A CROSSGAR Irish dance school is trying to keep spirits raised during the lockdown.
Owing to Covid restrictions, Irish dancers have not been allowed to attend classes in person since November last year.
However this has not deterred Chris Owens, Bridget Madden and Brid McKinney, dance teachers at Scoil Rince an Chroí from motivating dancers who have continued to go from strength to strength.
Bríd said: “It has been extremely challenging times. Even when restrictions were eased in November we were not allowed to return to our dance studio.
“However, rather than give into adversity, we have embraced as many aspects of digital technology as possible to teach our dancers.”
Consequently when Scoil Rince an Chroi were able to participate in a virtual online feis in March, they did so with resounding success.
Chris explained: “When the results came in, to say we are over the moon is an understatement.
“The competition was open to dancers across Ulster across in all age groups. Our results were amazing including three championship wins, 11 top five championship places, 13 first places, 20 second places, nine third places. Overall we achieved 70 places in the top 50 per cent of competitions.”
Competing in an online feis is just the tip of the iceberg of the work Scoil Rince an Chroí have engaged with during lockdown.
Using Zoom technology, dancers have continued to learn and perfect performances three times a week with their teachers.
Through virtual learning forums and social platforms such as Google classroom and WhatsApp, daily challenges have been sent to dancers.
Recognising the strain restrictions are having on young people, this forward thinking dance school implemented a ‘Monday Mindfulness’ programme during the February.
A variety of activities were presented each Monday to keep spirits high including baking together and goal setting.
The dance school also organised a class quiz for the whole family using Kahoot. The finale of the February activities was a live virtual meet with River Dance star Amymae Dolan.
One dance parent, Helen, said: “Irish dancing has been a godsend during restrictions for my daughter. She has really missed the social side of not being able to go to school. Being able to maintain her dancing has really helped in keeping her spirits up.”
Bridget Madden said the dance school was looking forward to getting dancers back into the studio.
She added: “We are very proud of how much our dancers have been able to stay together, while forced apart.
Fellow teacher Bríd remarked: “Our school name means to ‘dance from the heart’ and this virtual learning process has shown just how much young our young stars people love to dance.”