2026 - 2027 WINNIPEG
COMPETITIVE IRISH DANCE
McConnell Irish Dance is a registered member of Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN), based in Dublin, Ireland. Students have the opportunity to compete in CRN and any Open Platform competitions, which take place at the Local, Regional, National, and World Championship levels.
In Person Events: Local, Regional, National, and World Championship competitions.
Canada Féile and the Canada Open Championship: McConnell Irish Dance host the only Irish dance competition in Manitoba is held in November each season and all student in the school are welcome to participate in the competition.
Digital Competitions: Video-submission events are offered throughout the season through CRN and IIDA (Independent Irish Dance Association). Virtual competitions allow dancers the opportunity to compete globally, win medals, and advance levels without the burden or costs of travel.
Elite Leadership & Proven Success: Our team of Irish dance instructors is led by Shayleen McConnell Finucan (ODCRN), the first and only teacher in Canada to achieve full ODCRN certification in Solo & Céilí Dancing from CRN (2020). Shayleen serves as the Regional Lead for CRN North America West and has served on the CRN Executive and North American Nationals Committees. Shayleen is currently training for the ADCRN -Adjudication certificatition through Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN)
Championship Records: Our dancers compete at the highest levels, earning Regional, National, and World Championship titles.
BENEFITS OF COMPETITION
Goal Setting: Motivates students to set and achieve milestones across 5 progressive levels.
Character Building: Enhances technical skills while developing confidence, discipline, patience, focus, and commitment.
Global Community: Provides opportunities to travel, build lifelong memories, and connect with international dancers.
Team Spirit: Fosters deep camaraderie, mutual support, and valuable life lessons.
GRADED LEVELS 1 - 3
BUNGHRÁD - ULLMHUCHÁN - MEANGHRÁD
In our Competitive Irish Dance program, dancers progress through Levels 1 - 5 of (Bunghrád, Ullmhuchán, Meanghrád, Ardghrád, Craobhghrád). Each level increases in difficulty and students gain skill and learn the necessary technique with the assistance of our CRN certified team of instructors. Dancers progress at their own pace through each dance and level and generally spend 1 - 3 years in each level before advancing. CRN Graded Levels a provide structured learning for competitive Irish dance students and motivates Irish dancers to the highest levels.
Our competitive classes are strictly focused on competition and performance is not included as part of our Competitive Program. Dancers who wish to perform should also enrol in our Recreational Classes or join our Performance Teams.
LEVEL 1 - 3 SOFT SHOE
2026 - 2027 Schedule: Saturday 12:00 - 1:00 PM
This 60-minute class focuses on mastering Irish soft shoe dances across three progressive levels. Dancers receive the highest quality instruction from certified teachers trained exclusively within our school. Students benefit from an exceptional, high teacher-to-student ratio in every session. Levels 1 through 3 are combined to allow dancers to master dances at their own pace within a multi-level group, eliminating disruptive schedule changes as they advance.
Dance Curriculum:
- Bunghrád: Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, and Light Jig.
- Úllmhúchan: Reel, Slip Jig, and Single Jig.
- Meanghrád: Reel, Slip Jig, and Single Jig.
Class Components:
- Technique: Dedicated coaching on core soft shoe mechanics.
- Drills: High-repetition exercises to build strength and precision.
- Céilis: Traditional Irish group dances to build teamwork and coordination.
Progression: Dancers learn at their own individual pace. Mastering these complex skills for competitive advancement often requires several years of dedicated practice.
Tuition Payments:
- 10 Monthly or 1 Full Season Payment (5% Full Season Payment Discount)
- Multi-Class Discounts available for students who enrol in more than 1 class.
- Family Discounts - 2nd Student 10%, 3rd Student
LEVEL 1 - 3 HARD SHOE
2026 - 2027 Schedule: Saturday 1:00 - 2:00 PM
This 60-minute class focuses on mastering Irish hard shoe rhythm, timing and technique across three progressive levels. Dancers receive the highest quality instruction from certified teachers trained exclusively within our school. Students benefit from an exceptional, high teacher-to-student ratio in every session. Levels 1
Dance Curriculum:
- Bunghrád: Basic Hard Shoe Technique and Beginner Hornpipe
- Úllmhúchan: Heavy Jig, Hornpipe, and Treble Reel
- Meanghrád: Heavy Jig, Hornpipe, and Treble Reel
- Technique: Dedicated coaching on rhythm, posture, sound, and technique.
