FAQs

Where are you located, and is there parking? We are located at 181 Hamilton Ave. St. John's NL. Parking around the rear.
What are your hours? Summer hours are from 10 am to 4 pm daily with weekly concerts.
Can I join Language, Dance or Music programs if I am just a beginner? YES. We offer beginner to advanced levels of all tuition, language, dance, music and sound engineering.
Do you charge for a consultation? No, all students must register in advance. Day classes are also available
Can I do a day/ a week/ or month long course or do I have to register for the entire sememster? There are day classes available where students learn some conversational Irish and the basics of Irish Dancing.
Can Visitors and Tourists join? YES we offer a program for active tourists and visitors who want to take a piece of our culture home with them.

Class Sizes

Generally class sizes are small. The under 13 age group numbers remain anywhere from 4-15 pupils. It's preferable to keep class sizes to a

manageable level, in order to pay more individual attention who will learn better in this group environment. More than 15 diminishes the individual

attention each person receives. We strive to strike a balance between individual instruction and group learning in order to help the dancer achieve their full potential.

Children's Beginner Dance Classes

At this stage students master the basic movements required. We focus on body posture and work heavily on feet positions and rhythm. Rhythm

is the key to Irish Dancing and learning to find the rhythm and count the bars of music is crucial to any dancer. Basic skills such as balance, coordination,

memory, concentration, endurance and strength are achieved through a warm up routine that helps your prepare your muscles for dancing, emphasize flexibility

and helps prevent injuries.

In children's classes, we incorporate a game which utilizes the basic 1-2-3 and leaping movements. It's fun and gives children the opportunity to practice at

a competitive level.

Intermediate Classes

More advanced students are encouraged to do their own warm up before class. In addition to the soft shoe dances which are now danced as a warm up,

we introduce more difficult steps and new rhythms. As dancers become more experienced, they require more individual attention. They are introduced to the basic

dances required to compete at the beginners level.

Adult Bginners Classes

Whether you want to dance to stay fit, to become a professional dancer or for the sheer enjoyment of it Irish dancing is a great work out and a lot of fun...

that's not to say there's no work involved. Irish dancing is no different than any other "elite sport" which requires major aerobic endurance, physical strength, and pure focus and concentration.
Adult classes remain small so that each individual can receive personal attention. We begin learning the basic movements and body posture. Beginners learn to dance the easy reel, light jig

and slip jig. First we will walk through the movements and then apply them to music. In no time, you'll be dancing the basics.

Adult Intermediate/Advanced Classes

Dancers may not learn a new step each week, but rest assured, that they are learning constantly. Technique, style, discipline concentration and focus are very important aspects of dancing.

"Step happy" teachers often ignore the finer points of dancing and technique is probably one of the most important aspects.
Adults at the intermediate/advanced level have a solid understanding of all of the soft shoe dances are able to perform them, and are familiar with a hard shoe piece.

Hard shoe dancing adds a whole new element to the art of Irish dance, adding precussion to the technique. Irish dancing becomes increasingly complex and the student is expected

to practice in order to keep up each week. As students progress, more class time can be scheduled to meet the needs of the dancer.

Practicing and Attendance

All students need to practice. A student who practices for at least 30 minutes a day is obviously committed and will undoubtedly become a much better dancer.

Realistically students need to practice their new steps within a day of their class in order to remember them correctly.

Regular attendance and practice are very important. A truly great dancer who is missing classes regularly, will soon fall behind and may lose interest.

In practice and performance a successful dancer is a reliable dancer.

1) Dancers have to be prepared for class:

* Arrive early
* Shoes in double knots
* Water
* Shorts or dance togs, t-shirt, soft and hard shoes (no jeans permitted)
* Hair ties back and out of the face
* Practice steps at home
* cell phones off

2) Dancers must have positive attitude:

* Treat each other with respect
* Use class time to practice and learn
* Mind your teacher

3) Dancers must attend regularly:

* Please notify the instructor of any absences.

In addition, dancers are not permitted to run around or be disruptive in class. Dancers are to refrain from chatting to one another while the instructor is teaching.

They are expected to help one another with steps, and are expected to respect and listen to the teacher in charge..

Dancers will be corrected at all times for poor behaviour.

Parents are not permitted to wait while their child is dancing, unless it has been coordinated with the instructor.

There is usually an opportunity for parents to watch how a class is progressing during a term.

- Are there any former clients I can contact about your services? Please see our list of testimonials or read about us as www.idance.ca/media

Have a question for us? Use the form below, and we'll post the answer right here on this page.