig” and “Reel”.

Adult classes are offered once per week at the Lake Forest Rec Center! CLICK HERE to register.

Céilí dancing is a traditional group dance that can be done on teams of 4 or 8. Ceili classes are offered in addition to solo class to students who are at or above the Novice level. Teams typically practice in the fall and may have the opportunity to compete at the Mid-America Oireachtas!

This class is offered to students who compete in the PC or Championship levels. Students will focus on qualifying for major competitions including the Mid-America Oireachtas, the NAIDC, and the World Championships.

This class is offered to students who compete most or all of their dances in the Prizewinner or PC levels. Students will have the opportunity to qualify for "solos" at the Mid-America Oireachtas and will start learning a non-traditional set dance.

This class is offered to students who know their 5 core dances. Dancers in this level will learn a 3rd hard shoe dance, Traditional Set, and begin working on more advanced Treble Jig and Hornpipe steps. Competitive students will work towards competing at the Mid-America Oireachtas in Traditional Set and/or Ceili!

This class is offered to students who can perform their Light Jig and Reel correctly, without teacher assistance. Dancers will learn a 3rd soft shoe dance, Slip Jig, and begin hard shoe! Students will focus on the two traditional speed hard shoe dances Treble Jig and Hornpipe.

This class is offered to beginner students ages 6+. Dancers will focus on proper technique and timing while learning two steps of Light Jig and Reel. Students who choose to compete may be eligible to dance at their "First Feis" in this level!

This class is offered to beginner students ages 4-6. Dancers will learn proper foot placement, posture, and musicality in a fun, engaging environment! Students will begin learning two traditional soft shoe dances; Light Jig and Reel.

Come try it out! We offer beginner trial classes throughout the year at the Lake Bluff Park District and Lake Forest Rec Center. Contact us for upcoming offerings at ohareirishdance@gmail.com

Experience the joy of Irish dance. Looking to try something new? Join us for a one-day trial class filled with fun, energy, and passion! A beginner-friendly, no-pressure class with warm and welcoming instructors.