FAQs

Irish dancing is for everyone!

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At KIDC, we pride ourselves on offering classes to all, in an inclusive and welcoming environment. You don't need any Irish heritage to try Irish dancing. We're committed to the celebration of traditional Irish dancing, which includes sharing it with a global community of dancers, athletes, and artists.

There is no age limit in Irish dancing! At KIDC, we accept students ages 5 to 95. We split classes by both age group and level, so everyone can find the right fit. If you or your child want to try, we want to teach you. It's as simple as that.

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For kids who will have their 5th birthday between New Beginner enrollment periods, we may be able to make an exception and enroll at 4 1/2 or older - just ask. 

Irish dance teaches so many valuable things, from self-confidence and resilience to time-management, and from better posture and greater flexibility to better overall physical fitness, a sense of rhythm and musicality, and the ability to collaborate and be part of a team.​

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Some dancers go on to perform professionally in touring productions, or compete as part of collegiate dance teams. Others might themselves become certified to teach in the future! 

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And, of course, taking Irish dance classes means celebrating a rich cultural heritage and keeping traditions alive.

KIDC offers 10-week New Beginner Sessions for kids and adults with no Irish dancing experience twice annually, in the Spring and the Fall. If you're interested in a New Beginner Session, we encourage you to contact us at info@kyneirishdance.com and add your name to the waitlist between sessions. When enrollment opens for the next session, you'll be the first to know. We promise it's worth the wait!

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For dancers with prior Irish dance experience, we allow new students to register with the school year-round, pending an interview and skills evaluation with teaching staff to appropriately place you or your child in an existing class.

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If a student previously danced with another CLRG-registered Irish dance school, KIDC staff may need to submit a transfer notification to the organization and a previous teacher when registering you or your child for classes. Dancers should note that as of January 1, 2026, transferring from one CLRG school to another incurs a 3-month restyling period or "ban" during which a dancer may not compete. For more information about transfers, please email us at info@kyneirishdance.com.

We do not offer free standalone trial classes, but our New Beginner Sessions are priced to include one class free as part of the package! We want new students to have the best introduction possible to Irish dancing, and we believe that trying it out via a structured, pre-planned module offers the best experience. 

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For Advanced and Championship dancers interested in joining an existing class, we do encourage viewing a class as an observer, to determine whether KIDC is a good fit for your goals and preferred coaching style. 

Competing is not a requirement for any student, and KIDC classes may be taken purely recreationally. We also offer advanced teen/adult classes for those who may have competed in the past, but now just want to stay in shape and have fun!

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However, we are a boutique competitive program and we encourage students to learn and grow through participation in local, national, and international contests. We believe that students can materially improve as dancers and as people through outreach to and collaboration with their peers, and through engagement with the wider global community of dance. KIDC fosters an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for all, regardless of individual skill levels or competitive goals.

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If this doesn't sound like the right fit for you or your child, we can make recommendations for other local opportunities. 

It depends on the class and your level.

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New Beginner classes for any age do not require special shoes or other equipment. We want Irish dancing to be accessible and equitable - and that means making sure anyone and everyone can try it out, without needing to purchase specific footwear. Athletic sneakers, socks, or soft canvas ballet-style slippers (not pointe shoes), if already owned, are all perfect options for a New Beginner Session.

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Traditional Irish dancing involves two styles of shoe: a soft leather lace-up slipper colloquially referred to as a softshoe or light shoe, and a stiffer shoe similar to a tap shoe, with fiberglass taps and heels, known as a hardshoe or heavy shoe. KIDC dancers who enroll in Continuing Learner 1 classes and above must have a pair of softshoes to participate. Hardshoes are introduced over time, with dancers at the Continuing Learner 2 level and above regularly practicing in these shoes. Both soft and hard shoes can be purchased new or used online, or from another KIDC dancer. Teaching staff should be consulted before you buy your first pair of either shoe type to help ensure a good fit.

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Advanced Teen & Adult drop-in class dancers may wear athletic sneakers or traditional soft and hard Irish dance shoes.

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Otherwise, regular athletic clothes are perfect for a dance class at KIDC! There's no other equipment to bring or buy, though KIDC-branded workout gear is available for purchase if desired.

We are registered with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), the oldest and largest international governing body in Irish dance, and our Director is a certified T.C.R.G. with that same organization. Our students participate only in CLRG-sanctioned and -run competitions.

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Locally, our Director is a registered member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) and CLRG's Western US Region (WUSR).

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All teaching staff at KIDC are SafeSport-certified and trained in child and dancer safety and protection.

Yes, you can book KIDC performers for concerts, events, private parties and more! Email us at info@kyneirishdance.com with the details and we'll get back to you with our availability.

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Please note, we are able to accommodate requests for dancers 18+ or 21+ for venues that require it.