(4). YOUTH PROGRAM

 Progress / Class Track 

 

Our Studio Progression Track follows the Irish Dance competitive track (keeping in mind that competing at Milwaukee Irish Dance is always optional!). The following class levels are the “core" Milwaukee Irish Dance Youth Program, of which students attend regular classes and register for according to their appropriate level and are subject to teacher discretion. Certain achievements for both recreational + competitive dancers are made in order to advance levels and dancers do not automatically advance levels every year. Please read class descriptions and of course please let us know if you have any questions about appropriate class placement.

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KID + KIN

SHAMROCK I

SHAMROCK II

BEGINNER LEVEL

ADVANCED BEGINNER LEVEL

NOVICE / INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

PRE-CHAMP PROGRAM

CHAMPION PROGRAM 

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Competitive Levels do not necessarily correlate with Class Levels. For example, a dancer in “Advanced Beginner Class” still needs to compete and place at “Beginner Level” at feiseanna in order to move up into the next level.

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STEP PORTAL: Dancers are encouraged to utilize the Dancer Step Portal that can be found on our Community Page. This is a password-secured resource provided as a privilege to our fully enrolled students to assist with at-home practice, geared for beginner / intermediate level dancers. This does not substitute in-studio instruction and does not include individual adjustments for steps. All of our steps and teaching resources are property of Milwaukee Irish Dance. Do not share any of this content without permission.

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PERFORMANCE: We offer JUNIOR COMPANY for our Novice, Pre-Champ + Champ level dancers as add-on classes, in order to learn a variety of show choreography & performance skills, with special opportunities to perform throughout the year!

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ALL DANCERS will have an opportunity to showcase for parents & families what they have learned throughout the year at our Spring Showcase as well as the annual Milwaukee Irish Dance Class Feis (both are held in the Spring and are optional, but encouraged).

 

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COMPETITION REGISTRATION: For a list of upcoming feiseanna, please check the events page on our website or app. It is up to each dancer to ensure their competition registration / level is up to date.

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MAJORS REGISTRATION: It is especially important that all dancer’s info is correct for when we put in Majors registration (which is always put through by a TCRG). Note also that fees for practices will automatically be added to the registration total and posted to student accounts (see fee breakdown in the majors category below). There will also be an admin / teacher expense offset fee ($75) added to each dancer’s registration total for each Major.

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CHOREOGRAPHY + CLASS PLACEMENT: The teaching team spends a considerable amount of time developing choreography and planning classes. Milwaukee Irish Dance TCRGs have final say about all choreography, including which material will be taught / competed / performed. We carefully evaluate each dancers’ progress continually throughout the year and make class placement decisions on an individualized basis in order to best promote each dancers’ growth. All dancers / families are asked to respect these carefully made decisions made related to material and class placement. If you have questions about a dancer’s placement in class or choice for choreography, please ask rather than assume.

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KID + KIN

 

SHORT SESSIONS: 9/13 - 10/18, 11/8 - 12/20 *no class 11/29*, 1/24 - 2/28, 4/11 - 5/16, 5/23 - 6/27

Saturdays 9:15-9:45 am

Program Cost: $95 for each short session

Age 2-3 with a guardian

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Come explore movement and rhythm through Irish music, engaging movement and dance activities, and exciting themes in a joyful and nurturing environment! Our youngest dancers will work on physical skills like balance and coordination, language skills, and social-emotional growth. This class is for children to enjoy with their guardian. Dancers and their guardians are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and gym shoes that they can easily move around in.

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SHAMROCK I

 

Half Year Programs: Fall (Sept-Jan) and Spring (Feb-June)

Saturdays 10:00-10:30 am (30-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $55/monthly

Age 3-4

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Previously called Tiny Dancers, this class is for dancers ages 3-4. Little dancers will have so much fun learning the jig, Irish dance technique, and playing creative movement activities! Each class is carefully designed to help dancers develop balance, coordination, rhythm, and important cognitive and social-emotional skills. 

 

Dancers should wear black ballet slippers and clothes that they can move comfortably in.

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SHAMROCK II

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Half Year Programs: Fall (Sept-Jan) and Spring (Feb-June)

Saturdays 10:45-11:30 am (45-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $65/monthly

Age 4-5, continuing Shamrock I can be placed here with teacher approval

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Previously called Preschool Irish Dance, this class is for dancers ages 4-5 or continuing Shamrock I dancers with teacher approval.

Dancers will love learning the jig, developing their technique, skipping, and so much more in a nurturing, structured, and joyful environment. Classes are carefully designed to develop balance, coordination, rhythm, and important cognitive and social-emotional skills in young children.

 

Dancers should wear black ballet slippers and clothes that they can move comfortably in.

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BEGINNER IRISH DANCE

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Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Saturdays, 12:00-12:55 pm (55-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $75/monthly

Age 6+, continuing Shamrock II can be placed here with teacher approval

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Dancers will build a strong foundation and love for Irish dance as they learn the jig, grow their confidence, and develop rhythm and their ability to count with Irish music! Dancers will have fun and play skillbuilding games while learning the importance of technique, teamwork, and tradition in each class.