- Drills: High-repetition exercises to build ankle strength, develop technique, and speed.
Tuition Payments:
- 10 Monthly or 1 Full Season Payment (5% Full Season Payment Discount)
- Multi-Class Discounts available for students who enrol in more than 1 class.
- Family Discounts - 2nd Student 10%, 3rd Student
COMPETTIVE BUNGHRÁD, ÚLLMHUCHÁN, MEANGHRÁD CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Option 1 - Irish Soft Shoes and Hard Shoes with Ankle Length Poodle Socks
Option 2 - Capezio Jazz Style Shoes and Hard Shoes with Black Dress Socks
New Irish Dance Shoes may be ordered on-line -CLICK HERE Second Hand Irish Dance Shoes are an economic option for growing dancers. McConnell School Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand shoes and costumes - CLICK HERE
Dancers should have the necessary footwear by the end of the first month of classes. New students may wear socks for the first few weeks of classes.
Dance clothing should allow for non-restrictive movement for safety. Long hair should be tied back at all times. Jewellery should be limited to medical alert. Simple studs for dancers who cannot remove earrings.
Poodle socks or Black Dress Socks should be worn to class to insure dance shoes do not over-stretch.
BOTTOMS - COLOUR BLACK
Tights, leggings, yoga or dance pants, shorts, and dance skirts must be of an appropriate length and not impede with dancers movement. For safety yoga and dance pants should not be longer than ankle length.
TOPS - COLOUR BLACK
Bodysuits, athletic tops, and t-shirts should allow for ease of movement and should not be overly large.
NOT APPROPRIATE
Jeans, dress pants, sweat pants, dresses, and Irish dance costumes (these should be saved for performances. No Hoodies, sweatshirts, hats or baseball caps
Optio 1 (Level 1 - 2) - McConnell Malley Sport Dress. (Level 3) may wear solo costumes.
Option 2 (Level 1 - 2) - McConnell Malley Sport Polo Shirt, Black Dress Pants. (Level 3) may wear solo costumes.
Irish Dance costumes are used for several years, until a dancers grows or advances levels and needs to upgrade. New costume orders are placed in October. Second hand costumes are a good, economic option for growing dancers. We have a school Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand Dance Shoes and Costumes - CLICK HERE
Costume Rentals are available for those who wish to rent for the season rather than purchase.
New Costume Fees
Option 1 -Malley Sport Dress $195
Option 2- Malley Sport Polo $75, Black Dress Pants $30 - $50
Costume Rental Fees Malley Sport Dress $95 Full Season
Performance is not included with Competitive Irish Dance Classes. Dancers who wish to perform should enrol in our Recreational classes or join our Performance Team.
Level 1 - 3 dancers who are interested in competitive Irish Dance are invited to compete in our local competition Canada Féile, CRN Regional, National, and World Championship competitions, and enter Digital competitions where dancers compete virtually with dancers all over the world.
Competition is optional and dancers require a school costume in order to compete.
ARDGHRÁD CRAOBHGHRÁD
LEVEL 4 - 5
2026 - 2027 Schedule: Monday 6:30 - 9:00 PM and/or Thursday 5:30 - 8:00 PM
This 2.5 hour high intensity class includes warm up, technique, drills, solo dances, traditional sets contemporary sets, céili and team dances Ardghrád and Craoghbhrád (Level 4 - 5) perform unique material, choreographed by our instructors. Within these two levels dances increases in difficulty and students gain skill and learn the necessary to compete at the highest levels. Dancers progress at their own pace through each dance and level. Dancers who wish to complete must enrol in the Full Year (12 Months). In addition to the weekly class, Full Year (12 Month) competitive Level 4 - 5 dancers attend competitive Summer and/or Fall Workshops.
Dance Curriculum:
- Ardghrád: Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Honrpipe, Traditional Sets, Contemporary Sets, Treble Reels
- Craobhghrád: Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Heavy Jig, Honrpipe, Traditional Sets, Contemporary Sets, Treble Reels
Class Components:
- Technique: Dedicated coaching on core soft shoe mechanics.
- Drills: High-repetition exercises to build strength and precision.
- Céilis: Traditional Irish group dances to build teamwork and coordination.
Progression: Dancers learn at their own individual pace. Mastering these complex skills for competitive advancement often requires several years of dedicated practice.
Tuition Payments:
- 12 Monthly or 1 Full Season Payment (5% Full Season Payment Discount)
- Multi-Class Discounts available for students who enrol in more than 1 class.
