I quit Irish dancing 2 years ago when i was 11 and in Novice, do you think i can start back up again?

Question

Im 13 now and, am still pretty fit and remember almost all of the steps, but i don't know if i would qualify for competition because of my age. And if it would help, i was about to enter Prizewinners before I quit but I'm pretty sure if I started back up I wouldn't be one.

Answer 1

Try!

it cant hurt :)

just practice really hard!

Answer 2

Hi Jessica,

There is one thing anyone interested in Irish dancing needs to know: "starting too late" is a myth!

Michael Flatley, who essentially made Irish dancing famous, began dancing at age eleven. He was considered “too old” to begin dancing competitively…seems that the consensus was wrong, seeing how he is now considered by many to be the best Irish dancer of all time, does it not? You would enjoy perusing the below link.

http://www.dance.net/topic/2142622/1/Iri

You might be interested in reading this one, too:

http://www.michaelflatley.com/biography....

This site has success stories from adults who started dancing in their late twenties and made it to Worlds, etcetera.

http://www.dance.net/topic/3535707/1/Iri...

Justin Boros began dancing at age fifteen. He was very determined, and after much hard work, he auditioned for Lord of the Dance in 1999, was accepted, and now dances with of one of the troupes performing here in the U.S.

I really think that the bottom line as far as progressing in Irish dancing is concerned is determination…But remember, the minute you stop enjoying the dance, so that you are focusing solely on the competition aspect, it is no longer worth the effort you are putting into the dance. Even if you succeed, you won't be happy in what you are accomplishing. Don't make your dream a nightmare. Every time you begin to "morph" over something, whether in regards to not moving ahead as quickly as you would like, or not placing the way you had hoped, just refocus your mind...relish every moment of the dance; create goals, but do not let those goals take over your life. **As a side note**-- Judges will notice whether or not you take pleasure in what you are doing; it really makes a difference. Don't get discouraged; just remember to work hard, dance hard, and have fun! Everyone else in competition is in the same boat as you; they might be at an "advantage" because they started earlier than you, but if you work hard, you can do just as well as anyone else! Keep Michael Flatley and Justin Boros in mind. :)

Here are some sites with information that will help to propel you along as you learn Irish dance.

http://www.theconnorswebsite.com/irishda...

http://www.olivehurley.com/

http://irishbutterfly.server298.com/

http://www.irishdancer.com/

http://www.dance.net/irishbeginners.html

http://www.irish-dancer.co.uk/

The below links contain sites with music and instructional videos, a few of which videos were created by masters like Jean Butler (the lead female dancer with Riverdance). Obviously, the steps in the instructional videos will be different from the steps you are learning in your school...If you think you will get confused, then it would be better not to look into the instructional videos...

http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcount...

http://bookguy.com/irish/irish_dance.htm

http://www.securesearch.org/irish_dance/

http://www.irishrecords.com/

http://www.murphyroche.com/About/Our_CDs...

http://search.ebay.com/irish-dance-cds_W...

http://www.activevideos.com/irish.htm?gc...

http://www.irishdancer.com/music.htm

Also, I concur with Emland regarding you dancing in Novice U15 for a while...but I also think you'll be qualified for Prizewinner in no time!

You have a leg up on many others…you've danced before!

God bless! :) Hope I helped.

P.S.

I stopped dancing for a while, due to ill health, but I jumped right back in after I recuperated...and I'm much older than you are! :) Once you dance Irish, a fire is lit inside of you...so it's really hard to give it up. :)

Answer 3

yeah,work hard and make sure you want it

Answer 4

I know absolutely nothing about Irish dancing, but I do know that human beings are capable of almost anything we set our minds to do.



If you are willing to work for it, you can do it.  Don't try to predict the outcome - just go for it.

Answer 5

Of course you can! I quit Irish Dance a year and 6 months ago, but I am going back! Hey, know what, join my group. here is the link:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irsh_dnce_...

Have fun! Also, the YMCA is offering a program where you make an appointment and they get the dance instructor and you work with them. I am going to do that. I think it's nation wide. And, you can always compete. There is absolutely NO age restrictions as long as you are over 5 or so. God Lucck!!

Good Luck!!

Irish Dance for Life

Answer 6

I'm 41 and compete, so age has nothing to do with it.  You would dance in Novice U15,  until you get yourself established again.  It shouldn't take you long to qualify for Prizewinner.

Answer 7

I'm an Irish Dancer too, and with my school (Burke) if you are in the beginner class you automaticly move up to beginner, and in Group A you move to adv. Beginner and so on. My friend broke her leg and couldnt dance for a year (because it was sore) and she was in novice, and she started back up in novice too. As long as you still have your eFeis account you can.

God Bless, and Good Luck with dance,

Emmie