Sullivan Stewart School of Irish Dance 

    From March to June 2020, the Sullivan Stewart School of Irish Dance transitioned to online teaching. We strived to maintain a curriculum as similar as possible to that which we provided at the studio, with a special emphasis on bonding and social activities, such as dancer and parent zoom get-togethers. We believed that attending online classes was very important for our dancers, as it allowed them to see and talk to their friends, exercise, and continue to progress as dancers, as well as providing them with a sense of schedule and purpose. 
   The main difference between in-person and online classes was the amount of space that dancers have to practice. However, the experience provided dancers with an insight into the history of Irish dance. One of the most notable aspects of Irish dance is the rigid upper body and arms down by the dancer's sides. Though no one is exactly sure where this distinctive trait originated from, legend has it that during the English occupation of Ireland, the Irish would dance with their arms by their sides so that their dancing would go undetected by the British. This symbol of defiance and Irish culture has gone on to become an iconic aspect of Irish dance. It also means that Irish dance (at beginner and intermediate levels), can be performed with relatively little space. In short, although dancing at home can be challenging, the style of Irish dance that we know and love today was specifically created to cope with similar space-restrictions, albeit for different reasons. In short, if the history of Irish dance has taught us anything, it's to keep working through adversity and that great things can be accomplished during difficult times. 
   We are still offering online Zoom private lessons to dancers and new beginners. If interested, please contact us through our website or Facebook.
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