The Hurley School of Irish Dance

The Hurley School of Irish Dance School Policy Manual, 2013 - 2014 (Word Format) Written by Annie Hurley, T.C.R.G.

Mission The Hurley School of Irish Dance shares with both children and adults the extraordinary culture of traditional Irish dancing. Along with the experience of learning Irish dance techniques, students within The Hurley School often gain rich friendships, amazing opportunities to travel and compete, and significant life skills such as leadership and confidence. Philosophy Certified by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelaċa (the World Commission of Irish Dance) to teach Irish dancing in October 2004, Annie Hurley Morrison, T.C.R.G. is the founder and teacher of The Hurley School of Irish Dance. Through a competitive teaching style and much enthusiasm, The Hurley School strives to grant students continuing opportunities to both compete and perform Irish dance. Dancer Expectations All dancers and parents representing the Hurley School of Irish Dance are expected to be courteous and respectful to others at all times during dance class, performance, and competition. Class Attendance It is expected that each dancer arrive 10 minutes before his/her class. Shoes should be on and double-knotted before class starts. There will be no refunds for missed classes. 7 7 If a dancer will not be in class, please notify me in advance at [email protected] or 301-367-4890, so class can be planned accordingly. Please drop off and pick up child through the rear entrance of the Laytonsville Studio, as this will not interrupt classes.

Dance Practice All dancers should wear comfortable, cotton or athletic spandex shorts and a T-shirt or tank-top to class. Shorts should not cover the knees. Girls are required to wear poodle socks during practice. Beginners are required to have softshoes (also known as ghillies/pumps/reel shoes). For dancers in the advanced beginner class or higher, hardshoes are also required. Dancers may not wear jeans, sweatpants, skirts, etc. during practice, as these items will both restrict movement and cover the knees- making it harder to observe proper technique. Please have hair pulled back out of the face in a pony-tail or bun during practice. Dancers may not chew gum or eat snacks during class. Please have dancers bring a water bottle to practice with his/her name on it, as breaks will be given regularly. Shoes All first year dancers must purchase a pair of softshoes and poodle socks (boy dancers will need black dress socks for performance and competition). Dancers in the 60 minute class and above should have both softshoes and hardshoes. There are many different styles of soft and hardshoes to choose from, as you will observe on the specified websites below. Softshoes, hardshoes, and poodle socks can be purchased online through these recommended companies:

Fays Shoes: www.fays-shoes.com Rutherford Shoes: www.rutherfordshoes.com Corrs: http://www.corrsirishshoes.com/

*When buying softshoes, please buy the newer, split sole shoe type of shoe (i.e. Fays “Celtic Choice” or Corrs “Champion Split Sole Ghillie”) as this shoe looks neater on the foot and accentuates the arch.

Other stores in the area that sell Irish Dancing Shoes and socks include:

Repeat Performance Nicholson Plaza 5050-B Nicholson Lane Rockville, MD 20852 Phone: (301)-881-0800

Please also note there is a used shoe and dress chart on our website under the members section.

Music It is encouraged that all students purchase music to practice with at home. There are many different Irish dance practice albums to choose from. Practice CDs are often sold at 5 feiseanna (dance competitions). Otherwise, you can download practice music on itunes: itunes: search Irish Dance – Here are a few acceptable practice albums:

Step Into the Beat: Modern Irish Dance Music Artist – Ellery Klein & Ryan Lacey Feisworld Volume 2 Artist – Stephen Walker

Irish dance music CDs are also sold by each of the shoe companies recommended above (i.e. Fays) and can be found on their designated websites. Practicing Outside of Class Each dance class will develop and progress from the basic technique taught at the beginning of the year. Thus, it is important for your child to practice his/her steps and technique outside of class. Beginning dancers should practice to the music with shoes on at least three times per week outside of class for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Private Lessons The cost of a private lesson is $55.00/hour and can be paid in cash, check, or online.

Parent Observation Parents will be able to observe the second half of the last class of every month.

Registration and Tuition ALL Registrations must be submitted online. The link to registration can be found on our website (www.hurleyirishdancers.com). Tuition payment can be made either by check or by credit card online. Tuition can be paid in full, by semester, or quarterly.

Tuition is determined by class length: There is a $50 registration fee per family (not included for mini-sessions class) 30 minute preschool class (mini-session): $80.00 per 8-week session 45 minutes: $560.00 ($140/quarter) 60 minutes: $600.00 ($150/quarter) 90 minutes: $760.00 ($190/quarter) If attending a second class per week, reduce the tuition of the second class by 25%.

