Evolution or revolution? The world is a stage for adult Irish dancers

Adult Irish Dancer
Photo: Flickr/Andreas Schepers

When the dance masters traveled through Ireland in the 1700s and 1800s, they taught mainly adults and very few children. What a contrast that is to today, when the majority of instructional Irish dance dollars are spent on children and teens. Even with the flux in ages of dancers, it is increasingly clear that anyone who wishes to dance may do so.

Twelve years of age may seem late to begin dancing by modern standards, but Phil Cahill is quoted as saying that when he began dancing in the early 1900s, “There were no children dancing like there are nowadays”. It is interesting to note that, according to Cahill, there were plenty of boys and men interested in dancing. Few girls competed, and they were only adult women who participated in figure dancing.*

When you walk into a modern Irish dance studio, the overwhelming majority of students are female children and young adults. The occasional boy is seen clicking his heels and many Irish dance studios now teach adult classes.  

The Blackbirds adult Irish dance group
at the College of Wooster in Ohio
Photo courtesy The Blackbirds

You may wonder why you should even care whether adults danced in the past. The answer is simple:  we can learn how to bring about positive change in the future by examining the past.

Adult Irish dancing has seen an increase in the past few decades, as have all things Irish dancing since Riverdance The Show. With the increased connectivity of the internet, more Irish dancing adults are supporting each other in their goals whether for competition, performance, or the sheer fun of it. Young champions are continuing to dance into their adult years, some dancers are returning to the now adult-favorable atmosphere and new adult beginners are trickling in.

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After one hundred years, the demographics in Irish dance have shifted from mostly adults to an overwhelming flux of young dancers.  This switch happened naturally and can easily swing in both directions. One can only hope that the door will continue to swing wide and allow dancers of all ages opportunities to express themselves.

William Lee
O'Rourke Irish Dancers, New York
Photo S.J. Velasquez for Feis America LLC

Where will the adult Irish dancer's journey take him? What possibilities will arise for adults as they brainstorm and find new outlets for their love of dancing?

If the world is a stage, adults don’t have to be in the audience. Having a few more birthdays won’t hold them back from pursuing what they are passionate about.  The question is not simply what can an adult Irish dancer do, but what can she can become?

*Cullinane, Dr. John P. Aspects of the History of Irish Dancing. Ireland: Published by the author, 1987, p. 44.

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Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please visit www.christydorrity.com. 

Like us on Facebook, comment in the box below, Tweet this post to your friends or follow us here on Irish Central's Irish dance page!  Feis America LLC is the world's most respected media feed for Irish dance and has been selected by the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America to provide live commentary and results at the 2012 North American National Irish Dancing Championships!

Irish dance competitions for adult Irish dancers in June

Adult Irish dancers at a workshop in Munich Photo: courtesy Shane McAvinchey Many feiseanna (Irish dance competitions) offer competitions for adult Irish dancers. Here's a quick glance at feiseanna that welcome adult Irish dancers in June. Plan on supporting a feis in your area that includes adult Irish dancers and keep an eye out for those feiseanna who are offering slow speed dances for adults.  Source: www.feisworx.com  Key: FF-first feis B-beginner, N-novice, PW-prize winner, O-open championship Detroit International Feis 2012 Detroit, MI - Jun 1, 2012 to Jun 2, 2012 B1/B2, N/PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  4,6,8 hand  specials: parent child figure

Grand Canyon State Feis 2012 Scottsdale, AZ - Jun 2, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Grand Canyon State Feis Committee FF, B1, B2, N, PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  2,3,4,6,8 hand  specials: traditional hornpipe special, family 2 hand

Oregon State Championship Feis 2012 Portland, OR - Jun 2, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Yeates Academy B, N, PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  2,3,4,6,8 hand  specials:

Houston Academy Feis 2012 Calgary, AB - Jun 8, 2012 to Jun 10, 2012 Calgary Irish Music and Dance Association B, N, PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  2,3,4,6,8, progressive specials: treble reel special

Pikes Peak Feis 2012 Monument, CO - Jun 8, 2012 to Jun 9, 2012 Celtic Steps B, N, PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, slow and traditional speeds traditional set  2 hand jig, 3 hand reel, 6 hand reel specials: Ceili championship: a team of 8 dancers presents a four hand and an 8 hand dance

