Irish Dancing is a very broad term covering many different styles of dance. The older, more traditional styles are danced low to the floor with a relaxed body, while the newer, modern styles have the classic arms-at-the-sides posture. Rince Na Saor offers instruction in all the various styles of Irish Dance, including Modern Irish Dancing (softshoe and hard shoe stepdancing, ceili and figure dancing, traditional and modern sets, family dancing, wedding dances, and mini-dramas), Sean Nós ("sha nose" = old style Irish stepdancing), and Country Set Dancing. All classes are taught by Kathy Whitfield. The descriptions below will help you choose the style which is best for you.
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See Lesson Fees for lesson rates.
Modern Irish Dancing is the style of Irish dance you see in Riverdance, including soft shoe and hard shoe stepdancing, ceili ("kay-lee") and figure (group) dancing, traditional and modern set dances, and family dances. Modern Irish is danced on the balls of the feet, with the arms held at the sides. Dynamic and graceful, it is a choreographed style featuring intricate patterns and precision movements. It's easy to see why it has taken the world by storm!
Rince Na Saor uses a less extreme style of stepdance than the intense, athletic style typically used in competition. It is not necessary to jump several feet off the floor or kick above your head to do Irish stepdancing, and our less severe style is more accessible and more enjoyable for the recreational dancer.
Rince Na Saor offers 3 levels of instruction in Irish stepdance for children (from age 7) and adults, plus classes by appointment for Solos, Traditional Sets, Modern Sets, Family Dancing, Wedding Dances, and Mini Dramas. All leveled classes teach soft shoe and hard shoe stepdancing, and ceili and figure (group) dancing. All dancers need a pair of Irish soft shoes; most dancers will also need a pair of Irish hard shoes. The number of years dancing listed for each level is approximate because students learn and progress at different rates.
Children's Level I: Friday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. For children ages 7 and older in their first and second year of Irish dance. Irish soft shoes are required. Hard shoe is danced only in class, not the show; tap shoes are recommended because of the cost of hard shoes.
Children's Level II: Monday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. For children in their 3rd year and higher. Irish hard shoes are required for this class.
Children's Level III: Monday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. For children in their 5th year and higher. Irish hard shoes are required for this class.
Adult Level I: Friday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. For adults and teens in their first and second year of Irish dance. Irish soft shoes are required; hard shoes are required for show participants. Students may try the class first before deciding whether to invest in hard shoes.
Adult Level II: Friday, 5:00-6:00 p.m. For students in their 3rd year and higher. Irish hard shoes are required for this class.
Adult Level III: Monday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. For students in their 5th year and higher. Irish hard shoes are required for this class.
Rince Na Saor offers private classes by appointment which run Friday, 6:00-6:30 p.m. and 8:30-9:00 p.m. Classes offered include all the styles we teach, including soft shoe, hard shoe, and traditional and modern sets.
Set Dances: A set dance is a hard shoe dance where the tune is "set", or the same for every dancer. Although designed as solo dances, they can also be performed in a group, dancing side by side with other dancers. There are two types, modern and traditional:
Modern Set Dances: In a modern set, the steps are choreographed by the teacher. There are many modern set tunes, some old, some new. Modern Sets offered are The Rambling Rake, Hurry The Jug, The Piper Through The Meadow Straying, Three Sea Captains, Rodney's Glory, and Vanishing Lake.
Traditional Set Dances: In a traditional set, both the tune and the steps are "set", or the same for every dancer. There are several traditional sets which have been passed down over the years, most starting in the 1800's. Traditional Sets offered are Job of Journeywork, The Blackbird, King of the Fairies, and St. Patrick's Day.
We also have some "old modern" set dances, which come from a style which predates our modern stepdancing. Dances offered are Maggie Pickens and The Priest and His Boots.
Suitable for: Level III dancers, and Level II dancers with teacher approval.
Duration: Approximately 6 lessons, with brush-up lessons in April/May/June for those who wish to perform.
Designed as a way to share Irish dance with your family, these are soft shoe dances which are very popular in Irish dance culture. Usually they take the form of a Parent/Child dance, with a parent dancing with 1 or 2 children, but it could also be partners, siblings, a cousin who wants to try Irish dance, or any other configuration. Dancers who are new to Irish will learn the 2 basic Irish steps ("3's" and "7's") and typically use whatever shoes they have in their closet which will work for Irish, so no need to buy Irish shoes unless you want to. Performance in our show at the end of the year is optional.
Suitable for: All levels.
Duration: Approximately 6 lessons, with brush-up lessons in April/May/June for those who wish to perform.
Family members may wear suitable street clothes for performance; no need to purchase a costume unless you wish to.
The Irish Dance Drama is a well established art form which tells a story related to Irish history, culture, or mythology through dance and pantomime. A Mini-Drama is the same, but smaller and shorter, and the story can venture outside the realm of history and mythology.
Suitable for: All levels.
Duration: Approximately 6-8 lessons. Family Dance rates apply.
Whether it's the happy couple, or one or both members of the happy couple with family members, wedding dances are cool!
Suitable for: All levels.
Duration: Approximately 6-8 lessons. Family Dance rates apply.
The "Low Style" of Irish Dance is the older, more traditional style, including Sean Nós ("sha nose"--old style) stepdancing and Country Set Dancing.
Sean Nós: Sean Nós dancing is a rhythmic, relaxed style of percussive dance. Steps are danced low to the ground, and the arms are free to move as the dancer wishes. It is an improvisational style where dancers combine steps as they wish based on how they feel and the music they're dancing to. Sean Nós is hugely popular in Ireland, and that poplularity has found its way to America. Those who find Modern Irish Hard Shoe too confining or too fast will love Sean Nós!
Sean Nós classes are currently offered in single class workshops and 5 class sessions. Workshops are good for beginners and those looking for a refresher. Sessions are aimed at those looking to continue with Sean Nós, or you could start there too.
Register here for workshops or sessions: Sean Nós (Old Style Stepdance) Workshops and Sessions
Country Set Dancing: Country Sets are group social dances which resemble American square dances. Danced by 4 couples in a set or 2 couples in a half set, they are a regular feature of the ceilithe (dance parties) held in Rochester.
We offer "half set" (2 couples) or full set (4 couple) classes. We also work with individuals and single couples to teach basic set dance movements.
Country Half Sets are offered by appointment on Friday, 6:00-6:30 and 8:30-9:00 p.m. Take a single class, or a series of classes on evenings convenient for you.
The days off for the 2023-2024 school year are:
Monday Night Classes:
October 9--Columbus Day
December 25--Holidays
January 1--Holidays
February 19--Winter Break
April 1--Spring Break
May 27--Memorial Day
Friday Night Classes:
November 24--Thanksgiving
December 22--Holidays
December 29--Holidays
February 23--Winter Break
March 29--Spring Break
April 5--Spring Break
PLEASE NOTE: Rince Na Saor does not follow any particular school district's calendar, so it is entirely possible to have dance class on a day when school is not in session (Examples: Martin Luther King Day, school conference days) or vice versa. These are the only scheduled days off regardless of your local school calendar.