FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Different question? Email us at oregonirishdance@gmail.com.
CAN I SIGN UP FOR CLASSES ANYTIME? CAN I STOP CLASSES ANYTIME?
Yes & yes! Dancers are welcome to sign up for classes at any time of year - we offer classes year-round including summer! New students start in a class appropriate for their age, and our program is structured so that new students can start at any time and feel right at home! Our lesson plans are crafted so that each student can learn at their own pace and not feel behind or pressured at all.
Need to pause or take a break from classes due to scheduling issues, other activities/sports, or any reason at all? No problem! Tuition is charged monthly, which gives families flexibility with low-commitment.
HOW DO I ENROLL IN CLASSES ONLINE?
If you are brand new to OIDA and age 5-12, you get a free trial class in one of our classes held at our studio inside The Children's Gym (1625 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon). You also then get half off your first month's tuition and we waive your first annual registration fee! Click the button below to learn more and RSVP for your free class. Contact us with any questions!
THE CLASS/CAMP I WANT IS FULL. HOW DO WAITING LISTS WORK?
You're not committing to anything by being on a waiting list, so put your dancer on as many waiting lists as you like! When a spot opens up in a class or camp, we'll email you to offer you the spot. If you say yes, we'll get your dancer enrolled and ready to start! If you say no, no worries!
DOES MY DANCER NEED SPECIAL IRISH SHOES?
No, not at first! You can do your first few classes in just socks to get started. Dancers then start in a slip-on shoe as they work their way through our Beginner Curriculum. Dancers can add the Irish lace-up light shoes once they start our Intermediate Curriculum (as long as they can tie their own shoes), and then they can add heavy shoes when they start our Advanced Curriculum. All dancers learn both light and heavy shoe movements from their very first class, just the shoes you wear change as you progress. No dance shoes of any kind are necessary for our Summer Camps - socks work great! More info on Irish dance shoes is in the OIDA Handbook.
WHAT SHOULD MY DANCER WEAR?
Wear what's comfortable for exercising! You don't want clothes to restrict movement, so we recommend no jeans and no ankle-length skirts or dresses. Some students choose to wear athletic clothes to dance class, some wear leotards, tutus, and tights, some wear a t-shirt and shorts. Whatever they prefer!
I'VE HEARD IRISH DANCING CAN GET EXPENSIVE. IS THAT TRUE AT OIDA?
No, not at OIDA! That generalization comes from the fact that competitive Irish dancing, especially at the international level, can be extremely expensive (ie. flights, various travel costs, competition fees, extravagant costumes, wigs, fake tan, heavy make-up, etc). You will not encounter those things at Oregon Irish Dance Academy since we are a non-competitive program.
At OIDA, our goal is to introduce the wonderful art and tradition of Irish dancing to as many people as possible, so we do our best to keep costs low and affordable. There is a seasonal registration fee, dance shoes, and the cost of class, and then maybe one day a cool outfit if joining a Performance Team. That’s it!
DO IRISH DANCERS WEAR WIGS?
No, not at OIDA! We believe in a natural look for our dancers when we perform. Similarly, our dancers have a natural look when it comes to make-up, either not wearing any, or wearing it specifically to define natural features for the audience, combat stage lighting, or enhance a character's costume.
DO DANCERS HAVE TO WEAR EXPENSIVE DRESSES/COSTUMES?
No, not at OIDA! You'll often find those in competitive dancing, but at OIDA, we want to keep the costs down and spread the joy of Irish dancing to as many people as possible. We wear simple and cost-effective outfits for performances, often with traditional Irish elements. Check out our Instagram to see some examples throughout the years!
WILL MY DANCER START BY LEARNING LIGHT SHOE, HEAVY SHOE, OR BOTH?
Our program is designed so that a dancer can start learning both light shoe and heavy shoe movements and technique right away. Don't worry, though! Your dancer starts in an affordable slip-on shoe, only adding Irish shoes later on as they progress. Plus, you can start anytime because our curriculum provides dancers with an equally beneficial start to Irish dancing no matter the time of year!
DO BOYS IRISH DANCE? DO YOU HAVE TO BE IRISH?
We believe that Irish dancing is universal and has something to offer everyone, and we strive in all we do to make OIDA a positive, joy-filled experience for each person we encounter. We welcome students of all races, genders, religions, cultures, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, backgrounds, and abilities. OIDA is a safe space for all to learn and enjoy Irish dancing. Check out our video page for examples of awesome Irish dancing from around the world!
DO I HAVE TO PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF CLASS?
At OIDA, we do not require our dancers to practice outside of class at all! If you want to practice at home, wonderful! But we structure all of our classes so that all you need to do is come to class. Our lesson plans are structured to pick up where you left off in the previous class, but our instructors can also adapt for you if you've practiced at home between classes. So there's never any pressure from us for you to practice outside of class, but if you want to, go ahead!
IS OREGON IRISH DANCE ACADEMY ACCREDITED OR CERTIFIED?
The largest and oldest international governing body for Irish dancing is An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha, or CLRG for short. CLRG hosts what they call TCRG certifications, which are intensely rigorous, 3-day-long, 5-part examinations. The TCRG exam is largely considered the world over as the most difficult examination available to evaluate Irish dancers' teaching ability. Christina worked over 3 years to complete the 12 pre-requisite Grade Exams that qualified her to take the TCRG exam. She then passed the TCRG Exam in 2020, with flying colors no less, earning "Honors" in the dancing section and a perfect score on the music section!
IS OREGON IRISH DANCE ACADEMY REGISTERED WITH A LARGER IRISH DANCING ORGANIZATION?
Oregon Irish Dance Academy is not connected to any larger Irish dancing organization. Christina passed the TCRG exam offered by CLRG, but we have chosen to remain independent and not to register with CLRG. One of the main practical functions of CLRG and the other major Irish dancing organizations is to host and regulate competitions, and as OIDA is completely non-competitive, we prefer to operate independently from competitive organizations.
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Christina and Victoria are active members of and/or donors to multiple local organizations that promote and support Irish dance, music, language, and culture in our area, including the All-Ireland Cultural Society of Oregon, Irish Network Portland, CCE Oregon (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann), the Céilí of the Valley Society, and the Celtic Heritage Alliance.
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ARE OIDA'S TEACHERS BACKGROUND CHECKED?
Yes! Christina and Victoria are background checked by The Children's Gym, Portland's leading facility for children's fitness activities since 1984. OIDA also runs background checks for all additional staff members including camp coaches, workshop teachers, and substitute teachers.