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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| History of Irish Dance |
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| Irish dance has developed quietly in Ireland for centuries. Irish immigrants brought their traditional dances to America beginning in the 1840s, driven from their homeland by the Great Famine. Their dances had a profound influence on traditional American folk dances like square dancing and their music was a powerful ingredient in country music. Modern Irish dance, however did not begin to become popular until after World War II. The independence of Ireland in 1921, rising income levels after the War, and the increasing interest in Irish heritage by Irish Americans all contributed to the expanding interest in Irish dance. This interest was almost entirely within the Irish community until River Dance introduced Irish dancing to the public at large in the 1990s. | ||||||||
| Irish step dances are relatively modern, creations of the dancing masters prevalent in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. "... almost all references to Irish dances in literature, down to the beginning of the eighteenth century, deal only with Round and Long dances, and ... there is a marked absence of any indication of the existence of the dancing-master until about the same time." The intricate steps were invented by the dancing masters, who elaborated on the simple steps of Round and Long dances. | ||||||||
| Irish dancing until the Republic obtained independence in 1921 was rather informal. The new Republican Government as a matter of national policy sought to promote Irish culture which they felt, with some validity, had been suppressed by the English. This included even attempts to revive the Irish language which was then only spoken in remote rural areas. Thus all areas of traditional culture, including dance and music benefited from Government support. Irish dance developed during the inter-war years (1919-39), but began to become increasingly popular after World War II. The rising income levels provided more leisure time for a widening sector of the population. The increasingly economically successful Irish in America began to take more interest in their heritage and one expression of this was Irish dance and music. This was a particularly important development as 30 million Americans identify themselves as Irish-American, ten times the population of the the Republic. One Irish contributor to HBC reports that his dance teacher began dancing in the 1940s. She says she has been dancing since she was a young girl. Her house is filled with medals and prizes. Apparently Irish dance became very popular in the 1960s and 70s. Our Irish contributor remembers seeing pictures of his older cousins (boys and girls) dancing. It was the "done thing" back then to learn Irish dancing and a musical instrument. The costumes were simpler and less frequent costume changes. | ||||||||
Benefits of Irish Dance |
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| Irish dance teachers points to many benefits of Irish dance for the children participating. They learn increased physical skills. They develop body control and coordination. Dance is great exercise. There is also the opportunity to increased mental skills: listening, following directions, increasing attention span, and memorizing steps. Dancing also fosters a healthy competitive spirit. It increases the child's desire to do well and to the best of his/her ability. It helps build self-esteem and increase the child's confidence as he/she develops "stage presence". Dancers build lasting friendships, not only with classmates, but through performing and competing, meeting children from all parts of the city, state, and country. Irish dancing also helps to promote Irish culture. A revival of Irish identity and tradition began in the 1960s. While a young dancer may not comprehend this particular benefit while training, this revival continues! | ||||||||
Age |
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| Parents often ask when children should begin Irish dancing lessons. Many instructors suggest beginning at the age of 6 or 7, sometimes younger if the dancer has an older brother or sister in the school. But there are many children who first began lessons as early as age 4 and as late as their mid-teens. Before enrolling a very young child into Irish dance, it is a good idea to ask the teacher to spend a few moments with your youngster and give you an honest appraisal of what to expect in the first year (before committing to lessons). Teachers are qualified to evaluate your child and usually welcome the opportunity to do so. | ||||||||
Dance Levels |
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| Dancers in different
countries have different names for the various
levels of dancing. They are, however, basically the same despite the
different names. Dancers, regardless of age, start at the Beginner's
Level. After one year, regardless of qualification, the dancer moves
into Advanced Beginner. The Advanced Beginner moves to Novice by
qualifying with a first, second or third place in a
competition of
five or more competitors, (sets such as the Blackbird and St. Patrick's
Day are usually danced in the Advanced Beginner category). As first
prizes are won in each
category, including traditional and non traditional sets, the dancer
can stay in Novice or move on to Preliminary; the first step toward
"Open" and qualifying to compete in National and World
competitions. It may sound quite easy to progress, but with so
many dancers in each category, the dancer may have to be patient and
practice hard. It usually is much easier for the boys as there are far
fewer boys competing than there are girls. While watching in awe at a dance school performance, a parent may wonder "How long would it take for my child to learn to do those amazing steps?" All I can say is that the individual dancing skills exhibited is a progression and that there is no "normal" progression. This all depends on the dancer's age, talents, commitment, home practice, etc. But I'll try to outline where your child might be while describing the following dance program: Reels and Light Jigs Immediately, you'll see your beginner dancer learn the "threes and sevens". This is the foundation of all Irish steps. You'll watch the child develop poise and grace, always improving body alignment. As your dancer advances (perhaps into the third or fourth year), you'll see the dancer able to execute more and more complex steps, able to lift him/herself across the stage with the grace of a deer. By this time you'll become aware that there are features to dancing that are exclusively Irish and not found among the ethnic dances of any other people. Figures As the "threes and sevens" are being learned, almost immediately, your own child will dance with other dancers, performing the same steps at the same time. This helps the child develop the all-important sense of timing. By the end of the first year, these beginner figures will include hand holding and other arm movements as well as the execution of steps. The teacher will match age and appearance with the talents of other dancers in two-, three-, four-, six-, and eight-hand figures with your dancer's classmates. Your more advanced dancer (second or third year) may become part of a four- or eight-hand ceili team. A ceili dance is a figure not designed by the teacher, but done only one way "by the book" as allowed in the manual Ar Rince Foirne. Also, the teacher may gather his/her most accomplished dancers and put together a teacher's choreography. A choreography team is made up of nine to sixteen dancers and indeed brings the best out of the teacher's creativity when it comes to figure movements. After long and hard work from all concerned, it is the teacher's hope to enter this choreography in regional, national, and even world competition. Hornpipes and Treble Jigs As he/she develops coordination and timing (perhaps in the second or third year), your child will need a second kind of shoe; "hard shoes" fitted with fiberglass heels and tips. You'll now watch your dancer learn to make rhythmic sounds using the toe, heel, and ball of the foot. From there you'll see the complexity of the steps grow and grow. Maybe in the second or third year of hard shoe (fourth or fifth year as a dancer), the teacher will put together a Set Piece for your dancer. Choreographed by the teacher, the set is named after the tune itself and is performed at the dancer's chosen speed. Slipjigs A ladies-only and unique-to-the-Irish dance, you'll find your daughter learning the graceful slipjig in her first or second year of lessons. |
