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Special Promotion

1. Buy Two Get One Free Summer Camp. Buy two weeks of summer camp and receive one week for free. This promotion is per student and cannot be combined.

2. Boys tuition at any level it free up to the 25th boy enrolled. This excludes registration, summer camps, and workshops.

3. Refer a Friend.  Receive $10 off every friend who signs up and pays for one session of Irish dancing. Refer 10 friends, receive $100 off your tuition!

Mission Statement
To be the premier International Irish dance academy that will strengthen its students’ Irish culture through the instruction of Irish dance and to develop a quality and effective dance school where each student can reach his or her potential.

Philosophy
The LYNN Academy of Irish Dance will strive to provide individual attention and teach important developmental skills such as motor, physical fitness, coordination, and teamwork to each of its students. LYNN Academy students have the opportunity not only to compete in dance competitions, but to also perform on stage in front of an audience. Thus, its students will learn how to form a healthy competitive outlook as well as understand the art of stage presence. Also, the LYNN Academy encourages its members to form new friendships with not only fellow academy dancers, but also with members throughout the Irish dancing community. The academy believes that every member will be given the same opportunities as long as he or she demonstrates DEDICATION, HARD WORK, and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

Dedication
Maureen Collins is dedicating the LYNN academy to both her late grandmother, Catherine Lynn, who came over from Ireland to give Maureen the opportunities she is now offered, and to her mother, Dr. Mary Lynn Collins (director) who spent countless hours driving, curling hair and getting heat strokes! Maureen will never forget the first time that her older sister, Mary Lynn II won a big Irish dance competition. They drove straight from the competition to Grandma Lynn's house and when they walked in with the unusually large trophy, Grandma dropped the plate she was washing, ran to Mary Lynn, gave her a big kiss and proceeded to weep as she was so proud of her. That, Maureen feels is what Irish dancing is all about!

The Director
Our director comes to the Lynn academy of Irish dance with over 20 years experience within the Irish dancing community. Dr. Mary Lynn Collins has directed two Irish dancing schools including the Patrick Butler Academy of Irish dance and the prestigious Kathleen O'Keefe school of Irish dance. She will facilitate all parent questions and concerns and explain the "ins and outs" of the Irish dance world. All phone calls should be directed to her at 1-800-986-9710 (access # 00), and you can e-mail her with all your ideas and suggestions at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Mary is thrilled and honored to be named the director of the Lynn Academy of Irish dance and she looks forward to meeting and working with all of you!

What Age Should I Start my Child in Irish Dancing?
The LYNN Academy welcomes all ages, but prefers your child to be at least 3 years old for tiny tot classes and 5 years old for beginner classes. If your child is older than 5 - don't panic! Michael Flatley did not begin Irish dancing until the age of 11. If your child has talent and determination, he or she will move through the ranks very quickly no matter what age he or she starts!
Is There An Age Limit?
Although most dancers begin Irish dance lessons around age 5 and compete to age 25, there is a whole community of adult dancers who have the opportunity to perform and to compete. Thus, no one is considered too old and if you are willing to have fun, feel healthy, and exercise, then the LYNN Academy CT & NY adult classes are for you!
What Does the Beginner year consist of?

The beginning Irish dance class consists of a 45 minute lesson in which students learn the basics of Irish dance. The basics consist of the "Side-Step" and the "ones two threes" danced in reel time (see handbook). After learning "the basics" students can perform any Ceili (Gaelic for Group Dance) with fellow students. When the basics have been mastered, the students will be trained to dance the beginner reel and beginner jig. Students will also be taught proper stretching, posture, and exercise routines. During the year new students will receive the following:

Workbook: Information about beginner steps and exercises

Compact disc: Mix of the music the beginner dancers will use for practice at home

It is very important that students attend all classes their first year since Irish dancing is like building a house - if there is not a strong foundation, a weak house will be built.

What are the Benefits of Irish Dancing?
  • Promotes and teaches Irish culture and traditions
  • Great form of physical fitness/exercise
  • Increases endurance
  • Strengthens listening skills
  • A self-esteem booster
  • Provides the opportunity to travel within US/Canada/Europe/Australia
  • A family event
  • Provides the opportunity to form new friendships around the world
  • Keeps one busy and out of trouble!
  • Confidence builder
  • Teaches discipline and organizational skills
  • A weight reducer
  • Forms good posture
  • Develops stage presence - increases confidence
  • Forms healthy competitive outlooks
  • Coaches students on how to handle high pressure situations
  • Provides the opportunity to win trophies, medals, & crystal
  • Teaches how to work in a team environment and to be a team player
  • Encourages creativity
  • A wonderful interview topic!
  • Helps to obtain academic scholarships
  • Opportunities now exist to perform professionally (Broadway!)
  • Fun!
  • Why not??!!
What should my child wear to class?

Children should come dressed in proper dance attire:

All beginning female students should wear:

LYNN Academy Shorts and tee shirt - Ordered Online

White socks

Hair is pulled back & OFF FACE - NO headbands
Black soft shoes - gillies

NO gum or jewelry

For Mini Trampoline Class Bring Sneakers

All beginning male students should wear:

LYNN Academy Shorts and tee shirt - Ordered Online

White/dark socks

Black Jazz Shoes or Irish dance shoes

For Mini Trampoline Class Bring Sneakers

***No sweat pants, long pants, or jeans allowed since it is difficult for the teacher to see if the student is crossing his or her feet and knees and can cause injury.

What kind of shoes do they need?

There are special shoes for Irish dancing that are preferable for class. They are called “Gillies” or “soft shoes”. They can be purchased via the ‘Lynn Loot for Resale” section of our website or brand new via www.fayshoes.com.  So just wear socks or ballet slippers to the first day of class if you don’t have gillies. Remember shoes are double knotted and tightly tied.

What if my child misses a class?
We have a beginner classes on our schedule during the week different locations. If your child misses a class then they are more than welcome to do a make-up class in another beginner class. Unfortunately we can not give refunds or credits for missed classes. We ask that if your child has been sick that you wait 24 hours after they are better to send he or she to class.
When do classes start for Beginners?
There are three 12 week sessions during the year; Fall, Winter, and Spring. However beginners can start at anytime and tuition is prorated accordingly. In addition there are summer camps offered at our various locations.
How do I find out about studio closures?
If the Academy must close do to inclement weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, this information will be posted on the website. So if you’re not sure, please check our website www.lynnacademy.com. If we close for inclement weather, please feel free to do a make-up class in any of our other classes throughout the week.
When is tuition due?

Tuition is due 3 times a year on:

September 1st
December 1st
March 1st

A $20 a month late fee will be assessed on any payments that are late. You are more than welcome to pay online http://www.thestudiodirector.com/lynnacademy/register.jsp or just bring payment to class. In addition, feel free to mail payment to :

LYNN Academy
38 Mendham Road
Gladstone, NJ 07934
ATTN: TUITION

Is there an end-of-year performance?
YES! We have a Spring Feis that the beginners participate in. In addition, there are recitals are various locations.
Are there any other events that I should be aware of?
YES!

The LYNN Academy hosts two Annual Feisanna, our spring CT Feis is in May and the summer Atlantic City, NJ Feis is in August. A feis is an Irish dancing competition. We encourage all of our new beginners to participate! The LYNN Academy dancers also take part in St. Patrick’s Day Parades and performances during the year. We also have an annual dinner dance that takes place in the winter. We have a ton of fun throughout the year.