This is in two parts.

An Coimisiun teachers (TCRG) tend to follow the route of training their dancers towards competition known as feisanna. Ultimately teachers and their schools are defined by the number of Champions they have produced, whether they be at local feisanna or Major Championships such as the Worlds or the Brits.

The gruelling schedule of classes and private practice mean that only dedicated dancers stay the course. All dancers are actively encouraged to enter as many feisanna as they can, this being the only way to really move up in the Irish Dancing world. Teachers can be seen as overbearing and "grumpy" by pupils at times and classes seem more like military drill than dance. Teachers would argue that the Fun comes from the thrill of competition, in particular when medals and trophies are won! Any miserable thoughts of all the hard work soon disappear with a smile.

If the dancers are lucky they will occasionally be called upon to perform at exhibitions, with the top competitors frequently being rewarded with prime positions in the dance event.

For many dancers there is little time for anything else outside of their dancing as they constantly strive to get better in time to beat a rival at the next event. Indeed, many competitors (not just in dance) believe that constant competition gives an edge to their performance that cannot be gained elsewhere. We've all heard of ring rusty boxers who are well trained but lacking an extra indefinable quality they had when fighting regularly. The same could be said of Irish Dancers.

In an effort to improve their chances at feisanna dancers are made to go through the rigours of having their hair curled, or made to wear wigs. Small children are heavily made up and fake leg tan is a frequent sight. They then have to contend with trying to have a more outstanding dress and tiara than the other dancers, and of course they have to dance as well! For many dancers competition is a nerve jangling experience which isn't helped by the inevitable delays that occur.

So can this still be fun?

The answer is a resounding YES from my own daughter, and her pals, who wouldn't have it any other way. However I have also personally known some children, who were themselves very talented dancers, who dropped out of dancing purely because they didn't enjoy the competitions and all the hassles that goes with them

There is an alternative group of Teachers in Britain who are not registered TCRG. I don't know if they exist elsewhere but there are no doubt equivalent groups. These teachers follow a course of teaching their dancers Irish dance purely to perform for its own performance sake.

They would argue that by not pursuing feisanna you release the pressures that other dancers face, thereby allowing dancers to concentrate on dancing. Without these pressures the dancer is free to be creative and expand their ability outside the rigid boundaries imposed on competitors. Dancers are encouraged to take part in shows and exhibitions and obviously the emphasis is on enjoying the dance. It could be argued that to do anything really well you have to really enjoy doing it, and therefore this freedom to enjoy the dancing must lead to a better dancer.

Dancers move up in the Irish Dance world by taking examinations, so there is emphasis on actual quality of dance. The main difference is that potentially everone passes their exams, according to their ability, in stark contrast to competition wherein there are always losers!

Some dancers still choose to compete, but it is important to emphasise that they do choose. Again, if they want to do it then they will obviously personally feel less pressured than others, and no doubt enjoy competition.

In summary should Irish Dance be purely for Feis or for Fun?

There is no easy way to answer. In both fields there are some fantastically talented and highly skilled dancers, and there are also some less skilled but equally important. Both sides have people who just enjoy dancing, and some who like competing. The important factor is to appreciate that both sides are equally valid and should be supportive of each other. All dancers work hard at what they do because they want to. At the end of the day it is a personal choice and if the two groups are freely available every child can find their rightful place.

AND DANCE!

For background on this discussion visit here

Feis or Fun . Feis or Fun 2 . Is Dancing Just for Fun??