Heritage Irish Stepdancers Summer 2012 Schedule Information! 

 

Summertime is almost here!  Our summer semester will start in May and run through August.  Attached is our summer class schedule.  In most cases the summer schedule is the same as our current schedule, but there are a few changes, so please read carefully. 

If you are planning on taking class in May, June, July, and/or August, please fill out the attached registration form and turn it back in to us so we know your summer plans.  Summer registration forms need to be turned in by Saturday, April 21 so that we know which classes will be running in May, June, July, and August.  Classes must have at least 5 students to run, and most classes will be limited to 12 students, so sign up right away to make sure your class runs and you have a spot.   After April 21, we will send everyone an email with your class confirmation (and if your class is not running, we will call you to discuss your options). 

 

Summer Dates 

May will run from Tuesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 27. Our annual Heritage Birthday Party will be held at the Friendship Center on Tuesday, May 29. 

June will run from Wednesday, May 30 through Tuesday, June 26. 

We will have a summer camp June 26-29 and a Saturday summer camp June 30. There will be no regular class June 27-July 7. Happy 4^th! 

July will run Sunday, July 8-Saturday, August 4. 

August will run from Sunday, August 5 through Saturday, September 1.  

Fall classes will begin on Sunday, September 2, and then the Estes Park competition will be held on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9--book your hotel rooms now!  We will have class on September 8 for dancers not competing. 

When we give you your confirmation, we will remind you of these dates. 

Free Try-out Lessons

Attached is a certificate for a free month of lessons for a new student.  If you know anyone who would be interested in Irish dance, please forward the certificate on to them!  They would just need to send a registration form and the certificate in to us to sign up. 

 

New Classes!

We’re offering some new (or slightly different) classes over the summer: 

Littles Basics (kids 4-5)—this class is for kids ages 4-5. Kids learn the basic moves of Irish dancing—stand like a dancer, clap with the music, point the toe, 1-2-3’s, lead around, and 3 touches—and also play games designed to improve coordination and teach left and right. Each class will also have fifteen minutes of fun stretches—it’s never too early to get into good habits! This class is the same as the former Basics Under 7 class. Dancers who are 6 years old will go into the regular Basics class now. 

Mommy and Me/Daddy and Me (kids 2-3)—this class is for kids ages 2-3. We will work on movement, clapping with music, following a leader, and body control, using fun and games as teaching tools! Each dancer should bring their mommy or daddy to learn with them. 

Competition Class—this class is open to dancers Beginner 2 and higher who have attended at least one competition and plan on competing regularly. In this class, dancers will work on form, strength, and stamina. Once a month, we will also have mental coach Gail Royce come and do a workshop with us to help dancers overcome nervousness and competition stress. We will work on these techniques throughout the month, as well as using video, verbal critiques, and presentation exercises to improve stage presence and body awareness. Each class will include a warm-up and cool-down, with stretches designed to help different key areas of the body. This class may be used as a required second class for Intermediate 2 and Champion dancers. 

TCRG Class—this class is for anyone interested in becoming a licensed Irish dance teacher in the future (even if it’s the far future!). We will learn all eight traditional set dances and the thirty group dances, which TCRG candidates are required to know for their exams. We will discuss practice and study strategies, and students will have the opportunity to play the teacher for various dances (another part of the TCRG exam). Students will each receive a copy of Ar Rinci Forne, the group dance book, and various study materials.  You can find all these classes on the summer schedule. 

 

Competition Reminder

As a reminder, dancers must take class the month before and the month of a competition in order to be eligible to compete.  For instance, if you would like to compete at the Pikes Peak Feis in June, you need to take class in both May and June.  Privates can be taken instead of regular class; contact us by phone or e-mail to arrange privates. 

Dancers need to have their accounts up to date in order to compete. 

Intermediate 2 dancers must take class at least twice a week in order to be eligible to compete.  Prelims need to take 3 classes a week; Opens need to take 4. Again, privates can be arranged if necessary. 

 

Tuition

Tuition will be due monthly as usual.  Once you have registered for a class or camp, tuition will be due in full even if your plans change and you are unable to come--so plan carefully.  However, you can take a make-up class for any class you miss (see below for information on make-ups). 

Special Semester Tuition Deal:

If you will be taking class for all four summer months, you can receive 10% off the total tuition (including camps) if you pay for entire semester in advance.  Payments are due at your first class in May. Students taking only 1, 2, or three months may pay in advance but are not eligible for the 10%-off special. 

Tuition for regular classes:

$80 for Champions

$70 for Beginner 2, Intermediate 1, & Intermediate 2, & Competition Class

$50 for Basics & Beginner 1

$40 for Littles (kids 4-5) and Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me (kids 2-3)

$30 for TCRG Class

Each additional class or family member (same household) is 50% off

Unlimited classes: dance ‘til you drop!  $150 pays for unlimited classes (+ $75 for each additional family member)  Note: does not include camps. 

Tuition for camps:

Check the schedule; tuition for the summer camps varies, so it will be listed next to the description of each camp. 

 

Make Up Classes

If you miss class for any reason, you are entitled to a make-up lesson.  You can make up your class by attending any other class at or below your level through September 1.  Camps can also count as make-ups; you can attend an hour of camp for every hour of class you missed.  Please call or email us to let us know which classes you will be attending as make-ups (don’t sign up for camp on the registration form if you will be using it as a make-up; there will be a make-up sign up sheet in the purple notebook). 

Unfortunately, you cannot use a class you are registered for as a make-up.  For example, if you are registered for the Tuesday Beginner 2 class and you miss two lessons in June, you cannot use the same class in August as a make up (even if you are otherwise skipping the month).  Privates are also not available as make-up lessons.  However, we are always happy to help you find a class that works for you as a make-up.  

Private Lessons

Private lessons are also available throughout the summer for students of any ability level.  Private lessons cost $40 per hour for 1-2 people (there is an additional charge for larger groups).  Ariel and Alexa are available for privates during the day Monday-Friday at Friendship Center.  They are also available Fridays at Dance Academy before 4:30 and after 7:30.  Other teachers may be available by special arrangement.  Call or email to set up a private lesson.