O'Shea Irish Dance, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota

We teach for the art of Irish dance and its rich cultural tradition, and welcome all levels of interest!

Wee Ones Classes:

This is for our littlest students, ages 0-3, accompanied by a parent or guardian. We will be learning songs and simple dances, accompanied by stories. This is about enjoying Irish traditional music and dance as a family. Following simple tunes and responding to rhythms makes great listeners, trains memory & aids social skills.

PreSchool Classes:

Music & Movement instruction for children ages 3-5, currently in Preschool. We move to Irish music as we practice all of the fundamental elements of Irish Dance in games and rhymes, moving up on our toes for balance, making dance shapes with our feet, music listening skills and learning left and right. Preschool Enrollment is ongoing.

PreBeginner Classes:

For 5-6 year olds in/entering Kindergarten, we feature a special Pre-Beginners class, which is only 45 minutes long.  It focuses on rhythm, music phrasing, pre-reel technique with leaping, skipping, and steps sequencing as they learn to listen and respond to the music.

Beginner I Classes:

Instruction for children, ages 6 and up. Students will build strength and establish familiarity with the music as they begin with the fundamentals essential to traditional Irish dance, including foot placement, body alignment and basic steps of the easy reel & easy jig.

Beginner II Classes:

Instruction for children successfully completing their reel and jig. Students will learn the single jig, easy slip-jig and the hard reel, concentrating on technique and carriage, with a new focus on timing and listening skills.

Beginner HardShoe Classes:

Students may expand their speed and proficiency in the Beginner II dances as they begin hard shoe skills, learning the Treble Jig and Hornpipe as they build strength and balance.  Students begin hard shoe at the instructor's recommendation, usually after a year of Beginner instruction.

Intermediate I & II Classes:

Instruction for children successfully demonstrating all beginner level dances, with a solid understanding of techniques and steps at a Novice & Prizewinner level. Students will continue hard shoe skills with emphasis on style, rhythm and timing, moving on to more advanced reels, jigs and hornpipes.

Advanced Classes - Preliminary Champion through Open Championship:

Typically, dancers study a minimum of five to seven years to reach advanced classes. Having mastered the essential elements of Irish dance technique, students will be expected to learn quickly, expanding their repertoire of soft and hard shoe dancing to include traditional set dances.

Competition Prep/Performance Classes:

With a high standard of dance, requiring fitness and commitment, dancers can be brought to compete at the national and international levels. This is also the beginning of the standard necessary to perform at a professional level.

Adult Beginner Classes:

Adult step dance with a focus on fitness and form.  Traditional dances are taught while combining the aerobic workout of Irish dancing with strength, toning and flexibility.

Adult Intermediate Classes:

For Adults with a background in Irish dance, or dancers wishing to expand their knowledge from other dance backgrounds.  Soft shoe and hard shoe rhythms and techniques included in an hour and a half class that moves quickly.

Adult Sean Nos (Old Style) and Ceili/Set Dance classes:

We work with Danielle Enblom and Loma Mor to provide further instruction for Adult Beginners wishing to go beyond the basic beginner steps.  Sean Nos is an old style hard shoe dance, like Irish Step dance but with a freer form.  Ceili and Set Dance are traditional group dances in a fun, social context, with a great cultural tradition.

N.B. No one is required to compete and advancement in the school is not dependent on committment to competition.

Competition will be open to all interested students at registered feiseanna according to age and proficiency levels. More detailed information regarding feiseanna and competitions will be available to students and families as you continue Beginner I classes.

For placement, please contact us.