The Nashville Irish Step Dancers

The Nashville Irish Step Dancers (NISD) is a dance school that has become a beacon for the Irish community in Nashville. NISD has cultivated the centuries-old passed down traditional Irish dance steps and has bridged the gap between today's progressive dance, by creating new innovative steps of their own. The dancers have fostered a deeper appreciation of Irish heritage through their many performances at area schools, nursing homes, churches and festivals. NISD provides a family environment in which students learn not only how to dance, but develop poise, grace, self-confidence and friendships with dancers of all ages. NISD will continue to “carry the Celtic torch” and preserve its Irish heritage and tradition in Nashville's multi-cultural society.

 

We are a “full-service” Irish dance school, offering the many aspects of Irish dance including all levels of competition, solo and team dancing, performances, learning the tradition of the Irish culture and having a great time. Our staff firmly believes that our families are the top priority. You choose the level of involvement that's right for you. Some students may want to simply learn a few traditional tunes or jig steps. Others may look forward to the thrill of stepping out on stage; be it a parish party or a sold-out theater. Still others may have aspirations of reaching championship level competition. Any and all are possible with the Nashville Irish Step Dancers. Regardless of the direction you choose, the ultimate goal is to provide the best instruction possible. We strive to instill a sense of belonging, direction, spirit, confidence and self-motivation in each and every child that enters our classroom.

 

What to wear to class:

• Shorts, leggings, capris, or leotard & tights (NO jeans, pants of any kind, long skirts or tight restrictive clothing)

• T-Shirts

• White Socks

• Gym Shoes or Dance Shoes

• Hair must be pulled back into a ponytail. If too short for a pony tail, hair must be pulled back away from face.

• No gum chewing in class!

• Our recommended classroom attire helps keep the class looking uniform. It allows the instructors to see the dancer's legs and feet and helps set the tone for a good workout. If your child comes to class dressed inappropriately, they will be asked to sit out and watch.

• Gym Shoes are great when you are just starting out. The instructor may ask the students to dance in their socks until they have the proper dance shoes. We, also, have shoes for resale in the back room.

 

What to expect as a beginner:

• Your beginner year will be very exciting! Your child will attend class once a week for one hour. The students are taught the basics of Irish step dancing, as well as drills and exercises to develop their form and technique. Dancers will be taught both traditional and original solo material as well as ceili (group) dancing.

• In class the dancers may also be joined by one of Mary's assistant teachers. These assistant teachers, usually advanced level dancers are there to assist the class, help provide more one-on-one attention, and to begin to develop their teaching skills as an apprentice.

• The activity of the class will include foot positioning, muscle development, exercises, and short drills, created to improve key dance moves, music and lots of fun. Repetition is a key factor at the beginning level.

• Our classroom style is very similar to the classes taught in Ireland and England . Dancers typically remain in the beginner class for 9-18 months. Mary will keep you and your child informed of their progress as well as what is requested of them in terms of practice and in-class participation.

• The beginner level is meant to act as a “sampler” course, giving the dancers a taste of all the elements of Irish dance. Later in the year we will distribute a more detailed explanation of the class structure and tracks for your reference. In the meantime, we will encourage your dancer to enjoy Irish dance… laughing, skipping and hopping at every class!

 

Registration

If you would like to register for our classes you can complete our online reservation form by clicking on the link below  If you need additional information about the classes Call Mary Moran at 615.578.7368 or email her at nisdteachr@gmail.com