How to Select an Irish Dance School
It is important to do your research when selecting an Irish dance studio for yourself or your child. Irish dance is very structured and decisions you make in the early process can impact your Irish Dance future.
Things to ask or look for
Are your instructors certified? If so, which organization are they affiliated with?
Irish Dancing has a handful of governing bodies which regulate teachers and competitions. The only established (and oldest among all of the organizations) organization that has set standards for teaching, competition opportunities and a strong history of quality instruction and regulation is an Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. Other organizations may or may not have any standards whatsoever. There is very little quality control and no history.
Craoí na Tíre is registered with an Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. Both owners are fully certified TCRGs (certified instructors) in good standing. There is always a TCRG present overseeing every class.
How long has the school been in operation?
There are many fly-by-night studios that pop up after seeing performances like Lord of the Dance or Riverdance that want to capitalize on the popularity with little or no professional instruction. Some traveling teachers may open in various areas to test the waters and close up soon after. The amount of time a school has been in business is an important factor.
Craoí na Tíre is the oldest Irish Dance school in Nebraska and proudly boasts the most experienced teachers in the area. Our dancers have received awards across the country and have competed successfully in all levels of competition from midwest competitions through the world championships. We are based in Omaha.
What is the studio's track record?
Businesses can make big claims, but what is the proven track record of the studio? Do they have students who have started with them as beginners and progressed through the championship level? Do they have a track record of performance opportunities?
Craoí na Tíre is the most successful Irish Dance School in the Heartland and has the results to support this claim. We have dancers in all levels instructed from beginners through championship as well as a history of performance and travel opportunities for all levels of dancers.
Do you have programs for all types of dancers?
Some Irish Dance Studios are only about performance, while others are only interested in competition and soloists. Make sure that your Irish Dance studio is proficient and focused on all areas of Irish Dance so that you or your child can follow their own path.
Craoí na Tíre offers both recreational as well as competitive programs in solos and ceili (team) dancing. We compete all the way to the world championship level as well as participate in festivals throughout the country and Disney. We are in the process of planning our next festival trip in Europe or other exotic locations. Children and adults are encouraged to be as involved as they want to be. We have programs in place to cater to all types of students.
Who will be teaching my child and what type of role model are they?
Irish Dance is unique in that students stay with one instructor for many years. They become important and influential people in their lives and the type of person working with your child is something to take note of. Are the instructors well-trained and proficient in Irish Dance? Are the instructors interested in you and your child first and foremost? Do the instructors have college degrees and are they good role models? Do they have training in education and athletics as well as dance?
Craoí na Tíre lead instructors are certified with CLRG (the Irish Dance Commission) after undergoing a grueling exam to demonstrate their proficiency in Irish Dance instruction and expertise. All lead teachers have Bachelor degrees with some also holding advanced degrees. Both owners have Education backgrounds with Tricia Weekly holding a Psychology/Education BA and Shannon Ryan holding both a BBA in Marketing and an MA in Education. This education and experience is utilized to create programs that focus on the whole person approach. Tricia is a mom to 4 children of her own. You can get an idea of the type of studio you are selecting oftentimes by looking at the longevity of the students taking lessons. Craoí na Tíre boasts over 96% retention year over year and you often see college students coming back on breaks to get another dance class or just say hi. The bonds are formed because at Craoí na Tíre, it's about the dancer. Selecting an Irish Dance School should be a process that looks to the program as a whole. In Irish Dance, there are transfer penalties that last 6 months should a dancer decide to join a different school. Therefore, doing your homework ahead of time saves a lot of heartache later. There IS a difference in Irish Dance Studios and we are confident at Craoí na Tíre that our program is the best in the Heartland.
If you have any questions, or would like to try a free class, please contact us and will be will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Things to ask or look for
Are your instructors certified? If so, which organization are they affiliated with?
Irish Dancing has a handful of governing bodies which regulate teachers and competitions. The only established (and oldest among all of the organizations) organization that has set standards for teaching, competition opportunities and a strong history of quality instruction and regulation is an Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. Other organizations may or may not have any standards whatsoever. There is very little quality control and no history.
Craoí na Tíre is registered with an Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. Both owners are fully certified TCRGs (certified instructors) in good standing. There is always a TCRG present overseeing every class.
How long has the school been in operation?
There are many fly-by-night studios that pop up after seeing performances like Lord of the Dance or Riverdance that want to capitalize on the popularity with little or no professional instruction. Some traveling teachers may open in various areas to test the waters and close up soon after. The amount of time a school has been in business is an important factor.
Craoí na Tíre is the oldest Irish Dance school in Nebraska and proudly boasts the most experienced teachers in the area. Our dancers have received awards across the country and have competed successfully in all levels of competition from midwest competitions through the world championships. We are based in Omaha.
What is the studio's track record?
Businesses can make big claims, but what is the proven track record of the studio? Do they have students who have started with them as beginners and progressed through the championship level? Do they have a track record of performance opportunities?
Craoí na Tíre is the most successful Irish Dance School in the Heartland and has the results to support this claim. We have dancers in all levels instructed from beginners through championship as well as a history of performance and travel opportunities for all levels of dancers.
Do you have programs for all types of dancers?
Some Irish Dance Studios are only about performance, while others are only interested in competition and soloists. Make sure that your Irish Dance studio is proficient and focused on all areas of Irish Dance so that you or your child can follow their own path.
Craoí na Tíre offers both recreational as well as competitive programs in solos and ceili (team) dancing. We compete all the way to the world championship level as well as participate in festivals throughout the country and Disney. We are in the process of planning our next festival trip in Europe or other exotic locations. Children and adults are encouraged to be as involved as they want to be. We have programs in place to cater to all types of students.
Who will be teaching my child and what type of role model are they?
Irish Dance is unique in that students stay with one instructor for many years. They become important and influential people in their lives and the type of person working with your child is something to take note of. Are the instructors well-trained and proficient in Irish Dance? Are the instructors interested in you and your child first and foremost? Do the instructors have college degrees and are they good role models? Do they have training in education and athletics as well as dance?
Craoí na Tíre lead instructors are certified with CLRG (the Irish Dance Commission) after undergoing a grueling exam to demonstrate their proficiency in Irish Dance instruction and expertise. All lead teachers have Bachelor degrees with some also holding advanced degrees. Both owners have Education backgrounds with Tricia Weekly holding a Psychology/Education BA and Shannon Ryan holding both a BBA in Marketing and an MA in Education. This education and experience is utilized to create programs that focus on the whole person approach. Tricia is a mom to 4 children of her own. You can get an idea of the type of studio you are selecting oftentimes by looking at the longevity of the students taking lessons. Craoí na Tíre boasts over 96% retention year over year and you often see college students coming back on breaks to get another dance class or just say hi. The bonds are formed because at Craoí na Tíre, it's about the dancer. Selecting an Irish Dance School should be a process that looks to the program as a whole. In Irish Dance, there are transfer penalties that last 6 months should a dancer decide to join a different school. Therefore, doing your homework ahead of time saves a lot of heartache later. There IS a difference in Irish Dance Studios and we are confident at Craoí na Tíre that our program is the best in the Heartland.
If you have any questions, or would like to try a free class, please contact us and will be will be happy to answer any questions you may have.