Beautiful British Columbia Feis 2012 Surrey, BC - Jun 16, 2012 to Jun 17, 2012 Tara Rince Society B, N, PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  2,3,4,6,8, progressive

Ozark Mountains Feis 2012 Branson, MO - Jun 17, 2012 McCafferty School of Irish Dance B1/B2, N/PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  2,3,4,8 hand  specials: family figure

Twin Cities Feile 2012 St. Paul, MN - Jun 23, 2012 Shamrock School of Irish Dance B1/B2, N/PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  8 hand  specials: parent/child figure

Utah State Feis 2012 Sandy, UT - Jun 23, 2012 Scariff-Hardiman School of Irish Dance B, N, PW 4 soft shoe 2 hard shoe, traditional speeds traditional set  8 hand  specials: treble reel If you have a photo of your adult class practicing or performing that you would like to see featured, please email me. Like us on Facebook, comment in the box below, Tweet this post to your friends or follow us here on Irish Central's Irish dance page!  Feis America LLC is the world's most respected media feed for Irish dance and has been selected by the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America to provide live commentary and results at the 2012 North American National Irish Dancing Championships!

Hopping Mad Irish dance school for adults in the United Kingdom

Hopping Mad adult Irish dancers from the UK
Photo: courtesy of Aine McGovern

Hopping Mad Scoil Rince na hÉireann in Brighton, United Kingdom is a group of all adult Irish dancers that started in 2010.  The Hopping Mad dancers vary in age and ability level, but they all share a love of Irish dancing. 

When Aine McGovern felt out of place in the class she previously participated in, she founded her own group of adult-only Irish dancers, and encouraged the other adults she knew to join. McGovern knew that she could continue to do something she loves as an adult. She says, "I can still move and have tidy feet and good rhythm, so why should I not do something I love?"    

The group participates in competitions, as well as performances. Wedding and private parties as well as Irish pubs are just a few of the places the ladies have performed.  Recently the Hopping Mad dancers participated in the Brighton Fringe Festival. 

Hopping Mad adult Irish dancers show off their hardware
Photo: courtesy of Aine McGovern

Differences in level and age are a strength for these adult Irish dancers, not a weakness. Two of the Hopping Mad dancers give us their unique perspectives as the youngest and oldest dancers in the group. 

Joanne Dreaden, age 18, says she hopes to continue to compete through her college years and advance her solo dances. "It's never too late," says Dreaden. "It's fantastic fun, great for keeping you in shape, and allows you to build such good friendships with people you might not otherwise have met at all."

   

In her mid fifties, Rosi Bryer is the oldest dancer in the Hopping Mad group. She is recovering from paralysis as a result of a brain tumor, and attributes her improvement in balance and confidence to being a part of the Irish dance school. "If you love the music, if it moves you, then go for it," Bryer says. "You can do it gently, you don't have to go all out for it. Just have a craic."

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McGovern finds joy in teaching the group of adult dancers at Hopping Mad Scoil Rince na hÉireann.  She offers advice to teachers of adult dancers:

"Listen to them:  They are usually trying their hardest learning a step, as an adult it will take longer to learn something so stick with them. 

Make dances for them:  Some adults are no longer able to lift quite so high off the floor, work with them on this and give them more intricate foot work so they don’t have to jump so much. 

Take them seriously: There is nothing worse than being ignored or made feel stupid for not remembering the whole step.


Stand your ground: Adults have opinions and are often more forceful than teens at putting it across;  remember you are the teacher and you are in charge; yes let them voice it but remind them you are the teacher and have the experience to lead the class." ~Aine McGovern

Hopping Mad adult Irish dancers practice
Photo: courtesy of Aine McGovern

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Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please visit www.christydorrity.com. 

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Book review, The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers by Sean Connolly - VIDEO

The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers
by Sean Connolly

Sean Connolly released The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers in February of 2012. Though he is not a dancer himself, Connolly touches the lives of many Irish dancers around the globe through inspiration and coaching.

In the same vein as the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Connolly's new inspirational little book will encourage and lift any Irish dancer's heart. With advice on practicing, goals, persistence and positive mental attitude, The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers is a must have for Irish dancers of all ages.

