All human beings have basic instincts to self-expression and movement to rhythm. Dancers, by honing their abilities, can simply take these instincts to a higher artistic level. Irish dancers, with the right training, develop:

• superior strength, stamina, and coordination

• improved mental skills such as attention span and memorization

• healthy levels of discipline and competitiveness balanced with improved teamwork skills and sportsmanship

• greater appreciation for not only Irish dance and culture, but all other arts and cultures

• lasting friendships with not only classmates and teachers, but with competitors and members of the Irish dance community as a whole.

Not exactly. Riverdance and the many other stage productions it inspired feature a conglomeration of Irish, ballet, tap, and even other folk dance forms. It is, in fact, Irish dance presented with a wide variety of other dance forms to appeal to modern mainstream audiences.

Irish dance apart from the stage productions is actually quite different, though the footwork is no less intricate. It is also more social in nature and rooted in centuries-old traditions.

The myriads of theories tend to range from fanciful to downright bizarre. One attributes Irish dance’s unique posture to overcrowding at wildly popular house dances during the days when Irish dance was illegal. Dancers in such cramped conditions had to keep their arms down or risk hurting someone.

A good dance teacher shares common goals with his or her students: to learn and share the joy of learning. Development of individual talents and teamwork are both fostered. But credentials are also important. Non-certified schools may do a good job, but they do not provide the same competitive or professional opportunities certified schools do.

To ensure the preservation of authentic Irish dance and maintain a high standard of quality, numerous Irish dance federations have developed rigorous standards for instructors. Only after passing a number of exams on dancing, teaching, and music are instructors issued their certifications.