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General Division
Students who wish to simply enjoy the basics of Irish dance should consider our General Program. This program is ideal for beginners, those new to Irish dance, and for students who are involved in other activities.
The General Division Season extends from September - May (9 months) with optional summer classes for Folklorama in June and July.
General Division dancers learn both traditional and modern styles of Irish dance. General dancers have the option to take one class per week or attend multiple lessons. Dancers who take more than one class per week generally progress at a much faster rate.
General Division Students perform at our St. Patrick's Fest, Year End Recital, and at Folklorama, providing they have the costume and shoes required for their current level.
Scroll down to view General Division Programs
The General Division Season extends from September - May (9 months) with optional summer classes for Folklorama in June and July.
General Division dancers learn both traditional and modern styles of Irish dance. General dancers have the option to take one class per week or attend multiple lessons. Dancers who take more than one class per week generally progress at a much faster rate.
General Division Students perform at our St. Patrick's Fest, Year End Recital, and at Folklorama, providing they have the costume and shoes required for their current level.
Scroll down to view General Division Programs
Performance Division
Students wishing to progress to higher levels in Irish Dance may consider a more intensive method of study in our Performance Division. Performance Division is open to students from Beginner (2nd year) to Advanced.
Dancers are required to attend multiple classes per week, attend monthly workshops, participate in group fundraising, and purchase additional costumes for performances.
Dancers are required to attend multiple classes per week, attend monthly workshops, participate in group fundraising, and purchase additional costumes for performances.
The Performance Division Season extends from Sept - July (11 months). Performance Division applicants must have completed one full season with our school. Evaluations to determine placement within the Division take place on Tues Sept. 6th and Thurs Sept. 8th, 2011
Performance Division dancers perform at over 60 local shows throughout the season, including St. Patrick's, Year End Recital, and Folklorama. Performance dancers may also be invited to participate in International festivals.
Click Here for More Information on Performance
Click Here for More Information on Performance
One of the longest established Irish Dance Schools
in Canada and the largest school in Manitoba.
in Canada and the largest school in Manitoba.
Our Programs
Performance or General Division?
Our General Program is ideal for dancers who enjoy Irish dance and also want to keep involved in other activities. General Division students are offered ample opportunities to perform throughout the season and at Folklorama.
Our Performance demands a great deal from our dancers and their family members. Dancers must be dedicated and Performance should be their primary focus (aside from school and work). The benefits of Performance are accelerated learning, higher achievements in dance, and opportunities to perform with a world class Irish dance troupe.
If a dancer or parent is uncertain whether they can dedicate the time necessary for Performance,
we recommend you enroll in General Division.
Our General Program is ideal for dancers who enjoy Irish dance and also want to keep involved in other activities. General Division students are offered ample opportunities to perform throughout the season and at Folklorama.
Our Performance demands a great deal from our dancers and their family members. Dancers must be dedicated and Performance should be their primary focus (aside from school and work). The benefits of Performance are accelerated learning, higher achievements in dance, and opportunities to perform with a world class Irish dance troupe.
If a dancer or parent is uncertain whether they can dedicate the time necessary for Performance,
we recommend you enroll in General Division.
General Division Programs
Preschool - 45 minute class for dancers ages 3 - 4
Appropriate for students 2 1/2 if they are capable of participating in the class without an accompanying parent. Our Preschool class is ideal for dancers who maybe too young for a full 1 hour class. Children learn the basic foot work and positions for Irish dance and learn the Beginner Reel. Warm -up, stretching, and technique are included in the program. Students also learn Irish songs and nursery rhymes. Preschool students should be able to participate in class without assistance from their parents.
Beginner - 1 hr class for dancers ages 5 - 6
Beginner students learn the basics of soft-shoe Irish dancing with Beginner Reel and then progress to the Light Jig (3 steps). Warm up, stretching and technique is included in the lesson. Focus is on developing technique and progressing towards hard shoe work.
Novice 1 ½ hr class for dancers ages 7 - 8
Novice Level students continue soft-shoe, learning a slip jig or hop jig and the complete Light Jig (5 steps). Our Novice dancers also learn their first Ceili dance (group dance with figures). Novice dancers begin hard shoe training which extends through one half the lesson. Warm up and technique is included in the class with added focus on the more difficult moves (such as leaps, jumps).
