Membership information
Hello and welcome to the Sweeney-McAvinchey Irish dance school in Landstuhl !
Whether you have been with us for a while or you are just joining the school for the first time, we are sure that you are going to enjoy your experience with our school. We pride ourselves on not only teaching top quality Irish dancing but also striving to ensure that every class is a fun & social experience for each dancer. Our family spirit within in the school has been present from it's very beginning and we know that you will be another part of our ever growing family.
The school now has locations across Germany and is one of Europe's leading dance schools and is a credit to the popularity of traditional Irish dance in Mainland Europe.
Our school comprises of dancers of all ages! Many of our dancers compete regularly in competitions (‘Feisanna’) around Europe and some of them have reached the level to compete at the highest level, we currently have multiple European title holders and two of our dancers currently ranked in the top 10 of the world.
Of course competition is not for everyone and many dancers enjoy the exercise and of course the joy of learning this exciting dance form! Our school is under the auspices of An Comisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha which is the largest Irish dance organization in the world.
www.clrg.ie
Happy Dancing!
Mary, Shane & The Sweeney McAvinchey Teachers.
Structure of “Tir na nOg”
Tir na nOg is the name of our dance company but our Tir na nOg dancers compete under the “Sweeney-McAvinchey School” in National and International Feiseanna. We have two locations operating under the Sweeney-McAvinchey name - Landstuhl / Ramstein and Munich. Mary Sweeney directs the Landstuhl location and the Munich location is directed by Shane McAvinchey. Please note that the schools are not connected financially meaning all course fees / tuition fees are separate to each location and cannot be carried over to another.
Costumes
Beginner / Primary
All Beginner & Primary dancers who wish to compete must have a full class costume. Please speak to your teacher to find out how to order a costume.
Intermediate / Prelim / Open
Intermediate & Open dancers may purchase a solo costume. These costumes can be quite expensive therefore all dancers must speak to the teacher before placing an order for a solo costume. The teacher will advise on what sort of costume will benefit the dancer most.
Feisanna (Irish dance competitions)
Whilst competing is not for everyone, we do encourage that all of our dancers compete in Feisanna which are held in cities across Europe throughout the year. We particularly encourage our dancers to take part in the Ramstein Feis in October and the Munich feis which takes place at the end of the June each year. Feisanna are a great way to inspire dancers to practice and perfect their steps and also a great chance to meet and watch dancers of other schools.
Competitions are split into age groups and offer Beginner, Primary, Intermediate & Open levels. Once you have learned your Beginners Reel you are eligible to compete in that dance! There is no problem if anyone doesn't want to compete and simply wants to dance for fun, but we can guarantee that once you do your first feis you will want to do more and more, because they ARE fun!
Performances/Recitals
All our dancers get a chance to perform!! Whether its St Patricks Day parades or pub gigs or our annual Christmas Show and Summer Recital we prepare dancers for all of these performances. We have also being known to perform at Stadtfests and Military Marching fests. Costumes are provided by the school.
In the dance class...
All dancers should wear comfortable clothes to class - shorts and t-shirt are ideal.
Adults can choose to wear whatever they feel most comfortable in, keep in mind that you WILL be sweating! Beginners can just wear trainers / socks on their feet for the first few classes but will then be encouraged to order the appropriate dance shoes.
We do recommend that beginner dancers wear the school t shirt and black shorts which can be purchased at the dance school.
All Intermediate & Open Children/Teen dancers must wear Poodle socks to class. All dancers MUST wear their dancing shoes in class at all times.
Please remember that when you are in class you are there to learn. Full attention and respect must be paid to the teacher and any mistreating of fellow class members will absolutely not be tolerated.
Everyone is in class to have fun but also to learn. If you listen to your teacher and remain courteous in class, there will be no problems.
Please keep the changing rooms and studio tidy at all times.
Remember to keep any valuables with you at all times or just leave them at home! We will not be held responsible for any lost or damaged items.
