YOUTH ACADEMY PROGRAM
***CLASS REGISTRATION FOR 2021-22 OPENS 8/1!***
At District Academy, dancers progress through a "color level track", starting at Shamrock beginner level and advancing to Black level, our Open Champion class. Certain achievements are met in order to advance to the next level. For questions about class placement/enrollment, please e-mail us. To check out our classes for adults, click here.
SHAMROCK BEGINNERS *OPEN TO BRAND NEW STUDENTS!*
Tuesdays, 5:00pm
45-minute class
For brand new dancers. Age 5+
Competitive Level: Optional/Beginner
In-person, masks required at all times in our studio.
Shamrock Beginners welcomes brand new students age 5 and up to the exciting world of Irish dance! Each class teaches the 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, 5:00pm
45-minute class
Prerequisite: Shamrock Level, 1 year
Competitive Level: Beginner/Adv Beginner
In-person, masks required at all times in our studio.
Green level is for dancers who have completed at least one year of Irish dance at District Academy, have mastered basic soft shoe reels, light 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. *NEW* Green dancers may add-on SHOW CLASS, held right before this class on Mondays, in order to learn performance skills & technique!
TURQUOISE LEVEL
Mondays, 6:15pm
60 minute class
Prerequisite: Green Level, 1-2 years
Competitive Level: Adv Beginner/Novice
In-person, masks required at all times in our studio.
Turquoise dancers have completed their second year of Irish dance at District Academy, have mastered basic/intermediate soft shoe steps and are gaining competency in hard shoe! Dancers will be encouraged to fine tune their technique, explore performance/competitive style and learn new and challenging material. *NEW* Turquoise dancers may add-on SHOW CLASS, held right before this class on Mondays, in order to learn performance skills & technique!
ORANGE/RED LEVEL
Tues & Thurs, 5:45pm
2 x 60 minute classes weekly
Prerequisite: Exp. Novice, Prizewinner (Orange); Exp. Prizewinner, Prelim 10&under (Red)
Tues/Thurs classes are registered together. In-person, masks required for all unvaccinated students.
Orange/Red level dancers are up for a challenge and are ready to increase their knowledge of complex Irish dance steps, rhythm, footwork and fun new soft shoe material! Orange/Red level is an advanced, fast-paced class. Meets twice weekly: Tuesday class is soft shoe focus, Thursday is hard shoe focus. *NEW* Orange/Red dancers may add-on TROUPE CLASS, held right before this class on Tuesdays, in order to learn show choreography & performance skills, with special opportunities to perform throughout the year!
BLUE/BLACK LEVEL
Tues & Thurs, 7:30pm
2 x 75-minute classes weekly
Prerequisite: Prelim (Blue), Open Champ (Black)
Tues/Thurs classes are registered together. In-person, masks required for all unvaccinated students.
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. Meets twice weekly — Tuesday class is soft shoe & sets focus, Thursday is hard shoe focus. *NEW* Blue/Black level dancers may add-on TROUPE CLASS, held right before this class on Tuesdays, in order to learn show choreography & performance skills, with special opportunities to perform throughout the year!
TAP FOUNDATIONS
DATE/TIME TBD
No experience required.
Open to All Ages 7+
In-person, masks required for all unvaccinated students.
Offered as an intro-level class for all ages (7+) and levels, our star instructor Mark will teach the foundations of tap dance rhythm in this exciting academy program class! Mark will mix his expertise in tap with a decade’s worth of experience as a professional Irish dancer with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. Mark will look to teach and build upon the technical aspects of tap dancing while showcasing the differences of the Irish style.
FANCY FOOTWORK (ADVANCED TAP)
DATE/TIME TBD
45 minute class
Prerequisite:
Orange Level & Up
In-person, masks required for all unvaccinated students.
Fancy Footwork class enables dancers to develop strong hard shoe Irish dance technique, focusing on rhythm, timing and fancy footwork. We’ll also work on tap dance elements and multi-style rhythm skills which will benefit both competitive and recreational dancers alike!
SHOW CLASS *NEW*
Mondays, 5:45-6:15pm
30 minute add-on class
Prerequisite:
Enrolled in Green or Turquoise level
In-person, masks required for all unvaccinated students.
NEW for 2021-22, Show Class is our pre-troupe class which introduces Green & Turquoise level dancers to performance style Irish dance technique. This class promotes building confidence, stage presence, and skills for the stage. Show Class dancers will have special opportunities to dance out in the community throughout the year, including the busy St. Patrick's Day season! Must be enrolled in Green or Turquoise level.
DISTRICT TROUPE
Tuesdays, 6:45-7:30pm
45 minute add-on class
Prerequisite:
Enrolled in Orange Level & Up
In-person, masks required for all unvaccinated students.
Open to levels Orange & up, or with teacher approval, this is our elite 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.