WELCOME TO THE SWEENEY MCAVINCHEY IRISH DANCE SCHOOL MUNICH
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 us.
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 the school has been present from its 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. We are registered with An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha which is the largest Irish dance organization in the world and all of our teachers are fully vetted.
Below, you'll discover a concise overview of key highlights from our Terms and Conditions document. We kindly ask that you take a moment to read the document carefully.
Happy Dancing!
The Sweeney McAvinchey Teachers.
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PASSION, DEDICATION, SUCCESS!
Our dancers don't only learn movement, musicality & performance skills. They also learn how dedication, passion and perseverance can help to improve, develop and succeed with confidence. Dancers are some of the hardest workers on the planet and Irish dancers are no different.
OUR SCHOOL
STRUCTURE
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 Ana Garcia Moheno. All course schedules, registrations, events, tuition fees etc., are separate to each location but we come together as a team for competitions, workshops & performances.
CLRG
Our school is under the auspices of An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha which is the largest Irish dance organization in the world. We have fully qualified Irish dance teachers (TCRG), one of whom is also a qualified adjudicator (ADCRG). All our teachers are fully police vetted for child protection and hold certificates in child safety.
COMPETITION
Whilst competing is not for everyone and are not compulsory, we do encourage that all of our dancers compete in Feiseanna (Irish dance competitions). There are held in cities across Europe throughout the year. We particularly encourage our dancers to take part in the Munich Feis which takes place at the end of the June each year. Feiseanna 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.
GRADES
Our dancers are guided through the CLRG Grade exam program which, upon completion of the 12th grade, can qualify a dancer for the TCRG teachers exam. We encourage all of our dancers to begin taking their grades throughout their dancing journey.
PERFORMANCES
Our school performs regularly throughout the year, a highlight being the St. Patrick’s Day parade which takes place in Munich every March. We invite and encourage all of our dancers to perform on stage with the troupe, a great chance for them to show off what they have achieved in the studio!
RULES
As our school is registered with the global Irish dance commission (CLRG) we must adhere to their rules and policies. We therefore ask that you read carefully through the information below to fully understand what it means to be a member of our school.
IN THE DANCE CLASS
WHAT TO WEAR & BRING?
All dancers should wear sport shorts and a comfortable t-shirt to class, all black if possible. 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.
All Intermediate & Open Children/Teen dancers must wear Poodle socks to class. All dancers MUST wear their dancing shoes in class at all times.
ETIQUETTE
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.
THE STUDIO
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.
ON STAGE
All Beginner & Primary dancers who wish to compete or perform must have a full class costume. Please speak to your teacher to find out how to order a costume. 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.
SCHEDULE
PRICES
MEMBERSHIP TIERS & PAYMENT
Class fees are taken from a yearly fee and split into four quarterly payments.
- Quarterly payments must be made on the first day of the following months: October, January, April & July.
- Our dancing year goes from September 1st - August 31st except for pre-determined class holidays, bank holidays & Bavarian school holidays.
There are four payment categories depending on your level and amount of classes per week.
TIR NA NOG
One 45mins dance class a week.
At least 34 dance classes throughout the year.
Payment Options:
Quarterly fee - 150€
BRONZE
One dance class a week, (Easy Reel and above)
At least 34 dance classes throughout the year.
Payment Options:
Quarterly fee - 171€
SILVER
Two dance classes a week.
At least 68 dance classes throughout the year.
Payment Options:
Quarterly fee - 255€
GOLD
Three or more dance classes a week.
At least 102 dance classes throughout the year.
Payment Options:
Quarterly fee - 355€
REGISTRATION
Each dancer must register by filling the online form below
- 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.
- If classes are offered both online and in person, you must register for the in person class before enrolling in the online class.
- If, for some reason, you decide that you would like to change your day, you may do so at the end of a quarter as long as the class you would like to attend is not fully booked. Please contact us if you wish to change your class day.
A once-off yearly membership payment of 22EUR is required from every dancer in the school upon registration.
This fee will go towards the following costs:
- Studios
- Administration costs
- RCCEA / CLRG school registration fee
- Insurance
All registered members are entitled to the following:
- Chosen amount of monthly classes
- Newsletter
- Participation at competitions under the "Sweeney-McAvinchey school" name
- Participation at Grade Exams under the “Sweeney McAvinchey school” name
- Participation in the Munich St.Patrick's day parade & other performances throughout the year
TERMS & CONDITIONS
€€ Discounts €€
There is a siblings discount of 3EUR per month for every extra child
Class cancellation policy
- A class will be shortened to only one hour when 5 dancers or less turn up.
- A class will be cancelled if less than 6 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 to 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 us 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 have passed, from notice of cancellation, you may stop your payments.
No refunds will be given due to injury or sickness.
AGREEMENT:
By registering you agree to the following rules set out by our dance school:
Make sure you read the complete Terms and Conditions delivered to your email as well as reading this webpage.
Agreement
- You agree to comply with the conditions set out in this document.
- You hereby agree that the Sweeney-McAvinchey staff 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 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.
Stipulations for competing in Preliminary, Open and Major Championships under the Sweeney-McAvinchey dance school Germany:
- In order to compete in an Open Championship in Mainland Europe a dancer must:
- Know all required dances and steps fully.
- Placed 1st in at least one Intermediate dance.
- Have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
- In order to compete in a Preliminary Championship outside Mainland Europe a dancer must:
- Know all required dances and steps fully.
- Dance in an Open championship in Mainland Europe.
- Have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
- In order to compete in an open championship outside Mainland Europe (excluding major championships) a dancer must:
- Know all required dances and steps fully.
- Place in top 5 of a championship in Mainland Europe and/or placed in the top 5 in a Prelim Championship outside Mainland Europe.
- Must have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
- In order to compete in the Mainland European Championships a dancer must:
- Be selected to take part by the teacher.
- Know all required dances and steps fully.
- Danced in at least one complete open championship that year.
- Have an up to date, approved, modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
- In order to compete at All Irelands, British Nationals, Great Britains, All Scotlands or US Nationals, a dancer must:
- Recall at an open feis in Ireland or England in the past two years.
- Commit to at least 3 classes a week and attend every class (unless appropriate reason is given and agreed with by teacher).
- Win a preliminary championship outside Mainland Europe within the previous two years.
- Have an up to date modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
- Participate in at least 3 open feisanna in Ireland or England within the previous year.
- In order to compete at the World Championships a dancer must:
- Qualify at Oireachtas.
- Recall at an open feis in Ireland or England within the previous dance year.
- Place in the top 70% at either the Great Britains, All Irelands, All Scotlands, US Nationals or British Nationals.
- Commit to at least 3 classes a week and attend every class (unless appropriate reason is given and agreed with by teacher).
- Placed in the top three of an Open championship.
- Won a preliminary championship outside Mainland Europe.
- Have an up to date modern costume and adhere to the advice of appearance by teachers.
- Participate in at least 3 open feisanna in Ireland or England within the previous dance year.
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 happy, successful and fulfilling journey with Irish dance and the Sweeney McAvinchey Irish Dance School.
Best regards,
Team Sweeney McAvinchey