How Much are Dance Classes?
The tuition cost for a 1 hour long class for 1 child is $450 for a 9 month semester that runs from September through May. Tuition can be paid in manageable $50 per month payments direct debited, quarterly payments by check, money order or cash or you may pay in full for the 9 month semester. The yearly registration fee is $25 which is waived if tuition is paid in full for the 9 month semester. Siblings living in the same household receive a 15% discount. Family maximum monthly tuition for multiple children in the same household taking multiple classes is $325.
How Do I Register for Class?
Go here and fill out your conatct information and you will be sent further instructions. You may also click on "Registration Form" under "Register for Fall Classes" on the home page. Fill in all required fields and submit when finished.
What Upfront Costs Should I Expect for the First Year?
Other than registration and tuition costs, there are 2 types of additional costs.
1. Shoes: Irish dancers wears 2 types of shoes: soft shoes and hard shoes. Hard shoes are not worn until the second year of instruction.
Students dance in their socks until they are fitted for dance shoes by their teacher. Dancers are often able to purchase a used pair of shoes at a considerable savings from other O'Hare dancers. If they can't find a used pair, a shoe order usually occurs in October. Although it is desirable to purchase shoes at that time, it is not required until students are ready to perform, which is typically around March. Girls wear a soft ballet like shoe (ghillie) that cost about $42. Boys wear a jazz type shoe that can be purchased at local dance stores.
2. Costumes: O'Hare school costumes are required for all performances, which begin with St. Patrick's Day 'Green Season' in March, for the dance revue/recital in April, and for competitions. Performances are highly encouraged, but if your child does not wish to perform, a costume is not necessary.
Costumes are rented from The O'Hare Booster Club, which the family must join in order to rent a costume, the annual membership fee is $15. The Booster Club (a separate organization from the Dance School) has operated this way for the past few years but may make adjustments to their rules and cost for future semesters. Once you are a member you will have the opportunity to vote and have a say on how the costume fees, membership fees etc. are handled.
The costume for a female dancer up to age 13 consists of an embroidered jumper that is worn over a white leotard and bloomers, accompanied by 'poodle socks'. The jumper rental fee is $30 for the year; students purchase the accessories: leotard, bloomers and socks, which total about $30. (Note that this same costume will be worn the second year; the accessories can be used both years without an additional purchase the second year, but the jumper rental fee is an annual fee.) [Total cost last year was: $15 membership fee + $30 rental + $30 accessories]
Female dancers over age 13 are fitted in a more elaborate traditional Irish dance dress, for which the rental fee is $75. Accessories to purchase include bloomers, socks, and brooches, which total about $30-$40. [Total cost last year was: $15 membership fee + $75 rental + $30-$40 accessories]
As with shoes, gently used accessories can often be purchased at a discount from O'Hare dancers who have grown or moved into the solo costumes worn by advanced dancers.
Male dancers rent a cumberbund for $15, which is worn with a white shirt, black pants and socks that most students already own. [Total cost last year was: $15 membership fee + $15 rental]
What is The O'Hare Booster Club?
The O'Hare Irish Dance Booster Club, Ohio, Inc. is a tax exempt, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, whose mission is to function as the primary economic support vehicle for local Irish dance students. They raise funds to purchase costumes for students to rent, support dancers who qualify for world competitions, and sponsor a variety of events open to all students to enhance their dance skills and opportunities. The minimal annual $15 fee provides the Boosters with base funds to support their activities for the year. The O'Hare Dance Booster Club, Ohio, Inc. has traditionally supported Tim O'Hare dancers in Akron, Medina and Cleveland.
A note on costume rental: Costume rental is a significant benefit to students; the yearly rental fee ensures that all students wear appropriate, well-fitted costumes. Costumes are fitted to students and altered or replaced as needed to accommodate growth at no charge. This service is a terrific value. If the Booster Club did not provide rentals, students would have to purchase and re-sell their outgrown costumes to other students, which would be very costly. New jumpers are purchased from dressmakers by the Booster Club for $150 each, and rented to members for an annual fee of $30; new school dresses are purchased for $350-$400 each, and rented to members for an annual fee of $75.
Is This Competitive Dance?
Irish dancers can only compete at Irish Dance competitions if their school has a teacher who has passed The Irish Dancing Teachers Examination administered by the governing body of Irish dancing worldwide, An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha. Both Tim O'Hare and Eileen O'Kennedy Dunlap are certified teachers (TCRG's). Therefore, students in the school may, if they choose to, participate in a judged dance competition called a feis (pronounced fesh, which Gaelic for festival). Many dancers may choose not to compete for the first year or two or longer. When they choose to compete they are grouped with other dancers who share their same age and experience level. For example; a 6 year old child dancing in her first feis would only compete with other 6 year olds in their first feis. As students continue to compete and progress in their scores and placements, they advance to the next level of competition but remain with their own age group. Competitions are held throughout the Midwest region, North America and the world almost every weekend of the year. A listing of these competitions can be found at www.northamericanfeiscommission.org
What Dancing Opportunities are Available to O'Hare Irish Dancers?
In addition to competing, O'Hare dancers are invited frequently to dance in our community. We have danced at nursing homes, schools, church functions, community festivals/events, country clubes, parades, sporting events, televised news programs etc. Highlights include the Cleveland and Akron St. Patrick's Day parades, Akron's First Night, Cleveland Cavaliers games, Akron Choral Society's Spring Spectacular, Arts in Stark events, Cuyahoga Falls Irish Festival, etc.