 

Dancers should wear black ballet slippers and white socks, black shorts, and a black top that they can move comfortably in. Dancers will have the opportunity to be fitted for soft shoes and poodle socks in class.

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ADVANCED BEGINNER

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Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Saturdays, 1:00-2:15 pm (75-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $85/monthly

Teacher approval

 

Advanced Beginner is open to dancers who have completed one full year of Beginner classes or for those who are ready for more challenging material with teacher approval.  Dancers will grow their Irish dance skills, work on setting goals, and increase their self-confidence in this year-long session. Dancers will be introduced to the reel, slip jig, and hard shoe basics while continuing to build a strong foundation and love for Irish dance rooted in technique, teamwork, and tradition.

 

Dancers should wear soft shoes and poodle socks, black shorts, and a black top that they can move comfortably in. Dancers will have the opportunity to earn their hard shoes during this session!

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Dancers in this level are eligible for a Studio Pass - a membership upgrade that includes many perks including Open Studio (a teacher supervised class where students can work on their own material alongside other dancers), 10% off of private lessons and free studio rentals.

 

Prerequisite: Beginner Level, 1+ year experience

Shoes Required: Soft Shoes and Hard Shoe

Material Covered: Reel, Light Jig + Basic Slip Jig, Hard Shoe Basic Drills

Competitive Level: Competing at Beginner Level (optional)

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NOVICE / INTERMEDIATE 

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Mondays, 5:00-6:55pm (115-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $125/month

Teacher approval

 

This class is for dancers who have completed at least two years of Irish dance at our studio, have mastered basic soft shoe reels, light jigs and slip jigs, are working on fast-speed hard shoe dances (treble jig & hornpipe), and are ready to transition to learning more challenging material! Novice dancers are eligible to sign up for JUNIOR COMPANY held on Wednesdays at 5pm, in order to learn performance skills and participate in special guest performance opportunities throughout the year!

 

Dancers in this level are eligible for a Studio Pass - a membership upgrade that includes many perks including Open Studio (a teacher supervised class where students can work on their own material alongside other dancers), 10% off of private lessons and free studio rentals.

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Prerequisite: Beginner & Advanced Beginner level, at least 2 years experience

Shoes Required: Soft Shoes and Hard Shoes required

Material Covered: All Beginner 1 & 2 soft steps + advancing hard shoe skills (fast TJ + Hornpipe steps)

Competitive Level: Competing in either Advanced Beginner or Novice 

 

PRE-CHAMP PROGRAM

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Mondays, 6:00-7:55 pm (115-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $125/month

Teacher approval 

 

Prizewinner program 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! This program is advanced and fast-paced. Pre-Champ Program dancers are invited to join the JUNIOR COMPANY that meets on  Wednesdays in order to learn show choreography & performance skills, with special opportunities to perform throughout the year!

 

Dancers in this level are eligible for a Studio Pass - a membership upgrade that includes many perks including Open Studio (a teacher supervised class where students can work on their own material alongside other dancers), 10% off of private lessons and free studio rentals.

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Prerequisite: 3+ years experience, teacher approval required

Competitive Level: Novice + Prizewinner 

 

CHAMPION PROGRAM 

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Mondays, 7:00-8:25pm (soft shoe + set focus), Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:25pm (hard shoe + set focus)

Program Cost: $165/month

Teacher approval 

 

Our Champion program is for experienced dancers who are ready to fine tune their high degree of skill! Each class will challenge dancers artistically and athletically; competitive pursuits are accommodated but performance opportunities are also encouraged. Champion Program dancers are invited to join the JUNIOR COMPANY that meets on  Wednesdays in order to learn show choreography & performance skills, with special opportunities to perform throughout the year!

 

Dancers in this level are eligible for a Studio Pass - a membership upgrade that includes many perks including Open Studio (a teacher supervised class where students can work on their own material alongside other dancers), 10% off of private lessons and free studio rentals.

 

Prerequisite: 3+ years experience, teacher approval required

Competitive Level: Prizewinner, PC, OC

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JUNIOR COMPANY (ADD-ON)

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Wednesdays 5:00 - 5:55pm

Program Cost: $55 /mo (add on) 

 

Open to Novice, Pre-Champ + Champ dancers, or with teacher approval, Junior Company is our elite performance company class which prepares dancers for the many shows during the St. Patrick’s Day season (and beyond!).  The class will teach fun and challenging choreography in an encouraging, non-competitive setting. Ceili / team dances may also taught in this class.

 

Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the Novice, Pre-Champ or Champ Program or have teacher approval. 

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CEILI CLASS (ADD-ON)

 

Runs select times during the competitive season

Tuesdays 7:30-8:25pm OR Sundays 2:00 - 2:55pm

Program Cost:  $55 /mo (add on)

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This class is for Ceili Teams (4 or 8 hands) heading to the Mid-America Oireachtas or North American Irish Dance Championships. 

 

Prerequisite: This class is invite-only. .

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