Dancers 3 and up are welcome to register in a Beginner class.

To request a copy of the current fee schedule for Calgary or Okotoks, please contact us.

The Possak Hampshire class uniform consists of the following: 

1. BLACK athletic shorts, skort or leggings (no denim fabric please)

2. Possak Hampshire t-shirt or tank top

3. WHITE socks (“poodle” socks are preferable)

4. Dance shoes

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.

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. Please refer to the Commission Grade Exam Syllabus for additional details.

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. Dancers competing at the championship level are provided with training programs and goal coaching and encouraged to participate in additional work with an athletic therapist or personal trainer.