O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance New Beginners Classes
We welcome new students and are excited that you are considering enrolling your child in our school. We look forward to sharing our love of Irish dance and culture.
We offer classes for students ranging in age from preschool age through college age.
It is never too early or late to learn the basics of Irish Dance!
BEGINNER CLASS DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS:
- 2024/2025 OGQ Class year:
- Begins Saturday, September 7, 2024
- Concludes Saturday, June 21, 2025
- Begins Saturday, September 7, 2024
- Tuesday:
- Easton: Studio A (228 W Canal St, Easton, PA 18042)
- 5:30pm – 6:15pm
- Allentown: Studio West Dance Center (4096 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104)
- 4:45pm – 5:30pm
- Easton: Studio A (228 W Canal St, Easton, PA 18042)
- Saturday:
- Easton – Studio A (228 W Canal St, Easton, PA 18042)
- 9:00am – 9:45am
- Easton – Studio A (228 W Canal St, Easton, PA 18042)
Learn what it means to be part of O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance.
NO RISK POLICY: Free Trial Class in Fall 2024! Register your dancer online in the DSP portal (link below) and sign the dance waivers and come to (1) free trial class! Email OGQteachers@gmail.com for more information. If a dancer misses their regularly scheduled class for any reason, they are always welcome to make it up at an equivalent-level class.
BEGINNER TUITION: Up to 45 minutes classes/week (1 class) is $60/month. All billings are done electronically through our registration portal.
If you have any questions, please email us at ogqteachers@gmail.com and put “New Beginner” in the subject heading.
If you would like information on moving up and all of our class levels, that can be found on our Class Descriptions page.
If you are a student enrolled at a different school and you are interested in switching to OGQ, please email Colleen at OGQteachers@gmail.com. Please know, when you switch schools you will incur a 3 month ban on competition.
Would you like to try a summer camp? – Check back for more information.
FAQS
Q: How do I dress my child for the first class?
A: A t-shirt and shorts are appropriate dress for dance class. After two months of dancing, they will be asked to purchase the school uniform. This allows you time to see if your child is going to continue dance before purchasing!
Q: Will my child need to have shoes and if so, where can they be purchased?
A: Yes, your child will need to purchase shoes eventually, but we want them to love it first. Dance Sneakers or ballet shoes are acceptable at class until your child is ready to purchase the Irish Dance Shoes. If you take class in Allentown – no street shoes on the dance floor – socks are fine until you get the shoes! Special Irish Dance socks -$8 Girls wear a ghillie, or soft shoe and the cost is $25. Remember that they do run smaller than their sneaker size and you do not want them to be too big. Your teacher will help you purchase either a new or used shoe. Boys wear black jazz shoes. They can be purchased at any dance supply store near you or check the used bin! Irish Dance socks -$8
Q: What time should my child arrive?
A: You should show up 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time. Please adhere to the parent observation policies of each location. Parents are welcome to wait in the designated parent waiting room at our Easton Location and in the hallway or waiting area of the Allentown Ballet Studio.
Q: Will my dancer be allowed to take a drink to class?
A: All dancers receive a water break at class. Please remember to only bring water! We do not want sports drinks, juice or milk in the studios. Please label their water bottles.
Q: How often should my child practice at home?
A: All dancers should practice at home but the length of time depends on the age of the child. Your teacher will guide the parents or send home practice hints and suggestions.
Q: What music can my child practice to and where can I purchase it?
A: There are many songs that can be downloaded on to your i-tunes account to help your get their steps in time with the music. Be sure to download the proper beginner speeds.
- Reels – speed 122
- Slip Jigs- speed 122
- Light Jigs – speed 115
If you would like to download an entire album…David Lindqust – Step this Way has a lot of the songs at the correct speeds.
Q: When is my child ready to dance out or compete?
A: It all depends. It will be your choice if you want your child to participate in community events or to compete in competitions. Everything is voluntary! We want your child to love Irish Dancing and we will do everything in our power to foster a love of dance in a structured, yet positive environment. There are students who love to compete and students who choose not to – and that is fine! Every dance family may set their own journey. At the end of the year there is a recital for the entire school. Beginner Participation in the recital is optional by highly suggested!
Q: When will my child begin hard shoe lessons?
A: Generally, it takes about 6 months to a year of dancing before your child will be ready to start classes in hard shoes. Students must learn the foundation of the soft shoe style of dancing prior to embarking on the hard shoe path. Please that one of our location Allentown does not allow hard shoe dancing on their floors therefore, our Easton Studio is the best option for Hard Shoe Dancing.
Q: How much are the hard shoes and where can they be purchased?
A: Any beginner wanted to try out hard shoes should consider buying used shoes first. Please visit our used shoe bin in the Easton Studio.