FAQ

Dancers should first attend the dance camp that is offered by our dancing school. No one is allowed to attend any other Irish Dance Camp without first getting approval from the teachers. A dance camp must be approved with An Coimisiún and not pose a judging conflict with the adjudicators in our own school. The associations rules are very strict.

GIRLS Please pick from the following options:

• Leotard, dance skirt or “skort”, socks or tights and black ballet slippers

• T-shirt (only solid color or Gray School apparel*), dance skirt or “skort” white socks or black tights and in the colder weather leggings and dance shoes.

• A “skort” might be more comfortable for some rather than a skirt. If you choose a skirt, proper trunks should be worn under it or the short lycra shorts NOT the box style loose fitting sports shorts.

• It is required that Hair must be pulled back away from the face into a single pony tail or bun. No bits of hair hanging around the face.

• Poodle Socks which may be ordered from your teacher

Note: It is strongly recommended that all girls over the age of 12 wear a proper fitting and supportive sports bra to class. Please keep in mind that all classes are co-ed and modesty is required.

BOYS:

• T-shirt, (solid color or authorized Gray School apparel) shorts and dancing shoes

The following items are prohibited:

• Cami (Camisole shirt) with straps showing (even layered) or low cut shirts

• T-shirts that have any brand labels, team logos or other corporate logos other than or authorized Gray School apparel

• Shorts that contain graphic messages, such as “Kick Butt” or any other offensive sayings

• Loose zipper hoodies or loose fitting sweatshirts. For those that need a sweater, a black wrap style dance sweater may be worn (by Capezio or Danskin) which is very neat and won’t fall off.

Always ask your child’s teacher. The teacher would know the best class to place your child in. Your child’s best interest is always our intent. A child or parent should never worry about who is in or isn’t in class. Class is for you.

No cell phones, iPods and electronic games of any kind will be allowed in class. Any dancer that needs a cell phone to be with them must have them turned off and in their dance bag while class is on. The teacher will take any of these away should they be out.

Many children take dance class just for the pure enjoyment of dance and for the exercise. Your child should get a school dress/costume when they are going to go to dance competitions regularly, is in a ceili team or would like to dance out in area shows.

Beginner and Advanced Beginner level dancers who enter a feis are allowed to wear a school dress or a skirt and blouse (not a dance skirt with the school logo).

We recommend the following skirt and blouse from Olive Juice Kids:

• Under shop girls – under skirts – the Pleated Skirt (FG88189)

• Under tops – the Adelaide Blouse (FG84371)

Note: All school dresses must be approved before they are purchased. This will ensure that you are purchasing an up-to-date costume.

The famous statement “Practice makes perfect” is so true.

A little bit of practice each day makes a huge difference. Practice helps a child to remember what they have been taught. The average child attends one dance class a week so they are bound to forget something. They go to school five days a week for six hours and forget things. We have posted practice guides to help.

Remember a beginner should do 10 or 15 minutes and the more advanced you get the longer you practice.

A solo costume/dress is not allowed before the Novice level of dance. We do not recommend it until the dancer is in the Prize Winner level in at least one of the dances.

Note: All solo costumes must be approved before they are purchased. This will ensure that you are purchasing an up to date costume.

When the dancers start their hard shoe dances they first dance them at a traditional speed, which is slower than the light jig. They later move onto to the slower speed or Oireachtas speed.