(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

TINY DANCERS

PRESCHOOL

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 (formerly Performance Troupe) for our Pre-Champ + Champ level dancers and NEW for 2023 CREATIVE CHOREOGRAPHY for our Beginner - Novice 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

 

6-WEEK SESSIONS: 9/9 - 10/14, 11/4 - 12/16 *no class 11/25*, 1/27 - 3/2, 4/13 - 5/19

Saturdays 9:15-9:45 am

Program Cost: $75 for each 6-week session

Age 2-3 with a guardian

 

An Irish inspired creative movement class for children ages 2-3 to experience with a guardian. This is the perfect class to introduce Irish music and basic movement with the help of a grown up nearby. Children will learn general dance concepts such as following and moving in different directions, creating big and small movements, musical rhythm and patterns as well as balance and coordination

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TINY DANCERS

 

6-WEEK SESSIONS: 9/9 - 10/14, 11/4 - 12/16 *no class 11/25*, 1/27 - 3/2, 4/13 - 5/19

Saturdays 10:00-10:30 am

Program Cost: $75 for each 6-week session

Age 3-4

 

This class is for dancers ages 3-4. Students will target isolated gross movement skills and balance while learning small Irish dance combos (ex. jump knee, rocking horse) including beginning the skipping progression and lateral movement.

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PRESCHOOL IRISH DANCE

 

6-WEEK SESSIONS: 9/9 - 10/14, 11/4 - 12/16 *no class 11/25*, 1/27 - 3/2, 4/13 - 5/19

Saturdays 10:45-11:30 am

Program Cost: $75 for each 6-week session

Age 4-5, continuing Tiny Dancers can be placed here with teacher approval

 

This class is for dancers ages 4-5 or continuing Tiny Dancers with teacher approval. Students will work on developing gross and fine motor skills, continue along the skipping progress and lateral movements as well as the basic jig.

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BEGINNER IRISH DANCE

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

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

Program Cost: $55/month

Age 6-10, continuing Preschool Dancers can be placed here with teacher approval

 

Each weekly 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. Dancers will be invited to perform in our Spring Showcase at the end of the year.

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Dancers in this level may opt for the Yellow Studio Pass - a program bundle which includes Open Studio (see information below).

 

Prerequisite: No experience required.

Shoes Required: Soft Shoes (Hard shoes not required)

Material Covered: Basic Reel, Basic Light Jig, Basic Drills/Moves (Hop 123s, Points, 7s, Over 2-3s) Competitive Level: Dancer may choose to compete at their First Feis in Beginner level.

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ADVANCED BEGINNER

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Saturdays, 1:00-1:55 pm (55-minute weekly class)

Program Cost: $55/month

Age 7 and up with teacher approval

 

Advanced Beginner is open to dancers age 7 & up or continuing Beginner dancers with teacher approval who are read Each class continues to emphasize 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. Pending instructor discretion, dancers in Advanced Beginner may start hard shoe in this class. Dancers will be invited to perform in our Spring Showcase at the end of the year and are eligible to sign up for CREATIVE CHOREOGRAPHY.

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Dancers in this level may opt for the Yellow Studio Pass - a program bundle which includes Open Studio (see information below) or the White Studio Pass - a program bundle which includes Creative Choreography and Open Studio. 

 

Prerequisite: Beginner Level, 1+ year experience

Shoes Required: Soft Shoes (Hard Shoe in 2nd half of year)

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: $105/month

Age 8 and up with 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! Advanced Beginner/ Novice dancers are eligible to sign up for CREATIVE CHOREOGRAPHY 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 may opt for the Blue Studio Pass - a program bundle which includes Creative Choreography and Open Studio (see information below).

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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 (Optional)

 

PRE-CHAMP PROGRAM

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

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

Program Cost: $105/month

Advanced dancers (ages 10+ or with 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 may opt for Blue Studio Pass - a program bundle which includes Junior Company and Open Studio (see info below).

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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 focus)

Program Cost: $155/month

Advanced dancers (ages 12+ or with 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 may opt for the Navy Studio Pass - a program bundle which includes Junior Company and Open Studio (see info below).

 

Prerequisite: 3+ years experience, teacher approval required

Competitive Level: Prizewinner, PC, OC

 

CREATIVE CHOREOGRAPHY (ADD-ON)

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Wednesdays 5:15-5:55pm

Program Cost:  $45 /mo (add on)

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Creative Choreography introduces Advanced Beginner/Novice level  dancers to show - style Irish dance technique. This class promotes building confidence, stage presence, and skills for the stage. These dancers will have special opportunities to dance out in the community throughout the year, including the busy St. Patrick's Day season! Ceili / team dances are also taught in this class.

 

Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Advanced Beginner or Novice / Intermediate class.

 

JUNIOR COMPANY (ADD-ON)

 

Runs for full studio year (Sept-June)

Wednesdays 6:00 - 6:55pm

Program Cost: $55 /mo (add on) 

 

Open to Pre-Champ + Champ Program, 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 are also taught in this class.

 

Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the Pre-Champ or Champ Program. 

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