- Family Discounts -
COMPETTIVE ARDGHRÁD CRAOBHGHRÁD CLASS INFORMATION
Please click on the tabs below for more information
Option 1 - Irish Soft Shoes and Hard Shoes with Ankle Length Poodle Socks.
Option 2 - Hullachan or Capezio Shoes with hard heels and Black Dress Socks.
New Irish Dance Shoes may be ordered on-line -CLICK HERE Second Hand Irish Dance Shoes are an economic option for growing dancers. McConnell School Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand shoes and costumes - CLICK HERE
Dancers should have the necessary footwear by the end of the first month of classes. New students may wear socks for the first few weeks of classes.
Dance clothing should allow for non-restrictive movement for safety. Long hair should be tied back at all times. Jewellery should be limited to medical alert. Simple studs for dancers who cannot remove earrings. Dance costumes should not be worn to class.
Poodle socks (girls) or Black Dress Socks (boys) should be worn to class to insure dance shoes do not over-stretch.
BOTTOMS - COLOUR BLACK
Tights, leggings, yoga or dance pants, shorts and dance skirts must be of an appropriate length and not impede with dancers movement. For safety yoga and dance pants should not be longer than ankle length.
TOPS - COLOUR BLACK
Bodysuits, athletic tops, and t-shirts should allow for ease of movement and should not be overly large.
NOT APPROPRIATE
Jeans, dress pants, sweat pants, dresses, and Irish dance costumes (these should be saved for performances. No Hoodies, sweatshirts, hats or baseball caps
Option 1 - Ardghrád and Craobhghrád dancers wear solo costumes for competition.
Option 2 - Ardghrád and Craobhghrád dancers wear solo costumes for competition
Irish Dance costumes are used for several years, until a dancers grows or advances levels and needs to upgrade. New costume orders are placed in January. Second hand costumes are a good, economic option for growing dancers. We have a school Facebook group dedicated to Buy and Sell for Second Hand Dance Shoes and Costumes - CLICK HERE
Performance is not included with Competitive Irish Dance Classes. Dancers who wish to perform should enrol in our Recreational classes or join our Performance Team.
Level 4 - 5dancers who are interested in competitive Irish Dance are invited to compete in our local competition Canada Féile, CRN Regional, National, and World Championship competitions, and enter Digital competitions where dancers compete virtually with dancers all over the world.
Competition is optional and dancers may enrol in our compettive classes for fun and enjoyment.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Not ready to join a class yet?
Looking for individual time with an instructor for accelerated learning?
Private lessons are a great option for dancers who wish to work one-on-one with an instructor.
New students are encouraged to enrol in private lessons to work one-on-one with an instructor before transferring to our group lessons.
30 Minutes - $35
60 Minutes - $70
Discounted rates apply for students who wish to enrol in multiple or regular private lessons.
Please contact us to schedule private lessons at admin@mcconnelldancers.com
CUMANN RINCE NÁISIÚNTA
CRN was established in 1982 in Dublin, Ireland by the late Ita Cadwell. CRN is the only organisation whose competitions successfully operate with the Open Platform, where any dancer from any teacher, from any part of the world or any organisation can compete.
CRN believes in honesty, justice and fairness in competitions. CRN’s motto is: “Do not do to others what you would not like done to you”. CRN’s founder Ita Cadwell used the following phrase: “The honest road is the right and just road to take, but it is also a very hard and difficult road to take.
CRN is widely known as a traditional dance organisation and it has successfully maintained the integrity of traditional dances, while actively encouraging the development of new and innovative work. Great thought was put into considering the developmental levels of students and their capacity to execute work in solo dances.
Five (5) grades/levels of dance were established. In an ongoing effort to honour tradition and continually protect the developmental process of dancers a grading system is in operation in all 5 levels and grades. This system ensures that appropriate technique is being taught at each level.
CRN is committed to protecting the integrity and purity of the Irish Dance tradition. CRN is very proud of the standard of dance education among its members. This standard was achieved through establishing a compulsory and rigorous teacher-training course and requires two to three years of supervised training in Ireland CRN Adjudicators must complete an additional two years of supervised study, taught by recognised trainers with Cumann Rince Náisiúnta. Additionally, the Instructor Examining Panel are also required to pursue continuing education.
For more information on CRN, please visit their website
CRN http://www.crn.ie
Find them on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CRNCumannRinceNaisiunta
