2019-20 YOUTH ACADEMY PROGRAM
SHAMROCK BEGINNERS
Mondays, 5:30-6:15pm
For brand new dancers. Age 5+
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
Shamrock Beginners gives brand new students age 5 and up the opportunity to grow as Irish dancers! Each class focuses on fundamentals (focus on the FUN!) of Irish dance, using games and skill-building activities while adhering to our three tenets of technique, teamwork, and tradition.
GREEN LEVEL
Mondays, 6:15-7:15pm
Prerequisite: Shamrock Level, 1 year
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
Green level is for dancers who have completed their first year of Irish dance at District Academy, have mastered basic soft shoe reels, jigs and slip jigs, and are ready to learn hard shoe! Classes will build on the fundamentals of technique taught in Shamrock Beginners with a continued emphasis on teamwork.
ORANGE/RED LEVEL
Tuesdays, 6:15-7:45
Thursdays, 6:15-7:45
Prerequisite: Exp. Novice, Prizewinner (Orange); Exp. Prizewinner, Prelim 10&under (Red)
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
*For the 2019-20 academy year, Orange and Red levels will be grouped together* Orange/Red level dancers are up for the challenge and are ready to increase their knowledge of intricate Irish dance steps, rhythm, footwork and fun new soft shoe material! Orange/Red level is an advanced, fast-paced class with regular team-building crossover class time with Blue/Black level.
BLUE/BLACK LEVEL
Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm
Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm
Prerequisite: Prelim (Blue), Open Champ (Black)
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
*For the 2019-20 academy year, Blue and Black levels will be grouped together* Blue/Black level is our champion class, for experienced dancers who are ready to fine tune their already high degree of skill! Each class will challenge dancers artistically and athletically; competitive pursuits are accommodated but performance opportunities are also encouraged.
ORANGE THRU BLACK
Saturdays, 3-4:30pm
Prerequisite:
Orange Level & Up
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
Our Orange thru Black class offers advanced dancers an additional opportunity to fine-tune their skills, work on technique and increase stage presence and confidence. This fun, fast-paced 90-minute weekly class is both hard and soft shoe.
RHYTHM & FOOTWORK
Saturday, 4:45-5:30pm
Prerequisite:
Orange Level & Up
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
Rhythm & Footwork enables dancers to develop strong hard shoe Irish dance technique, focusing on rhythm, timing and fancy footwork. We’ll also work on performance skills and learn fun treble reel material, which will benefit both competitive and recreational dancers alike!
DISTRICT TEAMS (Sept-Nov)
Saturday, 5:30-6:15pm
Prerequisite:
Orange Level & Up
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
Our District Teams class is held in advance of the Oireachtas (pronounced “O-ROCK-TUS”)—an annual regional Irish dancing championship competition—from Sept-Nov. Teamwork is the primary focus of this fun class, designed to prepare our figure teams adequately for the Oireachtas. This class meets Sept-Nov.
DISTRICT TROUPE (Jan-May 2020)
Saturday, 5:30-6:15pm
Prerequisite:
Orange Level & Up
Held at the DIDA Studio
(5117 MacArthur Blvd NW)
Open to levels Orange & up, or with teacher approval, this is our performance troupe class which will prepare dancers for the many shows during St. Patrick’s Day season (and beyond!). The class will teach fun and challenging choreography in an encouraging, non-competitive setting.