Flying Irish
Feiseanna (competitions)
Irish Dance competitions have been happening since the 1700s--a time when Irish Dance and Irish music were not legal in Ireland! Competition is needed to fully appreciate Irish Dance in all its aspects as an art form, cultural heritage and competitive sport. Irish Dance is highly cumulative. A dancer who knows their dances but has not fully mastered the material (i.e. is not level advancing in competition) is not training at the level they need to train their bodies to do material at the next higher level, whether or not they choose to compete.
Parents will know their child is ready for these events if they are practicing regularly throughout the week without reminders and practice sessions include working to improve each of their steps (rather than just running through their material), technique drills and conditioning exercises.
Dancers who attend feiseanna are representing the Flying Irish and, in International competitions, the United States. They must dress and behave appropriately both on and off the dance floor.
Feiseanna: Flying Irish dancers participate in Open Platform competitions. Be aware that other organizations have different rules and adjudication rubrics than our organization, CRDM USA. Speak with your child’s instructor before signing up for these events.
Approoaching adjudicators at a competition is strictly prohibited. If there are any concerns at a feis, these must be brought up to one of the event's organizations before leaving the event.
Dancers must register with CRDM USA to participate in competitions.
Flying Irish Feiseanna: When the Flying Irish host competitions, attendance is required to support our school.
National & International Championships: Solo dancers who wish to attend National and International events must meet qualification requirements; must take the required classes; may not miss classes in the weeks prior to the event; may not miss too many regularly scheduled class nights; and are required to attend all extra classes or workshops associated with that event. These dancers need to regularly attend feiseanna throughout the year to stay sharp competitively.
Media Policy for CRDM Events:
By attending any event being run under the rules of CRDM, you are agreeing that CRDM’s official photographer or media partners may use your child’s image or likeness for promotional purposes for CRDM on the official website or social media outlets
● Any form of unauthorised photography which has the capacity to capture a dancer’s image whilst in motion, using electronic or manual means is strictly forbidden. This includes standard camera, mobile phone, camcorder or commercial film
● Other than the photographs taken by the official photographer all photographs captured at the event, including images of presentations, may only be taken for personal use. They may not be redistributed, sold or passed on to third parties. They may not be redistributed
for commercial purposes or posted to any website/social media outlet without the permission of CRDM and the parents/guardians of all dancers included in any particular mage
● Persons attending an event are not permitted to bring zoom lenses greater than 70mm inside the venue
● No individual will be granted access to take images on or near the stage whilst a competition is in progress
● Ignoring or failing to comply with the above may lead to expulsion from the premises
Team Dancing: Team members may chosen by instructor selection, audition and/or class participation. Tardiness or absence from classes can result in a dancer losing their place on the team. Ceilis and figures are danced in the Flying Irish team costume.
Transfer Students
Students transferring from another Irish Dance school will undergo a three month retraining period. These students may participate in competitions after the 3 month retraining period has ended and once they have mastered the Flying Irish material needed for feiseanna. Transfer students may need to be assessed within a class to determine the best class placement.
Performances
There will be one year-end performance for all of our dancers, at a family-themed event, the Hooley. All of our dancers are welcome to walk in parades.
Dancers who attend performance events are representing the Flying Irish. They must dress and behave appropriately both on and off the dance floor.
The call time for events is 45 minutes prior to the start of the event. Only one adult is allowed with a child in the staging area for our group; at 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance all non-dancers must leave the staging area.
The Flying Irish Dance Troupe program is for dancers who want to perform at other events and to be members of our competitive teams. Entertaining an audience while communicating the joy of dance through a performance is one of the greatest achievements for a dance student. Dancers will need to meet certain standards to participate in performances. Shows happen throughout the year, with the majority of them in March. Participation in particular dances can be decided by instructor selection, audition and/or class participation. Tardiness or absence from classes can result in a dancer losing their place in the dance.
No student with the Flying Irish, LLC, is permitted to perform or teach material learned in class without the express permission of one of the instructors. Non-traditional material is proprietary to Flying Irish, LLC. Dancers who wish to perform their own choreography (ex. in talent shows or competitions) must work privately with an instructor prior to auditioning/performing/competing.
Event Attendance Requirements
Dancers who are sick are not allowed to participate in performances. Dancers are required to attend all regularly scheduled classes for the TWO WEEKS prior to the event, as well as all event-related special rehearsals in order to participate in that event. In the event of an emergency, proof of the emergency may be emailed to the studio.