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!

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!

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.

• 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??!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

YES! We have a Spring Feis that the beginners participate in. In addition, there are recitals are various locations.

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.