Dancers 4 and up are welcome to register in a Beginner class. Beginner classes are open to new registrations year round.

To request a copy of the current fee schedule, please contact us directly. 

Girls should wear athletic shorts or a skort. Boys may wear shorts or athletic pants. BLACK shorts, skorts, and pants are preferred. Absolutely no demin please.

Girls and boys should wear a t-shirt or full coverage sleeveless tank. Please avoid cropped tanks/tops. Possak Hampshire teamwear is preferred for tops.

Girls should wear WHITE socks (“poodle” socks are preferable). Boys should wear BLACK socks. No patterns or colours on socks please.

New dancers may wear a pair of soft-soled jazz or ballet slippers or start in their socks. Dancers are permitted to wear sweatpants and jackets for warm-up and cool-down. Dancers are also asked to tie back long hair and bring a water bottle labeled with their name. Team athletic gear is available for purchase upon registration; please contact us for details.

Dancers start in “softshoes” (a soft-soled shoe similar to a ballet slipper), then later move into “hardshoes,” which are equipped with fibreglass taps and heels. Used shoes are available for purchase at each studio location and new shoes are available locally through Steele Celtic Dancewear and Brogs Irish Dancewear.

We highly recommend the Feis App, available for iPhone and Android devices. It’s also free for beginners!

A “feis” is a local Irish dance competition. We have many feiseanna offered during the competitive season in Calgary and Edmonton, as well as in our neighbouring provinces. The “Oireachtas” is the Western Canadian Championships, held annually in November. This event also serves as a qualifier for the North American and World Irish Dance Championships.

“TCRG” stands for “Teastus Coimisium le Rinci Gaelacha” which translates to “Commission Irish Dancing Teacher.” A teacher who has passed their examinations with the Irish Dancing Commission is a certified teacher and his or her students are eligible to compete in local, regional, national and international competitions. An ADCRG is a registered adjudicator with the Irish Dancing Commission, and is eligible to judge competitions worldwide.

All of our dancers have regular opportunities to complete competency grade examinations set by the Irish Dancing Commission (CLRG). Certified grade examiners conduct examinations locally several times each year, and each of the 12 grade levels must be passed and a CLRG Grade Level Certificate awarded before a dance student may attempt the next level. A dancer who successfully completes all 12 grades is awarded the Diploma of the Irish Dancing Commission which enables a student to pursue a career in Irish dance as a certified teacher or adjudicator.

Practice and training time is based on a dancer’s competitive level. As a dancer progresses through the ranks, more time is required outside of regular classes to build the strength and endurance to master the more complex movements. Parents are provided with regular updates on what we’re learning in class and what dancers can work on at home. Dancers at the Intermediate level and up are encouraged to have a small dedicated practice space in their home. Championship dancers are provided with training programs and goal coaching.

Injuries aren’t uncommon among young athletes experiencing growth spurts. We encourage dancers navigating an injury to work closely with a trusted physiotherapist or athletic therapist, and to keep in touch with their teachers on their progress. In all cases, optimal recovery and wellbeing is paramount, and dancers will be fully supported by the teaching staff.