Why should my child do it?
Irish dance is a great form of cardiovascular exercise that teaches children about rhythm, balance, coordination, discipline, and teamwork – all while having a lot of fun!
Does my child have to have any kind of dance experience?
Absolutely not! We love beginners, and children’s introductory classes start every semester.
Can my child join in the middle of a semester?
Yes, although for consistency’s sake, it is recommended that they join at the beginning of a semester. We have three terms Fall, Winter, and Spring, with a short break for Summer.
What kind of shoes do we need?
During the first few weeks of classes of each season we have a ‘Shoe Sale”. Returning dancers are asked to put any shoes that are too small into a plastic zip lock bag and write their name, size of shoe, price and contact email. New dancers can try on shoes and send etransfers to the person selling the shoes. Soft shoes can be purchased either second hand from within the school, buying online or in person. If its your first time buying new shoes we suggest going to the store https://mirenasfashions.com/collections/irish-main-menu and try before you buy as the Irish Dance shoe sizes vary by company. Hard shoes can be purchased, but only after the teachers have let you know that your dancer is ready and has mastered the basic steps and dances.
What do they need to wear?
All DeVoy Academy dancers are asked to wear
- DeVoy Academy t-shirt or DeVoy Academy tank top
- Black, Red, or navy shorts (no leggings or sweatpants please)
- White or poodle socks
Will my child have to compete?
Though taking part in competitions is not mandatory, we encourage all of our students to take part in local feis’ (festivals) so that they can broaden their horizons, make new friends, find out what their strengths and weaknesses are and, ultimately, become better dancers overall.
Is there parking available?
Ample parking is available at both locations.
What does T.C.R.G. stand for?
TCRG is an Irish acronym which stands for Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha. Roughly translated, it stands for ‘Commission Certified Irish Dance Teacher’ and ensures that certified teachers are bonded and held to the highest standards of excellence. Both Kieran and Dympna are certified T.C.R.G.s. and are with the governing bodies of the
Irish Dance Teachers Association of Canada – Eastern Region (IDTAC-ER) https://www.idtac-er.com/
Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) https://www.idtana.org/home/
An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) https://www.clrg.ie/index.php/en/
We are also fully insured, have police record checks and have completed the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Commit to Kids) online training course.
What is Irish dance?
Irish Dance is a traditional dance form that originally comes from Ireland. It is divided up into céilí (social) dances, which are performed in groups of up to 16 people and solo dances which are performed in either soft-shoes (similar to ballet slippers) or hard shoes (similar to tap shoes). Though it has been around for hundreds of years, Irish dance enjoyed a huge surge in popularity in the mid-1990s when shows like ‘Riverdance’ and ‘Lord of the Dance’ took the world by storm.
How much will it cost?
Cost varies according to the dancer’s level of experience, how many classes they attend a week, but we are committed to making our classes affordable and accessible to everyone. For more information and a free, personalized quote, please email dympna@devoyacademy.com
Do you have to have Irish heritage to do Irish dancing?
No! Irish dance is taking off all over the world, from Mexico to South Africa, from Italy to Germany. We are a inclusive studio where everyone is welcome. We think of ourselves as a dance family, after all, our motto is DeVoy Academy: A Family First.
Have a question that’s not found on our FAQ page? Then either email us or drop by in person! All of our info can be found on our classes page.