Irish Dance

Irish Dance                        

Instructors: Rose Fearon, ADCRG  and  Owen Barrington, Assistant                      

Irish danceIrish Dancing is a unique mixture of art, music and dance that together tell the story of Ireland. The most evident characteristic of Irish dancing is the rigidity of the arms and upper body, with all movements coming from the legs and feet. 

 The foundation of all Irish dance is "sevens and threes". As the dancer masters these basic techniques, they will be introduced to new rhythms and more complex steps. The character of these steps varies with the traditional music to which they are performed - the quickness of reels, the lightness of jigs and slipjigs, and the rhythmic measure of hornpipes. 

The first dances a student learns will be performed in soft shoes, but as the dancer develops coordination and timing,they will need a second kind of shoe - hard shoes - filled with fiberglass heels and tips. Now the dancer will learn to make rhythmic sounds using the toe, heel, and ball of the foot.

IMPORTANT: CeltFest Irish Dance Camp is an OPEN WORKSHOP, as declared by An Coimisiún le Rincí  Gaelacha in Ireland on February 8, 2011. This workshop is open to dancers of all schools and regardless of any affilations in place.     Read more

Beginner & Advanced Beginner Program: (Part Time)

Newer dancers may come to a shortened program offered each weekday for an hour and a half.  The focus on this class is to strenthen the dancer's knowledge and basic technique and execution and to instill good habits.

Introduction to the rhythm, music and  basic steps of Irish dance.

Novice to Open Champion Levels Programs: (Full Time)

Drills with focus on correct techniques for Irish Dancing; going over some soft and hard shoe exercises and steps. Some new rhythms for hard shoe, technique in soft and advanced material in all aspects of solo dance. Perfection of traditionial dances and some preparation for show work. 

Teams:

For all levels of dancer, as appropriate, there will be techniques taught for not only Solos, but also for Team Dancing and exploring the world of Ceili Dance!

Additional Bonuses in the CeltFest Dance program:

  • Dancer Wellness, conditioniing & injury prevention
  • Brain Gym techniques to turn on muscles and focus techniques for performance enhancement
  • Irish Ceili, Scottish Ceilidh, and Cape Breton ceilidh and stepdance sessions
  • May incorporate some song and/or celtic knotwork art if time permits
  • Talk on what it is involved in "going pro"

Performance Opportunities for Dancers:

Don't forget the Wacky Jig & Hornpipe Contest !  Get your costume and Jig or Hornpipe together and come on out to the cafeteria and perform!

Each night after the theatre concerts Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, there will be ceilidhs to follow! There is a good chance of spontaneous dance performances (like the one below) and and ceili dancing happening.  Be there!

CeltFest students receive a reduced ticket price on theatre concerts when tickets are ordered 
using their registration form.

 

"I've attended CeltFest several times and have been constantly blown away by the amazing instruction"- Owen Barrington, Adult Men's World Irish Dancing Champion, and former CeltFest student, AK, USA