Studio Information & Guidelines
We aim to share the love of Irish dance with both Irish and non-Irish students alike in a family-oriented environment where each student creates goals for themselves and learns how to achieve those goals through discipline and hard work.
Studio Information
The Hester Academy of Irish Dance opened its doors in September, 2014. Our school is fully certified and registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (A.D.C.R.G.) and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America. The Hester Academy of Irish Dance is owned by JJ Hester.
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The Hester Academy of Irish Dance studio is located at The Ice House. 200 Southern Blvd. Wyoming, DE, 19934.
Guidelines
The Hester Academy of Irish Dance asks all parents/guardians and students to adhere to the following guidelines. Parents/guardians and students will be asked to confirm that they have read these guidelines during registration.
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Parents/guardians and students are also encouraged to review additional learning resources.
Class
Rules and expectations so we can learn and have fun
Dress Code: ​Students should be covered and dressed modestly. Dress code will be enforced. ​ Students are required to wear any combination of Hester Academy logo wear with black shorts or capris (which do not have to be the logo wear). Shorts must be fingertip length with their arms to their side, short shorts are not permitted. Dancers are required to wear Irish dance socks with the correct Irish dance shoes (soft shoes or hard shoes). In the colder months, dancers are permitted to wear black sweatpants that they will not trip over. Upon registration, each dancer receives a free Hester Academy t-shirt to wear to class. ​
Arrival & Studio Time: Classes will begin promptly at their designated start time. Please arrive at the studio early enough to ensure you have your Irish dance shoes on and that you are ready to go. During the duration of the class, dancers are to remain in the studio. If a dancer leaves the studio unexcused, they may be asked to sit out for the remainder of that class.
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Respect: Respect one another.
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Respect personal space and keep hands to yourself​​
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No rough housing, grabbing, picking one another up​, etc.
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Respect each other and keep our talk positive
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No unkind words, even when joking​
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Respect the teacher and listen attentively
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Listen to instruction and feedback​, do talk over or back talk JJ
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Respect the class and do not be disruptive
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Stay in the studio for the duration of the lesson, keep side chatter to a minimum. It is okay to practice on the side while waiting your turn
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Please kindly reinforce these expectations with your dancers prior to them coming to dance so that everyone is able to learn and have fun.
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Parents/Guardians: Please do not sit in the studio area during class as this can be distracting for the dancers. Chairs are provided for you in the waiting room.
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Refrain from presenting questions in the studio to JJ while class is going on. JJ needs to maximize class time and it is unfair for him to speak with a parent/guardian during class. Feel free to reach out via email with any questions or concerns.
Moving Up
Teacher discretion, trust the process
Every dancer is excited to progress, but be patient and trust that JJ will let you know individually when your dancer is ready to move to a new group, begin hard shoes, new choreography, etc.
JJ cares about each one of his students and is committed to their success. JJ will not willingly hold anyone's dancer back that has earned the right to move forward. As such, do not present questions about dancer advancement.
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Each and every dancer progresses at their own pace. It is not based on age but rather skill development and some dancers progress faster than others. Please try not to judge your dancer's ability or level with that of another regardless of age. It is their own individualized journey.
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If you do have a concern, question, or would like to know about your dancer's progress, please email JJ or speak outside of class.
Solo Dresses & Vests
Approval is required
Solo dresses are earned once a dancer reaches a certain level. As a rule, solo dresses are only for those dancers who are at or above Novice level and once JJ tells the dancer they are ready.
The search for a solo dress is exciting but if you are considering buying a solo dress, please check with JJ first. During the buying process, please run any dresses by JJ before purchase. JJ can:
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Give recommendations on style
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Provide information on the best places to search, dressmakers, and pricing
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Let you know if the dress is appropriate for the dance level (novice/prizewinner solo dresses are not the same as champ level solo dresses)
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Speak to what judges are looking for
Solo dresses are expected to be an appropriate length and fit correctly.
The Hester Academy understands that solo dresses are very personal. The goal is not to limit a dancer's personal likes and taste but to make sure that money is being spent well.
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Feis Etiquette
Support one another but be respectful
A feis is an Irish dance competition. JJ encourages his students to compete at feis but does not require it. JJ encourages dancers and dance families to support one another at these events.
There is the expectation within the feis setting that families are respectful of the space and respectful of each other. There is a happy medium between complete silence/church and a sporting event, which a feis is neither. The expectation is the same at the dance studio (see Class above).
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Additionally, there may be times you question or disagree with the marks of the judges. It is okay to disagree in a respectful manner, away from the feis venue but know that the subjectivity of the art form and expertise of the judge does have tremendous value as well.
Dancers and families represent the Hester Academy of Irish Dance at these events and they need to do so in a way that continues to bring pride to the Hester Academy.
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