Standard Sibling Discounts: please apply as necessary. For a second sibling, there is a 25% discount off that dancer’s total tuition. For a third sibling, fourth, etc., there is a 50% discount off that dancer’s total tuition and family registration fee is waived.

There will be a $15.00 late fee applied if tuition is not paid by due date. There will be a $12.00 fee for returned checks.

Payment and Registration can be paid in full or in quarterly installments. If paid in installments, payments are due no later than September 1 st 2013, November 15 th 2013, February 1 st 2014, April 15 th , 2014. Registration fee must be paid on first installment. Checks should be made payable to The Hurley School of Irish Dance. Mail check to:

The Hurley School of Irish Dance 9626 Olney-Laytonsville Rd. Laytonsville, MD 20882 2013 - 2014 Holiday Schedule Tuesday September 3rd: FALL CLASSES BEGIN Thursday, October 31st: HALLOWEEN: NO CLASSES Wednesday November 20th – Thursday, November 21st: THANKSGIVING BREAK Monday December 9th: NO CLASSES – OIREACHTAS TRAVEL DAY Monday December 23rd – Sunday, January 5th 2014: WINTER BREAK Monday January 20th: NO CLASSES – MLK DAY Monday April 14th – Sunday April 27th: SPRING BREAK Monday May 26th: NO CLASSES – MEMORIAL DAY Friday June 13th: LAST DAY OF SPRING CLASSES The Hurley School of Irish Dance will follow the Montgomery County School Closings for inclement weather.

Feiseanna Throughout the year, many Irish dance competitions are held all over North America. An Irish dance competition is referred to as a “feis,” or “feiseanna” in the plural form. There will be local feiseanna in the MD-D.C.-VA area that dancers will be encouraged to attend. Feiseanna will be explained in further detail when Fall classes begin. Please feel free to email Annie with any questions on upcoming feiseanna. North American Feis Schedule: www.northamericanfeiscommission.org

Performances As the Hurley School of Irish Dance continues to grow, opportunities for the Hurley School dancers to perform in the local area will arise- especially around St. Patrick’s Day! Sharing the culture and tradition of Irish dance through performing can be exciting, and is always a great opportunity. Performances are encouraged, but not required.

Posting Performances Online Parents may not post videos or pictures of performances or competitions involving any Hurley choreography online without permission from Annie.

Feis and Performance Attire All first year dancers who wish to participate in feiseanna and performances will be required to purchase the following: Girls: Red beginner skirt, gold shawl, white short-sleeve (peter-pan collar) blouse, poodle socks. Hair should be half-up/half-down curly (tied away from face) with red ribbon/scrunchie. Barrettes are permitted to keep hair out of face. More information on school skirts/shawls will be distributed in the Fall Season. Boys: Black pants, black dress socks, red dress shirt, gold tie.

Dancers (girls) who will be performing and competing multiple times per year will be required to buy a school dress. See Annie for more information on school dresses. Once dancers reach the novice level and above, girls may wear a solo dress with poodle socks, and boys may wear a dress shirt/tie of their choice with black pants and black dress socks. Dancers must consult Annie before solo dresses/shirts/ties are purchased.

School attire will be required for figure (team) dances.

Fundraising A separate fund exists specifically for the travel stipends of those dancers attending major championships each year. All dancers will receive a standard stipend towards their travel expenses to EITHER Nationals or Worlds. If dancers choose to attend both majors, they will have to pick which one they will use the stipend for. The amount given will be the same for all dancers. The amount will be based on the funds available in the travel stipend account. It will not exceed $250.00. The amount given in any specific year will be at the discretion of the teacher.

Any school-wide fundraisers/donations (i.e. Ceilis, performances, Hurleywear sales) will be split. 50% will go into the school umbrella fund that benefits the studio as a whole, and 50% will go into the major travel fund.

If the dancers who will be attending majors each year would like to come up with a fundraiser dedicated solely to their travel costs, it must be presented to Annie as a group fundraiser and the money made will be split evenly between all dancers. If more money is made than the cost of each dancer’s total flight, the money will be placed in the Hurley School stipend fund and roll over to the following major they have qualified for, or the following year. Dancers who wish to benefit from the majors fundraisers must participate.

Website The Hurley School of Irish Dance website can be found at www.hurleyirishdancers.com 8 School Phone and Address Book This year, there will be a school phone/address book available in the Fall. If you would not like to be included in it, please notify [email protected].