beginner

The Beginner - Novice "FEIS LOOK"

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COSTUMES

Girls have 3 options:

  1. Burke Connolly Beginner Skirt Costume (Skirt, Shawl & Embroidered long-sleeved Leotard);

  2. Burke Connolly Dress Costume; or

  3. ALL BLACK (The PRE-Costume) - Black long-sleeved Leotard & Black Opaque Skirt that hits 3-4” above the knees.

Poodle Socks- champion ankle length only!! No tall socks :) Click HERE to order. Use Code BURKECONNOLLY for 10% off!

Boys also have several options:

• Main Costume: Black Dress Pants (flat front), Black Dress Shirt & Black Dress Socks

• Hot Lime Green Tie MENS; BOYS OR Hot Lime Green Bow Tie:  MENS; BOYS

• Burke Connolly Vest (Optional Add-on for beginners)

**WHEN NOT PERFORMING, ALL DANCERS SHOULD WEAR BURKE CONNOLLY SPIRITWEAR!**

HAIR

Girls’ hair should be curled. You can curl hair naturally or purchase a wig.

NATURAL CURLS: Curl hair using sponge rollers or pin curls. HOW TO VIDEO on curling Hair with sponge rollers.

  • Start with DRY hair

  • Use SMALL sections of hair (The smaller the section of hair, the tighter the curl!)

  • Use Mousse (they don’t in the video. That will not hold!)

  • Do not twist the hair before rolling into the curler. That’s a different look.

  • Sleep in curlers overnight.

  • Take all curlers out the following morning.

    • DO NOT brush the curls out.  They should be tight.

  • Put hair in half pony tail, creating volume at front of head

  • Separate each curl into 3 smaller curls

  • Spray with aerosol hairspray

WIGS: Please talk with your teacher about which wig is preferred, as styles change.

HAIR ACCESSORIES: Burke Connolly Headband.  Headbands are handmade by our dressmaker Prime Dress Designs. These orders are placed every January & September.

  • Note: Bows are permitted on beginner dancers ages 6 and under ONLY.

Boys hair should be Clean and Neat and remain out of the eyes while dancing.

MAKE-UP

Beginner & Advanced Beginners:

NO make-up is permitted on Beginners under the age of 12.

Light make-up, consisting of light blush, lipstick or lip gloss, and neutral basic eye make-up (no crazy colors like blue!) may be worn on Beginners ages 12 & Over.

What is a FEIS?

What is a FEIS?

 You might have heard this strange word around the studio by now.  Other than performances, a FEIS is something our students LOVE to do!  

First, a wee bit O'history..

“FEIS”  (pronounced FESH)  is a Gaelic word that means festival. Many years ago in Ireland, the local towns would hold a Feis where the community would gather--Many entered contests to show their baking, music, dance and art skills.  

We keep these traditions alive today!  At a feis, registrants can compete in a variety of Irish cultural activities. In addition to the dancing competitions, we encourage our dancers and their families to enter the other competitions available: music, baking, singing and art!  Even our parents have entered (and won!) baking competition! Yum! 

Onstage action!

Onstage action!

What happens at a Feis?

At a Feis, competitors are split into age-groups such as U9 & U10-- meaning "under 9" and "under 10".  This is based on the Child's age on January 1st of the current year.

Dancers are then split into levels based on their ability and success at previous feiseanna (plural of feis).  

The levels are:  Beginner; Advanced Beginner; Novice; Prizewinner; Preliminary Championship; and Open Championship!  Dancer's move through the levels by fulfilling certain criteria. Each Year, the State of Georgia has Several Competitions:

January-  King O'Sullivan Winter Feis, in Atlanta
February  Feis Na Tara, in Atlanta
MayPeach State Feis, in Atlanta
NovemberFeis ATL & HOTlanta  in Atlanta

Finally, Click and Read :

"What to Expect the Day of the Feis" and "The Beginner Feis Look"

Some of our beginners practicing together at their very first feis!

Some of our beginners practicing together at their very first feis!

Don't forget to Practice!

The best way to ensure a fun and exciting feis is to help your dancer feel prepared!  

In class, we use visualization and roll playing techniques to make sure your dancer knows what to expect when they get on stage.  

At home, you can help, too!  Practicing at home will help ensure that they feel confident about their steps, which is key to creating a healthy relationship with the stage--whether it is at a feis or a performance!

Remember, a week between classes feels like a CENTURY to a child!  So, we've put together VIDEOS of each dance and skill your child is learning in class!  

They are all available on our private Students Only Page. From our Homepage, simply scroll to the bottom, click the "Students Only" button and insert the secret password!

 Kids can practice at home with Ms. Emma! :)