Class Descriptions

Core Academy Classes (Solo classes)

  • Parent-Tot Program (open to children who turn 2 1/2 by August 1, 2012) A toddler/preschooler program desgined to introduce children and their parents (care-giver) to the wonderful workd of Irish dancing - Trinity style!  Concepts include: rhythm & movement, counting, basic footwork, posture and games desgned to promote these skills.  Classes are held once a week for 30 minutes.
  • River Program (open to dancers who turn 3 years old by February 28, 2011) This comprehensive program is specially designed for younger children and includes singing, stretching, and learning components of Irish step-dancing. Benefits include coordination, balance and cooperation. They even learn how to count a little in Gaelic! Classes are held once per week.

Prerequisite: No previous dance experience necessary!

  • County Program (open to dancers who turn 5 years old by September 1, 2011) Children progress through Trinity’s unique Passport Program that figuratively takes you through the counties of Ireland. Benefits include cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle tone, flexibility, coordination, balance, strength and increased knowledge of Gaelic terms. Classes are held once per week.

Pre-requisite: Dancers start in County Cork and move through the other counties based on teacher approval. Transfer students are placed in the appropriate County through teacher consultation.

  • Province Program (per teacher approval) This advanced program is the continuation of Trinity’s Passport Program and is for a small number of dancers who show a significant understanding of foot placement. Emphasis is placed on the mastery of steps, form and stamina. Classes are held twice per week.

Pre-requisite: County program, competition placements and teacher approval. Transfer students are placed in the appropriate Province through teacher consultation.

 

Extra Curricular Classes

  • Taste of Trinity (sample summer program for new students only) Boys and girls ages four through 12 discover the basics of Irish dance, learning the proper techniques of movement set to the rhythm of Irish music. Each six-class session is broken down by age and is designed to introduce students to the unique and exciting world of Irish dance. Each session concludes with a 15-minute special performance for family and friends.

Prerequisite: No previous dance experience necessary!

  • Trinity Performance Troupe (optional performance program for all dancers enrolled in a Core Academy Class) Students learn performance pieces from the Trinity repertoire that are performed at local shows, festivals and outreach events. This program builds self confidence and stage presence in even the youngest dancers, putting them side by side with older, more experienced dancers.

Pre-requisite: enrollment in core academy class (solo class)

  • Trinity II (advanced performance program for qualifying dancers ages 13 and up) Students build their knowledge of the Trinity performance repertoire and perform in numerous shows in their local area, with opportunities to perform regionally, nationally, and internationally. A small number of Trinity II (TII) dancers are chosen each summer to represent the United States at international culture festivals. The most recent engagements have taken TII to Belgium, France and Italy.

Pre-requisite: Enrollment in core academy class (solo class)

  • Team Trinity (optional team program for dancers in County Tipperary through Province) Dancers perfect team dances to perform at local feiseanna (competitions), working together towards a common goal and encouraging team work, a founding principle of the Trinity program. Team dancers put a strong priority on their team classes to keep their team in tact and raise each other to a new level of achievement.

Pre-requisite: Dancer must be in County Tipperary or by teacher recommendation.