Irish Step Dancing

[herc]

I have two kids (son 11 and daughter 8)who are heavily into Irish Step dancing going on 3 yrs now. We travel to competitions ever month or two, usually locally.
I was wondering if anyone else have kids involved and how often are competitions in your area.

Thanks

 

[marydmjj]

I've done Irish step-dancing since I was 4 years old...that means 31 YEARS, holy cow! Highlight of my dancing career: dancing for The Chieftains 3 years in a row when they came to Seattle! That was an awesome experience. My sister has a dancing school in Seattle, Tara Academy of Irish Dance and I teach for her occassionally. I don't go to competitions anymore (other than count at the feis run by my sister) but it seems like they go to one every month or two as well. They travel to western Canada, Oregon and California. You should come to the feis put on by our dancing school, Emerald City Feis. I think it is in February.

Kudos to your son. I know it's hard to keep it up when you are a boy. My son danced for a couple of years and then quit.

 

[herc]

We were going to attend the Emerald City Feis in February but had to cancel the trip.
We are originally from Seattle but the kids didn't start Irish dance until we moved to Colorado so we are not real familiar with the schools and Feis in the area.
Since we have relatives up in the area we should try to take that Feis in.
Both son and daughter are doing well and are one dance from preliminary champion level. They really seem to love it.

 

[totalia]

Actually, I very much wish I could take those lessons myself (I have no kids) but there isn't a teacher for it in my city. The closest, I'd have to travel 2.5 hours.

 

[aprincessmom]

My cousin has been competing since she was 7...she's going to be 16 in November. She's traveled all over the US, Canada and last year went to Ireland and came in 2nd in her category. She was thrilled!

 

[Beanie]

Two of my cousins have been competing since they were 5 years old and they love it! They are now 14 and 15! They do competitions everywhere, including the last one they did in Washington, DC. They are extremely good at it and I love to watch them do this. Their costumes are beautiful as well. Here is a picture that was in the paper last year of them...
My Cousins are Kristen (first girl) and Caitlin (last girl)...The girl in the middle is a friend of theirs. I am just so proud of them!
<img src="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid59/p5bfe65ea2fcd11aa8cd1bca0db606c25/fc5e4b16.jpg">

 

[goofy4tink]

Dd, 11, is just starting her 4th year with Irish Step. She loves it to pieces. Her dance teacher doesn't do any competitions. Well, at least not at this point. But, the classes are only in their 4th year at this particular school. And it is part of a regular dance school so I don't think it's as big a deal as some of the other Step classes in our area. There is one school, in Worcester, that does only competitions and exhibitions. They are pretty incredible dancers.

 

[marydmjj]

Here is a picture of myself (third from left), my sisters and Paddy Moloney from The Chieftains. This was taken after the first concert we performed for them in Seattle.

<IMG width= "300" SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid139/p65f26411fa6e7af9f9c669416c2106e4/f701c3b1.jpg">

herc: You should really try to come out for the Emerald City Feis. It is run really really well . Honestly, we received a lot of great compliments. We were on time both days, which doesn't happen very often as I'm sure you've seen.

Beanie: Great picture. One question, is the hair real or fake? We used to wear black tights under our costumes which had little embroidery and no appliques or bling bling. I remember wanting so much to wear black nylons instead of tights like the older girls did.

 

[Beanie]

Originally posted by marydmjj
Beanie: Great picture. One question, is the hair real or fake? We used to wear black tights under our costumes which had little embroidery and no appliques or bling bling. I remember wanting so much to wear black nylons instead of tights like the older girls did.

They are fake. Their hair is so fine and straight, they could never get the curls like they are supposed to! LOL

Beautiful picture of you and your sisters, I love it!