Welcome Letter PDF

September 13, 2009

Welcome, new dancer. The following information may answer some of your questions about Irish dance and the McTeggart Irish Dancers. We encourage you to visit www.kyirishdancers.org for additional information.

The McTeggart Irish Dancing School operates under the direction of Maureen McTeggart Hall, TCRG, ADCRG. There are also McTeggart schools in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Mrs. Hall has decades of experience as a teacher and adjudicator and her present students include World and regional champions.

Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers, Inc. (KMID), is the non-profit parent-run organization that is responsible for the details of the school’s day-to-day affairs, including paying for rental of studio space, coaching, collecting tuition and fees, and insurance coverage. Parent volunteers organize performances in the community and take care of all details related to fulfilling KMID’s mission statement. The Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers' mission is to build healthy bodies through traditional Irish dance, cultivate confident spirits through accomplishment, and foster a sense of heritage through cultural enrichment and community service.

2009-2010 KMID Board of Directors

President-Cheryl Anderson (canderson@twalex.com)

Vice-President-Ben O’Daniel (ben.odaniel@jeanfarris.com)

            Treasurer-Eddie Mattingly (mattingly@windstream.net)

Secretary-John Cooney (john3990@insightbb.com)

Membership-Laura Bereda (lbereda@insightbb.com)

Coach Representative-Allison Asay (allison.asay@gmail.com) or Brooke Harris      (bec719@mindspring.com)

2009-2010 Non-Board Positions

Consignment-Erin Lennon (lennon5@windsteam.net)

            Keepers of the Dance Boards-

Emilie McCauley (irishacres@earthlink.net)

Pam Stewart (stewart206@aol.com)

            Hospitality-Elise Bray (delongbray@gmail.com)

Newsletter-Trish Whipp (tawhipp@yahoo.com)

Performances-

Allison Asay (allison.asay@gmail.com) and Brooke Harris (bec719@mindspring.com)

         Webmaster-Tracey Meyers (iamtraceym@insightbb.com)

Coaches

Allison Asay (allison.asay@gmail.com)

Brooke Harris (bec719@mindspring.com)

Abby Bray (delongbray@gmail.com)

Madison Stewart (irishphantom2412@insightbb.com)

Class Schedule -- Beginner class is held in the 3rd floor studio at Arts Place, 161 N. Mill Street in Lexington, Kentucky from 2:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. on Sundays.

Fees and tuition are paid quarterly. Beginners pay two separate fees:  (1) $60.00 per quarter to KMID, Inc. to cover coaching and other expenses and (2) Mrs. Hall’s tuition of $90.00 per quarter for one dancer or $150.00 per quarter if there is more than one dancer in the family. The check to Mrs. Hall should be made out to Maureen McTeggart Hall. The amount includes association registration and tuition by an accredited instructor. Before the beginning of the quarter, a reminder will be sent by e-mail. Both checks should be mailed in a timely manner to:

                        Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers, Inc.

                        P. O. Box 115

                        Lexington, KY  40588-0115

Tuition and fee payments must be current in order for a dancer to compete and payments are due, whether a dancer attends all of his/her scheduled classes, or not.  If a student decides that Irish dance is not for them, kindly notify the Treasurer, in writing, before the beginning of the next quarter so that our records can be updated.

What to wear to dance--All dancers wear shorts or skorts, a modest shirt (no camisoles, strappy, or low-cut tops), white socks (“poodle” socks are available locally at Failte, an Irish shop, 203 S. Limestone, Lexington--http://failteimports.com/ and online from sites where dance shoes are sold), and soft ballet-type shoes or Irish dance shoes called ghillies. Boys wear reel shoes. Used shoes may be available. Erin Lennon (lennon5@windstream.net) has a collection of used shoes for sale. New shoes may be purchased online (www.irishshoes.com/ is a wonderful source). It takes some time for most dancers to advance to doing dances requiring hard shoes. Mrs. Hall or the coaches will let students know when they are ready to find hard shoes.

Dancers’ code of behavior--It is expected that all members of KMID will be respectful of one another, attentive to the teachers and coaches, polite, and punctual. KMID shares the studios at Arts Place with other organizations and there are times when space in the hallway or lobby is tight. Please be considerate. Never chew gum in or take food into the studios. Bottles of water are allowed. Only dancers, instructors, and one parent monitor are permitted in the studio during class.

Performances--The McTeggarts are asked to dance at parades, festivals, libraries, restaurants, schools, churches, nursing homes, and at private functions such as meetings, concerts, and wedding celebrations. Most performances are open to all qualified dancers--new beginners will be told by the coaches when they are ready to sign up and participate. Performing in public is not required but can be a fun experience, even for young dancers. Opportunities to appear are announced by e-mail by the performance coordinator. Costume requirements vary by level. Beginner girls wear a white long-sleeve shirt, red ribbon tie, an above the knee length black skirt/bloomers, neat hair, McTeggart braided headband, poodle socks, and appropriate dance shoes. Boys wear black formal trousers, white shirt, red tie, and dance shoes. (Many of these can be obtained from older dancers or borrowed.) The black velvet McTeggart school dresses, worn at all McTeggart dance schools, are not required for new beginners. The colorful solo dresses are not necessary before the dancer reaches the Novice level.

Competition--McTeggart dancers belong to an accredited dance school enabling them to compete at feiseanna (Irish dance competitions held under the auspices of the CLRG/NAFC, the governing organizations of Irish dance as practiced by this school). Some children are very interested in taking part in competitions, moving through the various levels of skill and participating in competitions held across North America. For those dancers, this path can be very rewarding. For other dancers, the fun of dance, learning new steps, doing an occasional performance, and making new friends is equally satisfying. It is always up to the individual child and their family to decide. However, all dancers are expected to practice on their own during the week in order to improve. This level of commitment is expected from everyone. Class times are somewhat limited and it is absolutely necessary that people do practice. Beginners will be given CDs with practice music to help them.

Questions---Most parents can help you find the right person to ask. Dance questions are addressed to the coaches. Payment questions go to the Treasurer. Performance questions are directed to the Performance coordinator, and so on. Any specific questions concerning the running of the school should be directed to the President. Any experienced parent will be happy to share information concerning sources for shoes, socks, wigs, and all the rest.