Student Info

Class Descriptions

Pre-Beginner: This class is generally for beginner students ages 4, 5 and 6. They will continue to dance as a pre-beginner until they are close to perfecting their 2 steps in Light Jig and Reel. It is not uncommon for wee ones to spend 1-2 years at this level.

Beginner: Any dancer that has mastered their 2 steps in a Reel and Light Jig. Generally, these dancers compete only in Reel and Light Jig. Sometimes they will offer Slip Jig for the girls. Usually, students remain at this level for a calendar year – or until the teacher deems it necessary to move to the next level.

Adv Beginner: Once a dancer has been dancing for at least a year, they move up to Advanced Beginner. By this time, a dancer will start to learn hardshoe and will be able to compete in Reel, Light Jig, Slip Jig, Fast Heavy Jig and Fast Hornpipe. (Fast also called Traditional) Students work to get 1st places in EACH of the categories! Don’t move up until you clear it with the teachers! A student may be in this level for one -three years.

Novice: A dancer who has received a 1st in every dance in Adv. Beginner will move to Novice. They will compete in all softshoe dances and have the choice between “fast” or “slow” speeds in hardshoe. A student maybe in this level for quite sometime. Students are working for 1st places in all of their dances! After a student places first in the light jig, they may opt of that dance after consulting with the teacher – but should compete in all other dances regardless the number of 1st’s they win – until all 1st places are achieved.

Prizewinner: A dancer who has received a 1st in every dance in Novice may move on to Prizewinner. At this level they may opt out of the Light Jig. All hardshoe dances are danced at slow speeds. A student maybe in this level for quite sometime.

Preliminary Championships: A dancer who has received a first in every Prizewinner dance may advance to Prelim. They perform only one hardshoe dance (Jig/Hornpipe) and
on softshoe dance (Reel/Slip Jig). It is a very competitive level and it requires a great deal of in class and at home practice!

Open Championships: Once a dancer receives two 1st places in prelim they will move to open… the highest level in Irish Dance! Congratulations!!

NOTE: These requirements are not the same as the North American Feis Commision. The O’Grady Quinlan Academy has chosen to set standards higher for progression thru levels. This is primarily due to the high standards of dancing in the Mid-Atlantic Region which we are part of! Always remember, it is not uncommon to stay in any level for 1-2 years.

Advancing to the Next Level*

  1. You must receive a 1st place in each dance. (You cannot move up in your reel, which you have placed first in, and stay in the lower level for the rest. You must have ALL firsts)
  2. The 1st place must be with at least 5 dancers and also must be in the Mid Atlantic Region.
  3. Once you have received your firsts, please email BOTH teachers and ask if your child is ready to move up. Please provide in the email the feisanna where your child obtained the first places.
  4. All progress is subject to teacher’s discretion. We have your child’s best interest at heart.

Beginner level dancers will advance after a year of competing, regardless of firsts.