tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887568350765801251.post7494673396996137823..comments2017-10-31T13:09:24.163-07:00Comments on Confessions of an Adult Irish Dancer: Adults vs. & Overs: an op-ed on the various pros and consUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887568350765801251.post-13103510809369784552015-11-06T06:50:23.505-08:002015-11-06T06:50:23.505-08:00I googled adult Irish dancers (do NOT forget the w...I googled adult Irish dancers (do NOT forget the word "Irish" in there when doing so!) and landed on your blog. Nice list! It's so great to have options as an adult, and it's wonderful that you have a school supportive of your goals!<br /><br />I'm an adult in the Western US Region of CLRG. Our studio is a satellite of the main (large) school, and we started out quite small so I knew quite a few of the younger dancers as our adult classes were mixed in with prizewinner/champ classes of all ages. The adult socializing is a major bonus of being in an adult class, but I do find it frustrating when the socialization time starts to outnumber the learning time! We've now grown and have a number of new classes, so I take a mix of the regular adult-only class and a champ prep and a drills class that is mixed in with the kids. Sometimes I'm the only adult, sometimes there are 5 of us, just depends on the week. I was a bit nervous around the kids at first but now I'm over it. They're very friendly and don't question the adult presence at all. They even tell me good job after class if the teacher complements me.<br /><br />I'm fortunate to have a school very supportive of adult dancers and whatever our goals, from weekly fun exercise to performances to competing at Worlds.<br /><br />A couple things to add to your list based on my Western Region experience:<br /><br />-They've allowed adults to dance non-traditional speeds for quite a while now. I've competed slow treble jig in adult prizewinner for about 3 feisanna now and will be competing my slow hornpipe for the first time this weekend in novice. Only beginner cannot do slow speeds, same as &overs. Our entire adult class has been learning the slow dancers...with varied degrees of success as they're quite intricate!<br />-We wear wigs and bling, if not in my region at least in my local area. A lot more wear natural hair than in &overs, and we're not *as* blingy or wearing as young of styles in general, but some of us still like our bling. I just bought my first solo used from an &overs teen. No bling, but very pretty and I added a blinged number clip and made a fascinator to match and added a crystal to that. I plan to add some crystals to the dress as a reward to myself for dropping down, when I get there. Tights are now required in a new ruling this year, but I haven't seen it enforced yet and a couple competitors in the adult category are still wearing poodle socks.<br />-Definitely agree about the friendly competition and the low numbers. Sometimes it is fine and I've competed with up to 12, but sometimes I've danced alone. I now only attend select feisanna where I know there is a chance of having at least one of my dances have 5 or more, which is a bummer because I'd love to go to all of them!<br />-I'm planning to drop down when my teacher suggests it because I want to keep advancing the levels. Fortunately, at my school, I'll be able to stay in the adult class until at least &over prizewinner, if not until champs. Champs is the only level I wouldn't have crossover with my adult friends.<br /><br />Overall, I'm happy that I've started in Adult as I wasn't sure I would ever want to compete and just went "for fun" to my first feis. But after the first medals I earned? I'm hooked! It has helped the intimidation factor to be in a group of older dancers who are less cutthroat, save that one girl in adult prizewinner who isn't above trying to get you disqualified. :)<br /><br />Hope classes are going well and the house situation! Lovely blog!mandoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16871233215981807864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1887568350765801251.post-4581836702919678982015-10-23T17:50:55.849-07:002015-10-23T17:50:55.849-07:00Love this post as this is something I think about ...Love this post as this is something I think about all the time. I started out as an adult and didn't meet many fellow adults until I was ready to make the switch. While I love my adult category friends, I know I made the right choice. I want to have the opportunities to go to Oireachtas, Worlds and more. That just wasn't an option where I was before. Having a really supportive teacher also helped make the transition to & overs really easy. I'm also lucky that I there are two other 18 & over people in my class. I love the 4th-7th graders in my class too, but it's nice to have some buddies who can relate to adult problems.<br /><br />Good luck on your house! I close on mine on Wednesday! I can't wait to have room to practice inside!Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15765591473914300868noreply@blogger.com