Though small in size, Connolly's inspirational book offers large advice, "When you retire from dancing all you will have are the memories. You do not want to look back at a past full of regrets and failings due to fear, stress and worry. Make these memories full of excitement, fun and of a dancer who always did their best" (pages 20-21).

Not only are Connolly's words encouraging, but they offer motivation for change. "If you want a different result, you are going to have to do something different," Connolly says on page 43. "Why not start with something that costs nothing, but could give you just about everything, and that is a new way of thinking."

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Readers will be willing to look past the few grammatical errors in the book in favor of the gems of truth embedded in its digital pages. Many of Connolly's quotes such as "Practice is the only short cut in life and your best strategy for success" (page 69) will end up on practice walls and dance studios everywhere.

Suggested mental exercises, and candid full-color photos of Irish dancers dot the pages of The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers to help dancers replace any negative thoughts with positive goals.

For information about purchasing a copy of The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers by Sean Connolly, visit his website.




The Little Book of Inspiration for Irish Dancers book trailer

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Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please comment in the box below for replies and contact information!

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

The Jig is Up! celtic band joins with adult Irish dancer Richard Tew - PHOTOS

The Jig is Up! band teams up with adult Irish dancer, Richard Tew
Photo: Christine Heartsill

Champion Irish dancer Richard Tew is teaming up with Houston's newest band, The Jig is Up!.  The band performs traditional Irish tunes and dance music, with musicians on flute, fiddle, accordian, melodian, and bodhrán.  Many of the numbers are traditional Irish dance music, making the band a perfect fit for Richard Tew's Irish dancing. 

Tew began Irish dancing when he was 20 years old after seeing a local dance school perform. After teaching himself the basics through video tutorials, Tew sought out a dance school. He learned quickly, moving up in the dance levels, winning several state championships and clinching the southern regional championship in 2003.  

Recently Tew began looking for a way to share his love of Irish dance with others. "I've always wanted to be on the stage," Tew says. He heard The Jig is Up! performing at a local coffee shop and asked if he could dance with them. When he pulled out his hard shoes, the band members humored him. After Tew pounded out the rhythm to their traditional Irish dance music, the group grew excited and asked him to join them for their St. Patrick's Day engagements. "We both had the idea," says Tew. "We wanted to take it to the next level."

Richard Tew, champion adult Irish dancer
photo: Pin Lim

Tew and The Jig is Up! are not trying to recreate Riverdance, according to Tew, "The costuming and music are traditional, also with contemporary new beats and sounds." The group desires to pay tribute to the music and culture of Ireland and pass it on to the new generation. "We want the audience to leave knowing they saw an original traditional Irish dance, as we know it," says Tew. "This is modern contemporary—a competition trained Irish dancer in your neighborhood. It’s good enough to stand on its own."

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Practices for Tew's first performance with the band are in full swing. Tew says that it can be challenging to dance in time to the band's music, which is more spontaneous than the live music played at Irish dance competitions. "They love to improvise, " Tew says, "And it’s natural for them to improvise and let loose, but it can’t deviate for a dancer." 

Tew has advice for adult Irish dancers:

"Don’t give up. If it’s really what you want to do, do it.  If you want to be good, you have to put in twice as much work to do it. Don’t let competition be the end of your experience.The enjoyment is better than how many trophies you bring home. "

The Jig is Up! with Richard Tew will be performing at the Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex, 2201 Preston, Houston TX 77003 on Saturday, May 12 at 7:30 pm.

For more information about the band, their recording and future performances, go to TheJigisUpBand.com

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Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please comment in the box below for replies and contact information!

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Master Irish Dance workshops offered online with fantastic instructors - VIDEOS

Ciara Sexton
Photo: courtesy Diddlyi

By Caitlin Buck, Feis America LLC Contributor

I found out today that Diddlyi.com now offers online Master Workshops with three truly fantastic instructors. The master instructors include: five time World Champion & All Ireland Champion and Lord of the Dance 3D star Ciara Sexton, Riverdance star and TCRG Shane McAvinchey, and Riverdance star and Dancing Thru The Ages co-producer, director, and choreographer Paula Goulding.

