Class FAQ

Classes meet Saturday mornings at the Lloyd Shaw Dance Studio on Coal Ave SE, 2 blocks east of San Mateo just south of Central Ave.  We support all levels from Beginner to Championship (several of whom compete at national and international levels).  We also cater to all age groups.  We have students starting at 4 years old right through to adult. 

Extra practices are sometimes arranged—check the bulletin board or with other parents for days and times.  There is usually a nominal charge per dancer to cover studio rental for extra practice time.

Who do I contact?

For information about Irish Step-Dance classes and instruction, contact:

• Beverly Coleman:
  Phone: 505 866-5867

Where are classes held?

Classes are held at:

• The Lloyd Shaw Dance Center
  5506 Coal, SE
  Albuquerque, NM
  Map...

When are classes?

• Championship: 8 - 10 AM, Saturdays

• Advanced: 9 - 11 AM, Saturdays

• Beginner: 11 - 12 AM, Saturdays. Open to all ages.
  See instructor if student is under the age of 5.

• Intermediate: 11:30 - 1 AM, Saturdays

• The last Saturday of each month is the 1st class for all new dancers.

Tuition

Tuition is normally paid by the trimester and costs $120 for each 4-month term, or $35 per month if paid monthly. 

Payment is due the first class of each new trimester, typically the first week of September, January, and May (or the first class of each month if paying monthly). 

For families with two or more dancers attending classes, there is a cap of $240 per trimester or $70 per month.  People paying the family rate can opt to split their payments, with half due the first month of the trimester, and the remainder due at the beginning of the following month. 

There are no refunds for missed classes nor are we currently in a position to offer makeup classes unless classes are cancelled by the instructors.

If circumstances exist that make it difficult or impossible to pay tuition, dancers may request financial assistance from the ISDNM board.  If approved, ISDNM will cover tuition on a trimester to trimester basis.  All information will be kept confidential.

Who do I pay?

Checks for tuition are made out to McTeggart Irish Dance.  Checks for most other things (such as the annual studio rental fee) should be made out to ISDNM. 

How Should I Dress for Class?

The following dress code is in effect for all dancers:

• shorts/skorts/skirts and crew neck t-shirts are considered appropriate dress

• warm up pants are allowed for the first 10 minutes

• no rolled down waistbands

• no midriffs

• no spaghetti straps

• no undergarments showing

• appropriate dance shoes at all times:

  • gillies ($40-$60 new)

  • jig shoes ($100-$150 new)

  • no jazz sneakers

Class Conduct

• No food, drinks or gum are allowed on the dance floor; this is not only a McTeggart rule, it is a Lloyd Shaw rule

• Request permission to leave the room unless it is a break time

• The only reason to sit during class is due to injury or physical problem

• Pay attention

• It is common courtesy not to interrupt class; breaks are taken every 30 minutes and concerns may be directed to the teacher or a dancer at that time.