Preliminary - 1 ½ hour class recommended for dancers ages 9 and up
This class is best suited for dancers with previous training in soft-shoe / hard-shoe Irish dancing or dancers with previous training in other styles. Students with no previous dance training should consider registering in our TEEN INTRO CLASS or begin with private lessons in order to catch up to their appropriate age level. Private lessons are available during the summer months in order to prepare dancers for fall registration. Preliminary students progress with more complex soft-shoe styles. Dancers further their hard-shoe technique with 45 minutes of training each class. Students learn dances such as the Beginner Hornpipe, Treble Jig, and Treble Reel. Dancers also learn a Ceili or group dance to develop discipline, precision, and performance skills. Warm up and hard shoe technique training is included in the lesson.
Intermediate 1.5hr class for dancers ages 11 and up
This class is best suited for dancers who are well established in Irish soft-shoe and hard-shoe or who have extensive experience in other similar styles of dance. We recommend students transferring from other Irish dance schools or other styles of dance, schedule a minimum of 6 - 8 private lessons in order for them to learn the basic Irish technique and Intermediate level dances. Private lessons are available during the summer months in order to prepare dancers for fall registration. Students with no previous dance training should consider registering in our TEEN INTRO CLASS. Intermediate Level students focus on developing style and technique required for more advanced levels of Irish dancing. Warm up and technique is included, and students also learn a Ceili or group dance to continue to develop their precision and performance skills.
Teen Intro - 1.5 hour class for dancers age 12 and up
This class is intended for dancers who have little or no previous dance experience. Dancers start with the Beginner Reel and then progress to the Light Jig at their own pace within the class. Warm up, stretching and technique is included in the lesson. Students wishing to progress to hard shoe work should consider enrolment in our Technique Only Basics Class
Open 14 1 hour class for dancers 14 and over
This level is best suited for dancers with a minimum of 5 years Irish dance training who are over 14. Dancers should be well established in Irish soft and hard-shoe. Students focus on developing style and technique required for more advanced levels of Irish dancing. Warm up and technique is included, and dancers also learn a Ceili or group dance to continue to develop their precision and performance skills.
Advanced Senior - 1 hour class for advanced level Irish dancers.
Intended for McConnell School of Dance Advanced Level Dancers who are unable to dedicate the time required for the Performance Division. This class is available for students over 18 only. Performance is optional.
Adult Programs
Adult Introductory - 1 hour class recommended for adults new to Irish dance
Students learn the basics of soft-shoe Irish dancing. Warm up and technique is included in the class with added focus on stretching and improving flexibility and strength in order to prepare for the rigors of Irish dance. Adult Introductory students who wish to learn Irish hard-shoe are encouraged to enroll in our Hard Shoe Technique as hard shoe training is not offered in our Adult Intro Class.
Adult Intermediate - Advanced 1.5 hour class combined Intermediate & Advanced
For dancers who've progressed through our Adult Intro level or dancers with previous experience in other styles of dance who have completed 6 - 8 private lessons. Style and technique will be the focus of this class, with emphasis placed on hard shoe work.
Adult Performance Option
30 min class intended for Adult Intermediate and Advanced students who wish to participate in additional performances during the dance season (in conjunction with Adult Intermediate and Advanced class.) Students who enroll in this class are not expected to commit to all Performance Division shows throughout the season. Adult Performance students will be invited to our monthly workshops with Performance Division and Distant Shores musicians. Solo costumes are not required but are recommended for this level. Students who wish to obtain solo costumes will need to have them approved by McConnell School of Dance prior to purchase.
Adult Level Placement
· Adult Intro students wishing to progress to Adult Intermediate Level should enroll in Hard Shoe Technique.
· Basic hard shoe technique is required for our Adult Intermediate Class.
· 6 - 8 Private lessons are recommended for previously trained dancers returning as Adult students who wish to enroll in our Adult Intermediate or Advanced classes.
· 6 - 8 Private lessons are necessary for adults transferring from other dance disciplines who wish to enroll in our Adult Intermediate or Advanced classes as dancers must have knowledge of Irish dance basics.
Preschool - 45 minute class for dancers ages 3 - 4
Appropriate for students 2 1/2 if they are capable of participating in the class without an accompanying parent. Our Preschool class is ideal for dancers who maybe too young for a full 1 hour class. Children learn the basic foot work and positions for Irish dance and learn the Beginner Reel. Warm -up, stretching, and technique are included in the program. Students also learn Irish songs and nursery rhymes. Preschool students should be able to participate in class without assistance from their parents.
Beginner - 1 hr class for dancers ages 5 - 6
Beginner students learn the basics of soft-shoe Irish dancing with Beginner Reel and then progress to the Light Jig (3 steps). Warm up, stretching and technique is included in the lesson. Focus is on developing technique and progressing towards hard shoe work.
