Beginner Levels

Intro to Irish - This class is offered to beginner students ages 4-6. Dancers will learn proper foot placement, posture, and musicality in a fun, engaging environment! Students will begin learning two traditional soft shoe dances; Light Jig and Reel.

Dancers should know their right from left, display great listening skills, and have a basic understanding of their Jig and Reel before moving to Beginner 1.

Beginner 1 - This class is offered to beginner students ages 6+. Dancers will focus on proper technique and timing while learning two steps of Light Jig and Reel. Students who choose to compete may be eligible to dance at their "First Feis" in this level!

Dancers should be able to perform their two steps of Light Jig and Reel correctly, without teacher assistance, before moving to Advanced Beginner.

Intermediate Levels

Advanced Beginner - This class is offered to students who can perform their Light Jig and Reel correctly, without teacher assistance. Dancers will learn a 3rd soft shoe dance, Slip Jig, and begin hard shoe! Students will focus on the two traditional speed hard shoe dances Treble Jig and Hornpipe.

Dancers in this level are expected to take class twice per week to adequately learn and perfect their 5 dances. They should be able to perform two steps of Slip Jig, Treble Jig, and Hornpipe correctly, without teacher assistance, before moving to Novice.

Novice - This class is offered to students who know their 5 core dances. Dancers in this level will learn a 3rd hard shoe dance, Traditional Set, and begin working on more advanced Treble Jig and Hornpipe steps. Competitive students will work towards competing at the Mid-America Oireachtas in Traditional Set and/or Ceili!

Dancers in this level are expected to take class 2-3 times per week to adequately learn and perfect their 6 dances. Teacher discretion will determine when they move to Prizewinner.

Advanced Levels

Other Class Offerings

Prizewinner/PC - This class is offered to students who compete most or all of their dances in the Prizewinner or PC levels. Students will have the opportunity to qualify for "solos" at the Mid-America Oireachtas and will start learning a non-traditional set dance.

Dancers in this level are expected to take class 3 times per week to adequately train for major competitions. Teacher discretion will determine when they move to Championship.

Championship - This class is offered to students who compete in the PC or Championship levels. Students will focus on qualifying for major competitions including the Mid-America Oireachtas, the NAIDC, and the World Championships.

Dancers in this level are expected to take class 3 times per week to adequately train for major competitions.

Ceili- Céilí dancing is a traditional group dance that can be done on teams of 4 or 8. Ceili classes are offered in addition to solo class to students who are at or above the Novice level.  Teams typically practice in the fall and may have the opportunity to compete at the Mid-America Oireachtas!

Adult- Adult classes are offered once per week at the Lake Forest Rec Center! CLICK HERE to register. 

One-day Trials- Come try it out! We offer beginner trial classes throughout the year at the Lake Bluff Park District and Lake Forest Rec Center. Contact us for upcoming offerings at ohareirishdance@gmail.com