        

Each instructor has a unique master class: Dance Like Sexton, Hard Shoe Bootcamp, Train Like a Champion, and Improve Your Dancing. These workshops allow dancers to, “Get extensive training with Irish Dance Masters as steps, movements & drills are broken down in detail. You may go at your own pace, at your own time and repeat as often as you like until you are happy to move on!” Shane McAvinchey explains.

Using the master classes on Diddlyi is akin to the CLRG-approved instructional Olive Hurley videos or the Jean Butler Master Class DVD. In other words your dance teacher shouldn’t mind at all if you try out a master class because the focus is on essential technique and skills.

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Kaitlyn S. shares in a review that her, “Teacher told me that I have improved very much by watching and practicing with these videos. These videos have helped me get to preliminary championships faster.”

These master classes offer, “The extra support that many Irish dancers, basic to advanced, need so you can push yourself to get better, practice in your own time and see styles from other teachers. And Diddlyi is obviously a perfect solution for the many Irish dancing fans around the world who do not have access to proper tuition. (Or funds for scores of private lessons.) Most of all, we hope it helps you have more fun Irish dancing.”

All of the master classes are on sale at the moment! Go investigate and check out the deals at Diddlyi.com.

For a taste of the Ciara Sexton master class here are a couple videos (below) of her responding to interview questions on her tremendously successful dancing career and advice for other dancers:

Irish Dance Like Ciara Sexton


Irish Dance Like Ciara Sexton (Part II)




Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!

Four reasons why the family that dances together, stays together - VIDEO

Irish dancing is a family affair
Photo: courtesy Christy Dorrity

Mothers and fathers who have children in Irish dance, and are dancers themselves, know of the joys that come from sharing Irish dance together.


There are real advantages to having family members dance together.  Here are a few:


1-Saving time and money


Can that be a typo?  How could anyone think that including more children in dance would ever be less expensive?


Families who have many children understand how hectic life can be when each child is going in a different direction--soccer on Tuesday, dance on Wednesday, piano on Thursday, and so on. When a majority of the family does the same activity, there is less running around and juggling of schedules.  Many dance schools offer family discounts and most feiseanna have a family maximum on fees.


Expensive shoes and costumes can be passed down to younger siblings. Melissa Cleverly, an adult dancer from Scariff School of Irish Dance in Utah says, "I just put shoes that are too small in a bin, and when a younger sibling needs a pair of shoes we go to the shoe bin to get pair of shoes."


2-Family bonding time


Not only do parents and children enjoy one another's company at practices and performance, but even the travel time can be a perfect opportunity for sharing and quality heart-to-hearts. Many families turn competition weekends into vacations, or family vacations into competition weekends. Rachel Joy, adult Irish dancer from Beaton School of Irish Dance in Maryland, says, "Driving to and from feiseanna is the best time; parent/child competitions are fun too!"


Performing together in recitals or in parent/child competitions strengthens relationships. Each family member feels the rush of cheering for a sibling or child and sharing in their triumphs and pitfalls.


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3-Promoting Exercise


Dancing by its very nature encourages parents and kiddos to get up off the couch and do something active.  Dance class fosters stamina, perseverance and endurance.  Even practice time at home counts as a calorie-burning, heart-helping activity. When children see their parents doing something active to stay healthy, you can bet there are healthy habits forming.


4-Encouraging Dreaming


How great is it for kids to see their parents making goals, then working toward them with vigor? "We all practice together and are at dance together," says Cleverly. "It is so fun to have this common interest in our family. Everyone in our family has something in common with one another."


Adults who go to practice and work toward a future goal give their kids the gift of ambition and the belief that they, too, can do anything they put their mind to.


ScullyPA, an Irish dance mother, shares this cute little video with us:

Avoiding the Competition--practicing with kids around 

Video: courtesy ScullyPA

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Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer who shares the journey with other family members?  Do you have any great memories of your time together?  How do you cope with scheduling conflicts and costs? Please comment in the box below for replies and contact information!

Check back here for news, results, photos, interviews and more! Help us celebrate Irish dancing by sharing this story with your friends, like us on Facebook, Tweet the link or start a conversation with a comment in the message box below. THANK YOU!