Anonymous wrote:Not the OP, but a related question: are there any local options for lesson that are more old-school? Places that just do lessons with traditional music and without fake hair, makeup, expensive dresses, etc?

Our daughter loved dancing with Shannon Dunne. Bonus was live Irish music at every class. We did it weekly in a church basement on the Hill. Not sure it's still going on, this was a few years ago.

http://shannondunne.com/

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of lessons near upper NW DC?

Culkin does something at Glen Echo as well as in Silver Spring.

Anonymous wrote:My DH's family was into step dancing, his mother came over from Ireland as a young adult. His sisters both competed for years as children and teens. We now have a daughter and I'm interested in getting her into it. However I've heard it's super expensive. Can anyone just enlighten me about starting class (she's 4) and the cost involved at the different levels? Thanks!

4 is a little young but some schools do a preschool program. Where are you located? There are many schools around the metro area but location would be a big factor - o'neill james, maple, culkin, boyle, teelin, mcgrath, hurley, duffy. . .

At the beginner or non-competition level, it does not have to be expensive. My girls have danced for many years (one is championship level, one dances only for fun). My champ started at age 9 and my non-competitor at age 6.

Anonymous wrote:Not the OP, but a related question: are there any local options for lesson that are more old-school? Places that just do lessons with traditional music and without fake hair, makeup, expensive dresses, etc?

The classes themselves don't require wigs, dresses, etc. Doing competitions isn't a requirement so if your child just wants to do the dance, any of the local schools will work. A lot of them have "show teams" that do local performances, especially over the next month. Where our DD goes (Boyle School) you can buy the school dress for $500 new, or buy used. But even that isn't required for shows. They have a simple black leotard and skort that can be worn. Soft shoes (ghillies) run about $50-$70 new; hard shoes about $125. They typically just dance soft shoe for the first couple of years. And there are always parents selling used apparel.

Any adult beginner classes near Old Town? I always wanted to take Irish dance lessons. I have 20 years experience in other forms of dance and was a dance teacher/in a pre-professional ballet company.

Does anyone know of lessons near upper NW DC?

Not the OP, but a related question: are there any local options for lesson that are more old-school? Places that just do lessons with traditional music and without fake hair, makeup, expensive dresses, etc?

Have two at Culkin. It really depends on where you live. We started at James O'Neill but decided Culkin was a better fit for our schedule. I have one who competes which isn't too expensive yet. The other only likes to do local feis which don't require much money either.

They have a mini-mester each winter to try it out plus camp in the summer. All short term so it your child doesn't like it then you aren't committed.

Yeah, the dresses are thousands of dollars--even used. My niece gets a new (used) one every year. They sell her old one but still putting out good money. That and travel for the competitions--feis, I think.

I saw Culkin School perform once. Director and students seemed very friendly. Maybe try to go to a performance and talk afterward.

The expense comes if/when they want to compete. Solo dresses are insanely expensive. That said, even then they don't need a solo dress until the get to the higher levels. My dd competes at Novice level and she still dances in her regular black leotard/skirt even though she could wear a solo dress.

The school dress at our school runs $500 new. But they raise money through fundraisers that often covers about $250 of that. And a lot of parents buy used ones.

If you are close to Falls Church City/Arlington - my girls have taken with Mrs. James with the James O'Neill Irish Dance group for the last 3 years and we've been pleased. She offers the beginner class either Saturdays at 9am or Monday afternoon. You can do a 4 week trial before commit ing (and she can wear tennis shoes - you don't have to buy the soft shoes). You should be able to find more info on her website. Good luck!

My DH's family was into step dancing, his mother came over from Ireland as a young adult. His sisters both competed for years as children and teens. We now have a daughter and I'm interested in getting her into it. However I've heard it's super expensive. Can anyone just enlighten me about starting class (she's 4) and the cost involved at the different levels? Thanks!