Adult Irish Dance Classes in Lexington Bluegrass Ceili AcademyYou’ve always wanted to try something new and different… or you danced as a child and now you miss the music and the fun…either way, NOW is the time to sign up for adult Irish dance classes in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy!

Our Irish dance classes for adults focus on few things: fun, friendship, art and sport. Here are 9 reasons you’ll want to join us!

1. Irish dance gets you moving!

Our classes are a great way to get some exercise every week.  We’ll warm up with stretches and then work on dance basics — foot placement, turnout, movement — and work our way up to choreography.  Don’t worry if you haven’t danced before — if you can skip (think back to elementary school gym class!) you already have half of our basic step down.

Adult Irish dance classes in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy
Irish dancers pose for a photo with the band “The Rovers” after a St. Patrick’s Day performance.

2. You’ll “get jiggy” while “keeping it reel”

Irish music is toe-tapping, lively and lots of fun to dance to.  In our adult Irish dance classes, we’ll introduce you to jigs, reels and we’ll make sure it’s the latest and greatest music, too. Dancing is also a great way to meet and perform with local bands and enjoy their great, live music. We look forward to seeing our adult students out enjoying the local Irish music scene.

3. Our adult Irish dance classes in Lexington are a best buy!

We are offering two class sessions this year through Artworks — Sept. 26 to Dec. 5 and Jan. 30 to April 17.  Take both sessions and pay only $130 for the whole year.  The fall session is $60 and the spring session is $70.  Parks & Recreation offers scholarships and reduced fees for programs and activities to families that qualify for financial assistance. Find out more on the Parks & Rec website.

4. You don’t have to be Irish to learn Irish dancing!

We get asked all the time if you have to be Irish to learn Irish dancing.  Absolutely not!  All you need to be is willing to have a little fun, learn a little dance and make a few friends!

St Patricks Day Adult Irish Dance with Bluegrass Ceili Academy
Spend part of your St. Patrick’s Day dancing in the community.

5. St. Patrick’s Day becomes a major holiday!

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just a throwaway holiday when you’re an Irish dancer!  Our adult Irish dance classes in Lexington will get you ready to step out and dance a jig or three at locations throughout the community as part of a “traveling troupe” next March. It’s sure to be a lot of fun!

You’ll also be able to join us for the 2017 Lexington St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in downtown Lexington the Saturday before the “holy day.” We’re excited to be in our first parade in Lexington next spring and hope you will be, too!

6. Take to the stage — big or small!

The Bluegrass Ceili Academy is dedicated to promoting traditional Irish dance by providing a supportive learning environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels. Once you’ve mastered the basics, we encourage our dancers to step out onto the stage and show them off.  Whether is a small event, a local festival, a parade or a feature performance or recital, we want to give you the confidence you need to perform what you’ve learned in class.

NAIDC Adult Irish Dance in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy
The moment of victory! The 2009 North American Irish Dance champion adult ladies ceili team was coached by Bluegrass Ceili Academy’s director.

7. Enjoy the thrill of competition!

Take your dancing to another level by participating to local, regional and national Irish dance competitions.  While competition is not the sole focus of our program, our adult Irish dance classes in Lexington will prepare our students to be a part of a winning dance team. Adults compete in four- and eight-person groups at local feis (pronounced “fesh,”   meaning “competition”) such as the Bluegrass Feis or the Louisville Feis; the mid-America regional Oireachtas (pronounced “oh-rock-tuss,” meaning “championships”); and major championships, such as the North American Irish Dance Championships and the All-Ireland Championships (called the Oireachtas Rince na hÉireann).

Since 2004, the adult teams academy director Megan Moloney has coached have won 23 regional championship ceili titles and, in 2009, the North American national championship. With this foundation, we’re looking forward to building a successful program here in Lexington!

8. Learning as an adult has its advantages!

The love of dance and music knows no age limit. Academy director and fifth generation Lexingtonian Megan Moloney learned Irish dance as an adult, proving that it isn’t just an activity for children. It’s a perspective she brings to her teaching style – pairing the fun of learning dance, with the thrill of performing and competing.

Adult Irish dance classes in Lexington with Bluegrass Ceili Academy are certified under An Coimisuin le Rinci Gaelacha and  the Irish Dancers Teachers Association of Mid-America. The academy is also a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America Southern Region.

Carbon Leaf Adult Irish Dance Bluegrass Ceili Academy
Irish dancers spend a day dancing with the band Carbon Leaf. Friendships built through Irish dance can last a lifetime.

9. Irish dance friends are like family!

The friendships made through Irish dance are built on mutual goals and mutual respect.  When, as a group of dancers, or a team, you all work towards the same goal, the result is not only a polished performance or winning team, but friendships that can last a lifetime.

At Bluegrass Ceili Academy and through our adult Irish dance classes in Lexington, we hope to build a community of dancers and families who enjoy the dance, music and culture of Ireland… and have a lot of fun and good times along the way.

 

Register now for adult Irish dance classes in Lexington!

Online registration for Irish dance classes through Bluegrass Ceili Academy begins Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at noon and will continue until all slots fill or classes begin. Go here to set up an account for online registration. You can create your account before registration opens.

You can also register in person, by phone or by mail beginning August 26.  Read more here for details.Â