Feis or Fun

Mandy from the Echoes of Erin school gives us a Teachers view of Irish Dancing today, and looks at some of the cultural differences in Irish Dancing.

Should Irish Dancing be purely competitive or should you learn just for the love of dance.
Irish-Dancer is happy to allow the free expression of ideas as we love the dance in all its forms.
Mandy has some interesting points to make, and has also expanded our knowledge of Irish Dancing.
We were not aware of the group she represents, and we welcome them into the fold!

(For an alternative view check out this )

Who are we?

I, and a few other teachers do not take part in feisanna.
We are just as experienced in Irish dance, the only difference being that we do not have a Teachers exam such as the TCRG.
In N. Ireland and England there are a lot of school who are not TCRG registered but who are very successful, and have produced some fantastic champion dancers.

We were taught Irish Step Dancing in N.Ireland. (I was trained from the age of 3 yrs in Co. Antrim.)

We competed in "festival" rather then "feis". The style differs slightly but is basically the same disciplines. We competed with children of our own age group - e.g. 9-11yrs, 11-13yrs, 13-15yrs. rather than at feis where you have to win a prize to move up into the next category etc.
We had competitions for reels, jigs, the same as feis.
The championships were made up of one light dance of your choice (usually the one you did best in at that particular festival) and a set dance of your choice.

This is the furthest we could go with our Irish dancing, as we had no teaching exams like the TCRG. Most champions after retiring from performing start their own school, and so it all starts again.

I now run a Irish Dance School where I concentrate on performance skills, rather than competition. The children are to a good standard, and we do exhibition work. The children learn all the basics - reel, jigs etc, but we concentrate more on team work as this is what audiences want to see.We are starting Irish Dance exams very shortly, where each child will be examined individually in their reel, jig etc, and on passing receives a certificate or medal.

I have taught in America, taken a troop of Dancers to Taiwan, started a School in England and am now performing/teaching/choreographing in France.
I have also been ask to compile a Irish Step Dance examination Syllabus for a Dance Association based in Scotland. These examination are split into grades, e.g. grade 5 consists of Advanced single jig or slip jig and the Traditional Set Dance, St Patrick's Day. The Children wear Irish Dancing Dress, and receive certificates and medals when they pass. The teaching exam consists of practical workshops, written work, a section where the candidates are tested on their knowledge of music and much more. I feel it is to a high standard and worth doing.

I feel individuals should be given a choice into which field or area of Irish Dancing they can enter. Option one is purely competition, which involves TCRG registered schools and often expensive dresses, time off school for competition etc. Option two is in Irish Dance where the main element is to have fun learning a great dance form, with no pressures, no great expenses, and where, if they choose, exhibition work or exam work.

(For an alternative view check out this )

The Echoes of Erin School of Irish Dance offers children (from 3yrs) and adults classes in Contemporary Irish Dance.  The school offers a non-competitive environment , and provides both adults and children the opportunity  to learn a very popular and exciting  form of dance in a fun 
and friendly manner.
There will be opportunities to become involved in public displays and also to achieve Tradtional Irish Dancing awards at all levels.

Classes will be held on Friday evenings from 5.30pm to 7.30 pm. at :
The Old Mill, Lynton Street, Derby

For booking and further information please ring Mandy or Trina on
either 01332 607452 or 07714 379786
e-mail echoesoferin2001@yahoo.com, catriona_newcombe@Yahoo.co.uk. or mandyln30@aol.com