Undecided about dancing, can you answer my questions??

[sheltiepower]

Hey everyone!
I'm 14 years old and came across Irish step in a school project. It seems really fun and interesting to me, I love fast dances with fancy footwork and the dresses are beautiful.

Could you guys please answer my questions??

I'm trying to decided whether or not it's for me. How much time do you need to commit to it? I have homework, piano and dog agility that takes up time, how much will ID add to that?

Also, all the dance schools are 30-60 minutes away. The closest is Cunniffe Academy, does anyone have any experience with them and would you reccomend it? And like I said, I'm 14. Is that too old to start with no previous experience?

I don't have any experience with dance, other then two short summer camps, and that was lyrical/contemporary style. I also am not too flexible (yet) Is it fairly easy to pick up on ID?

What are your pros/cons of ID? Is it worth it?

Thank you so much for answering my questions!!

[hornpipefeet]

Hey
Soo much to say about that hahaha but I'll try and go directly to the point.

The time you have to commit to it depends on how you like it, how much time you actually WANT to put in it, but also on what you want to achieve... When I started irish dancing, I only had a 1 and a half hour once a week, but it didn't take much time before I wanted to do so much more... and 8 years of dancing later, if I could have classes 5 times a week, I'd really like it (lol 5 classes wouldn't let so much place for the other classes, so it's pretty much impossible, but I try and practice as often as I can... )and I'm ALWAYS dancing, wherever I go.
So.. for the time you have to commit to it, I'd say it's really up to you to just go to the class, or to have several classes a week, and/or to practice at home!

I never heard of that school before, so I can't help with that question!

Concerning your age, I really don't think it is too old to start! Some schools don't offer beginner classes for teenagers, but some do, or you might start with people younger or older than you and then get to the level where everyone else is pretty much your age! Depends on the school

If you are a hard worker, you'll have no problem at all to pick up. It may be easier for some people than for others, but if you want to work because you like irish dance, I'm sure you'll pick it up quite fast!

Pros: EVERYTHING The feeling you get when you freeze in the air for half a second when doing a jump, the happiness you get when you get something right in a step that you've been practicing for so long, the sound of hard shoes, the music... everything hahaha!
Cons: it's hard on your body when you dance a lot... but every sport is hard on your body when you train a lot so... if you take care of your body, it'll be ok!

And the best I can say is: try it and you'll know it!

** Fail for trying to make a short reply!Sorry if this is long!

[Heidegger]

It looks like you accidentally posted this twice and I already replied to the other, but I wanted to add something because I noticed you said you were 14.

I was 14 when I started Irish dance and I do really wish I'd started when I was younger because I think I would have gotten to be better, but most schools don't have an age limit. You *can* dance no matter how old you are, it just takes a bit more dedication if you're older.

[Irishismylife]

I looked into the closest school you said was to you and noticed they have a summer class for beginners, Perhaps you could look into this and see if this is something you could start to take part in... this way you are in no way obligated to ID or the school and can get your feet wet

[sheltiepower]

Thanks for answering my questions!!

I'd really like to try the summer session but I already have obligations during those weeks :/
I think Irish dance looks like something I'd really enjoy doing, after weighing your pros and cons and mine. The real problem is my mom, she'll be the one driving me and has never really been interested in dance or driving longish distances on a school night. Any ways I can convince her?

Again, thank you!

[ghilliegirl1]

Hey! Glad you are interested in taking up this sport!!!
Just a few things I want to point out though
1. You have to get past beginner and into advanced beginner in most schools to take hard shoe. The teacher will decide when you're ready though!
2. The dresses only come when you are in novice/prizewinner and above.

I have a question for you: How far do you want to take it? Like, do you want to be competitive, or just dance for fun? At my school there are a bunch of girls who started at your age and now 2 years later, they're at the prelim level! If you want to be competitive, picking the right school matters. What are the names of all the schools close to you????

You are really lucky to have classes that close! My 2 time week day classes are 60 minutes away and my saturday classes are 3 hours away!!!

Good luck!

[sheltiepower]

Thanks!
Yeah, I realized that about the dresses. That's ok by me for now.
I like both of the shoe styles(hard shoe & soft-shoe?) so thats also fine.

I'm a quite competitive person, so competition would be something I would look into if I'm ready.I'll list the schools in a bit when I have a little more time.

[Dancing Dutchman]

If you're in to competing and want to place high you need to spend a lot of time and have to be commited to Irish Dancing. But if you just want to do it for fun, you don't have to spend that much time.

[sheltiepower]

The schools near me are:
Murray Academy (1 hour 15 minutes) http://murrayirishstep.com/

Cunniffe Academy (four locations according to site, from 33-60 minutes)
Their site is set up weird,to view all links, search 'cunniffe academy' in google. here are the links:
http://.cunniffeacademy.org/
about:http://.cunniffeacademy.org/Cunni.../About_Us.html

McGonagle: (1 hour)
http://.mcgonagleschool.com/


I don't mind riding to and from class an hour each way, but my mom would. She'd have to drive me.
I also have to convince my dad that it's NOT all about the dresses and wigs and all that stuff. Even though thats for competition, he's still convinced its all 'toddlers and tiaras-esque' :P

[ghilliegirl1]

I've heard of Murray before doing pretty well at majors ...
majors are oireachtas (regionals), nationals, and worlds. I haven't heard of the other two, but I'm sure you could email the teacher and ask if they are a competitive school (or just look at the website) Also, you might want to watch a class to see if you like the teacher's teaching style. When we were switching schools, that's what we did.