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Sean Culkin began his teaching career with a
few adult evening classes. Even though most of the Culkin School students are now children,
Sean and
fellow TCRGs, Caterina Earle and Nicki Sack-Elliott, continue to have a strong commitment to adult
Irish dancers.
The Culkin School offers a variety of classes for
adult Irish dancers. As in the children’s classes, the adult classes are designed
to prepare students to successfully compete, but the decision to compete is
entirely up to the dancer. While many adults compete and perform, there are
also students who take classes for fun, exercise and love of Irish music and
dance. Classes are a combination of step and figure dancing and are
currently being taught by Nicki Sack-Elliott and Caterina Earle with assistance from Kate Bole,
Megan Howard and Megan Moloney.
Caterina has been teaching with Sean since he
founded the Culkin School. She began her own dancing career as an adult and
has a unique perspective on teaching adults:
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"I loved Irish music, and I discovered
that Irish dance is one of the most beautiful dance forms. It requires
effort, both physical and mental, teamwork and time. In my experience as a
dancer and, now, as a teacher, I find that adults meet the challenge with a
special enthusiasm and dedication."
"Sean and I were both blessed to have
Peggy O’Neill as a teacher. She cherished her adult students and truly
appreciated the sacrifices adults had to make to progress. In working with
adults, I am hoping to continue her legacy of encouraging anyone with the
desire to pursue this uniquely beautiful dance."
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Adult Levels (2008 - 2009)
Adult classes are grouped so that each student receives individualized attention from our teaching staff. In addition to our TCRGs, advanced-level adult instructors assist in our classes to ensure good teacher-to-student ratios.
Beginner teens, aged 16 and up, are
invited to join the adult beginners class. Adult students with previous experience should contact the school regarding placement into an appropriate adult class.
In 2007 - 2008, there are four adult classes on the Culkin School's Schedule. We will not offer a new beginners class in the fall of 2007. For adults interested in a beginners class, please visit the Teelin School in Maryland or the O'Neill James School or Aoibhneas an Rince in Virginia
| Adult Beginner |
Monday night at Trinity, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: For beginning students. |
| Adult A/B |
Monday night at Trinity, 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: For dancers with at least one year of experience or compete at a beginner or advanced beginner level. Dancers in this class are beginning or developing their hard shoe technique. |
| Adult C |
Monday night at Trinity, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: For students who have mastered the basics of hardshoe and perform more advanced material or compete at a novice level. |
| Adult D |
Thursday night at Hughes, 8:30 to 9:45 PM: For students focusing on preparing material for competition at the prizewinner levels. This class is formatted to move quickly through advanced material. |
Adult class schedules are listed
on the main schedule page. For more detailed
information on the adult program, visit their website --
www.culkinadults.com. It has
adult class, practice and performance schedules and an extensive photo
gallery featuring the adult students.
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