CLASS FEES
Stretch/Strengthening Classes for all levels
These classes are highly recommended for all Irish dancers and form the basis of dancing your steps to the best of your ability.
Classes run every Friday 4pm for beginners and primaries and 4.30pm to 5pm for advanced. 15 euros a month.
Drop In Class: 14 Euros
First Trial class is Free for new dancers.
Payments can be made by bank monthly on the 1st of every month during each Semester ; September 1st - January 1st
Spring Semester : February 1st, June 1st
Bank details
Account Name: Mary Sweeney
Deutsche Bank
Kaiserslautern
IBAN : DE35 5407 0024 0020 184800
IBIC : DEUT DEDB 540
or by cash at the postbox at the studio on the first dance day of each month or quarter.
How do we register for weekly classes ?
Each dancer must register by filling out the online form.
You can find the form here - https://mursweeney.wufoo.com/build/irish-dance-registration-landstuhl-2021-2022
You must choose which weekly classes you will attend and stick with those days. It is not allowed to choose weekly which day you will attend class. Consult your teacher if you need to do a make up and we will see if one is available at your dancers level.
If, for some reason, you decide that you would like to change your day, you may do so at the end of a month as long as the class you would like to attend is not fully booked. Please contact Ms Mary directly if you wish to change your class day.
A one-off membership payment of 25EUR is required from every dancer in the school each year.
This fee will go towards the following costs:
It will entitle every member to the following:
Terms & Conditions
You must register in advance for each class you would like to take, you will not be able to pick and choose which class you attend on a week to week basis.
Class cancellation policy
A class will be cancelled if less than 5 dancers register.
If less than three dancers show up for class then that class will be cancelled.
If your class is cancelled because not enough dancers show up then you are welcome to join another “make up class” during the week that is of your level.
If you know that you are not going to make a class you should email us right away to let us know. We will try and inform dancers in good time, via email & text message, if a class has to be cancelled.
Remember, if you do not let us know that you will not make it, there may be dancers who travel to class only to be told to go home again.
Please try and make it to all classes!!
Cancellation of membership
You may cancel your membership with Sweeney McAvinchey Irish dance School after you have given us 3 months notice.
This should be done by email and should be done at the end of a quarter. After 3 months has passed, from notice of cancellation, you may stop your payments.
No refunds can be given due to injury.
Agreement
You hereby agree that the Sweeney-McAvinchey staff will not be held liable for any accident, injury or loss or damage of property occurred at any Sweeney-McAvinchey organized events or classes in person or online.
You agree to comply with the conditions set out in this document.
You agree that in the case of competitions of performances it is up to the Sweeney-McAvinchey directors to decide who can take part in these events.
You agree that while you are a member of Sweeney-McAvinchey Irish dance school you may not be a part of any other Irish dance class, group, workshop or organization unless special permission has been granted by the Sweeney-McAvinchey directors.
This is in accordance with the rules set out by “An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha” the worldwide association of Irish dance with whom we are affiliated.
You agree to abide by the rules set out by CLRG while a member of Sweeney-McAvinchey Irish dance school.
FOR CHAMPIONSHIP DANCERS ONLY -
Stipulations for competing in Preliminary, Open and Major Championships under the Sweeney-McAvinchey dance school Germany:
Stipulations for competing in Preliminary, Open and Major Championships under the Sweeney-McAvinchey dance school Germany:
These are stipulations that must be met by any dancer who wishes to compete at the highest level. Teachers decision is final and exceptions may be made upon review of individual dancers' circumstances.
Once you have filled in the online registration form and paid the registration fee you are a member of the school and agree to abide by the rules above.
We wish you a happy, successful and fulfilling journey with Irish dance and the Sweeney McAvinchey Irish Dance School.
Best regards,
Mary & Shane
School Directors.
Get in Touch
email: info@irishdancegermany.com