2024-25 STUDIO YEAR - SYLLABUS
Dear Milwaukee Irish Dance Community:
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We are delighted to welcome dancers back for the 2024-25 Studio Year! We have an exciting year in store. Classes begin Saturday, September 7th. Please carefully read over this year’s syllabus, which serves as a blueprint for studio policies and includes important info related to our schedule, class levels and studio / tuition terms. After listening to valuable input from our dancers and families, we have made some changes to our schedule in order to offer the best class experiences we can.
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STUDIO INFO:
Our studio is located in Shorewood right off of Oakland Ave. Our entrance is located between
the Select Properties Office and European Food & Gifts. We are down the hallway to the left.
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Sláinte (In health!) from all of the Milwaukee Teaching Team:
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Elyse Transon, TCRG, Creative Director / Owner
Kendal Griffler, Studio Manager
Amanda Krasowski, Instructor + Jigs & Swigs® Coordinator
Molly Schmitt, Instructor + Early Childhood Programs Director
Celeste Keyes, Instructor + Performance Coordinator
Cara Connors, Costume + Competition Coordinator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1) Weekly Studio / Class Schedule
3) Studio Access Info (Directions, Bathroom Entry, Parking)
4) Class / Level Guide - Youth Programs
5) Class / Level Guide - Adult Programs
6) Additional Classes (Workshops, Drop-In Classes, and more)
7) Membership Upgrade: Studio Pass
(1). WEEKLY STUDIO / CLASS SCHEDULE
Note: schedule + dates are subject to change
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Monday
5:00 - 5:55pm Novice Soft Shoe Focus
6:00 - 6:55pm Novice + Pre-Champ Hard Shoe Focus
7:00 - 7:55pm Pre-Champ + Champ Soft Shoe Focus
8:00 - 8:25pm Champ Set Dance Focus
Tuesday
5:30 - 6:25pm Beginner Adult*
6:30 - 7:25pm All Levels Adult Technique + Ceili
7:30 - 8:25pm Open Studio**
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Wednesday
5:15 - 5:55pm Creative Choreography
6:00 - 6:55pm Junior Company
7:00 - 7:55pm Company Class
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Thursday
6:00 - 7:25pm Champ Hard Shoe Focus
7:30 - 8:25pm Advanced Adult
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Saturday
9:15 - 9:45am Kid + Kin*
10:00 - 10:30am Tiny Dancers*
10:45 - 11:30am Preschool Irish Dance*
12:00 - 12:55pm Beginner*
1:00 - 1:55pm Advanced Beginner
*denotes our intro class options which are set up as short sessions offered throughout the year.
**denotes a drop in class.
View schedule + book classes a www.milwaukeeirishdance.com/classes
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(2). IMPORTANT DATES
SEPTEMBER 7-13 BRING A FRIEND WEEK
This is for Beginner - Novice / Intermediate level dancers only. All friends must register HERE prior to attending class.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 MILWAUKEE FEIS
This is a dance competition put on by all of the local Milwaukee Irish dance studios. In order to make this event happen, all dancers + families are expected to participate and volunteer.
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NOVEMBER 27- DECEMBER 3 THANKSGIVING BREAK STUDIO CLOSED & NO CLASSES HELD
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NOVEMBER 29- DECEMBER 1 MID-AMERICA OIREACHTAS
Our regional Irish dance championships. This year will be held in Schaumburg, Illinois.
DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 4 WINTER BREAK STUDIO CLOSED & NO CLASSES HELD
MARCH 1-31 SAINT PATRICK’S DAY SEASON
We are booked and busy around the holiday - be prepared for performance opportunities and schedule changes during this time.
MARCH 15 SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
MARCH 17 COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY
Take the day off of school / work and perform with us all over town!
MARCH 23-29 SPRING BREAK WEEK STUDIO CLOSED & NO CLASSES HELD
APRIL 13-APRIL 20 WORLD IRISH DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS held in Dublin, Ireland.
MAY TBD MILWAUKEE IRISH DANCE STUDIO SPRING SHOWCASE
MAY 23-26 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND STUDIO CLOSED & NO CLASSES HELD
JUNE TBD MILWAUKEE IRISH DANCE STUDIO CLASS FEIS + MOCK NAIDC
JUNE 22-28 LAST WEEK OF CLASSES FOR THE 2024-25 STUDIO YEAR
Sign up for our Summer Camps and Irish Fest Prep Classes held in July and August!
JULY TBD NORTH AMERICAN IRISH DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS held in Washington, DC.
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AUGUST 14-17 MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST
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(3). IMPORTANT ACCESS NOTES
Parking and directions:
Milwaukee Irish Dance Studio is located in Shorewood. The entrance to our studio is located between the European Food & Gifts store and the Select Property Group LLC’s leasing office. Once you enter the door, our studio is at the end of the hallway to the left.
MILWAUKEE IRISH DANCE STUDIO
3555b N Oakland Ave
Shorewood, WI 53211
Parking:
Take advantage of the free 2 hour street parking that is available or you may use any of the 4 surrounding parking lots that are owned by the Village of Shorewood located on the cross streets of Oakland Ave.
Drop Off:
Please walk your dancer to the studio. We do not allow parents or family members inside the studio while classes are in session. However, you are welcome to observe class from the hallway.
Pick Up:
All students (under 18 years of age) must be picked up promptly on time by a parent or guardian. A parent (or guardian) must be physically at the interior studio door to pick up their child. We cannot provide supervision after class finishes. Parents who are late for pick up are subject to a supervision late fee (at the hourly rate of a private lesson).
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IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS:
You will need a key from the studio to open the bathroom doors. Please knock prior to using the key - we share this bathroom with the other businesses in the building. The door will automatically lock behind you! Make sure you do not lock the key inside the bathroom; the key must be returned to its designated spot in the studio and should not leave the premises.
Bring a water bottle! We have a water jug to refill bottles. If you would like a water bottle, your account will be charged $2.
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(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 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
SHORT SESSIONS: 9/7 - 10/12, 11/2 - 12/14 *no class 11/30*, 1/25 - 3/1, 4/12 - 5/17
Saturdays 9:15-9:45 am
Program Cost: $75 for each short session
Age 2-3 with a guardian
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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
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SHORT SESSIONS: 9/7 - 10/12, 11/2 - 12/14 *no class 11/30*, 1/25 - 3/1, 4/12 - 5/17
Saturdays 10:00-10:30 am
Program Cost: $75 for each short session
Age 3-4
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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
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SHORT SESSIONS: 9/7 - 10/12, 11/2 - 12/14 *no class 11/30*, 1/25 - 3/1, 4/12 - 5/17
Saturdays 10:45-11:30 am
Program Cost: $75 for each short 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
SHORT SESSIONS: 9/7 - 10/26, 11/2 - 12/21 *no class 11/30*, 1/11 - 3/1, 4/5 - 5/17
Saturdays, 12:00-12:55 pm
Program Cost: $110 for each short session
Age 6+, continuing Preschool Dancers can be placed here with teacher approval
This 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. These sessions are a little longer as this class will be taught the skills and steps needed to progress into our Advanced Beginner class. Students may repeat the Beginner Irish Dance short session as many times as they would like before moving into the next 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 ready for more challenging material. 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 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 (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 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 (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 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 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 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
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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