Let the wild rumpus of March begin — March is a festive, frantic and fun month for all Irish dancers everywhere and especially HERE at the Erickson Academy of Irish Dance! Since there are so many March activities, events and deadlines, we’ll just list them here in date order so you’ll know where you might find us throughout the month:

We are now accepting registrations for all of our Beginner classes, children and adults!

Beginner Classes for Children (ages 5 – 14) – Classes start week of September 7th

As a beginning student at the Erickson Academy of Irish Dance, children will learn the basics of Irish dance.  Irish dancing is a progression which starts with posture, foot position, timing, “threes” and “sevens”.  Children are grouped together in small classes for personal attention.  The youngest students accepted for Beginners are age 5 — ability to focus and attention span are important.  Most children begin dancing around 6-7, but may begin up to age 14.   

Beginner Classes for Children are offered on . . .

Wednesdays, 5:15pm – 6:00pm

Saturdays, 9:30am – 10:15am

Registration Fee $25, Fall Session Tuition, $120 (September – November)

Beginner Classes for Adults – Classes start the week of October 5th

As a beginning student of Irish dance, adults can also expect to learn the basics.  Adults will integrate the soft shoe dances with group/ceili dancing.  This class is designed to be fun and recreational (not to mention, a fantastic way to exercise) with an avenue toward competition if that aspect of Adult step-dancing is desired. 

Classes for Adults are offered .  .  .

Mondays, 6:00pm – 7:00pm Beginners

Mondays, 7:00pm – 8:00pm Advanced

$25 Registration Fee.  $90 Fall Session Tuition (October – November)

Please email EricksonDance@aol.com for a complete 2009-10 Erickson Academy Beginner Brochure & Registration Form.

Congratulations to all Erickson Academy dancers who competed at the regional Mid-America Oireachtas in Columbus, Ohio over Thanksgiving weekend.    A special congratulations to Erickson Academy Soloists, Ceili Teams and Traditional Set Dancers who placed:

Oireachtas Soloists

Under 17 – Mary Stegeman, 53rd place

Under 16 – Lauren Wenstrup, 42nd place

Under 12 – Clare Lister, 41 st place

Under 11 – Anna Erickson, 32nd place

Under 12 Ceili Team – 19th place

Emily Buten – Sophie DeRosa – Anna Erickson – Meave Fryer – Clare Lister – Mary Claire Lithen – Emma McDermott – Keely Meakin – Jenny Morton

Traditional Set Dancers

Under 12 A

1st place – Jenny Morton,  34th place – Sophie DeRosa

Under 12B

30th place – Mary Claire Lithen

Under 14A

11th place – Carolyn Boyce, 15th place – Kathleen Coughlin

Under 16

12th place – Amber Weingartner, 37th place – Annie Burkett