Novice 1 ½ hr class for dancers ages 7 - 8
Novice Level students continue soft-shoe, learning a slip jig or hop jig and the complete Light Jig (5 steps). Our Novice dancers also learn their first Ceili dance (group dance with figures). Novice dancers begin hard shoe training which extends through one half the lesson. Warm up and technique is included in the class with added focus on the more difficult moves (such as leaps, jumps).
Preliminary - 1 ½ hour class recommended for dancers ages 9 and up
This class is best suited for dancers with previous training in soft-shoe / hard-shoe Irish dancing or dancers with previous training in other styles. Students with no previous dance training should consider registering in our TEEN INTRO CLASS or begin with private lessons in order to catch up to their appropriate age level. Private lessons are available during the summer months in order to prepare dancers for fall registration. Preliminary students progress with more complex soft-shoe styles. Dancers further their hard-shoe technique with 45 minutes of training each class. Students learn dances such as the Beginner Hornpipe, Treble Jig, and Treble Reel. Dancers also learn a Ceili or group dance to develop discipline, precision, and performance skills. Warm up and hard shoe technique training is included in the lesson.
Intermediate 1.5hr class for dancers ages 11 and up
This class is best suited for dancers who are well established in Irish soft-shoe and hard-shoe or who have extensive experience in other similar styles of dance. We recommend students transferring from other Irish dance schools or other styles of dance, schedule a minimum of 6 - 8 private lessons in order for them to learn the basic Irish technique and Intermediate level dances. Private lessons are available during the summer months in order to prepare dancers for fall registration. Students with no previous dance training should consider registering in our TEEN INTRO CLASS. Intermediate Level students focus on developing style and technique required for more advanced levels of Irish dancing. Warm up and technique is included, and students also learn a Ceili or group dance to continue to develop their precision and performance skills.
Teen Intro - 1.5 hour class for dancers age 12 and up
This class is intended for dancers who have little or no previous dance experience. Dancers start with the Beginner Reel and then progress to the Light Jig at their own pace within the class. Warm up, stretching and technique is included in the lesson. Students wishing to progress to hard shoe work should consider enrolment in our Technique Only Basics Class
Open 14 1 hour class for dancers 14 and over
This level is best suited for dancers with a minimum of 5 years Irish dance training who are over 14. Dancers should be well established in Irish soft and hard-shoe. Students focus on developing style and technique required for more advanced levels of Irish dancing. Warm up and technique is included, and dancers also learn a Ceili or group dance to continue to develop their precision and performance skills.
Advanced Senior - 1 hour class for advanced level Irish dancers.
Intended for McConnell School of Dance Advanced Level Dancers who are unable to dedicate the time required for the Performance Division. This class is available for students over 18 only. Performance is optional.
Adult Programs
Adult Introductory - 1 hour class recommended for adults new to Irish dance
Students learn the basics of soft-shoe Irish dancing. Warm up and technique is included in the class with added focus on stretching and improving flexibility and strength in order to prepare for the rigors of Irish dance. Adult Introductory students who wish to learn Irish hard-shoe are encouraged to enroll in our Hard Shoe Technique as hard shoe training is not offered in our Adult Intro Class.
Adult Intermediate - Advanced 1.5 hour class combined Intermediate & Advanced
For dancers who've progressed through our Adult Intro level or dancers with previous experience in other styles of dance who have completed 6 - 8 private lessons. Style and technique will be the focus of this class, with emphasis placed on hard shoe work.
Adult Performance Option
30 min class intended for Adult Intermediate and Advanced students who wish to participate in additional performances during the dance season (in conjunction with Adult Intermediate and Advanced class.) Students who enroll in this class are not expected to commit to all Performance Division shows throughout the season. Adult Performance students will be invited to our monthly workshops with Performance Division and Distant Shores musicians. Solo costumes are not required but are recommended for this level. Students who wish to obtain solo costumes will need to have them approved by McConnell School of Dance prior to purchase.
Adult Level Placement
· Adult Intro students wishing to progress to Adult Intermediate Level should enroll in Hard Shoe Technique.
· Basic hard shoe technique is required for our Adult Intermediate Class.
· 6 - 8 Private lessons are recommended for previously trained dancers returning as Adult students who wish to enroll in our Adult Intermediate or Advanced classes.
· 6 - 8 Private lessons are necessary for adults transferring from other dance disciplines who wish to enroll in our Adult Intermediate or Advanced classes as dancers must have knowledge of Irish dance basics.
