Changes

There are three basic soft shoe dances, the Light Jig, the Reel, and the Slip Jig.  The Reel is usually the first dance that new dancers learn.  It is danced to a Reel, a tune in 4/4 timing, which is played around a tempo of 117.  Precision, speed, and "snap" or spring are all important characteristics of the Reel.  The Light Jig is usually the second dance which dancers learn, although it may be learned first, with the reel then coming second.  The Light Jig is danced to Jig music, music in 6/8 timing at an average tempo of 116.  The Light Jig must demonstrate an easy springiness and flexibility.  The Slip Jig is the third soft shoe dance that a dancer learns.  Only girls and very young boys dance the Slip Jig.  The Slip Jig music is in 9/8 timing and is played at a tempo of 119.  Since the Slip Jig is primarily a girls' dance, it must be very smooth, graceful, and controlled.

There are three basic soft shoe dances, the Light Jig, the Reel, and the Slip Jig.  The Reel is usually the first dance that new dancers learn.  It is danced to a Reel, a tune in 4/4 timing, which is played around a tempo of 117.  Precision, speed, and "snap" or spring are all important characteristics of the Reel.  The Light Jig is usually the second dance which dancers learn, although it may be learned first, with the reel then coming second.  The Light Jig is danced to Jig music, music in 6/8 timing at an average tempo of 116.  The Light Jig must demonstrate an easy springiness and flexibility.  The Slip Jig is the third soft shoe dance that a dancer learns.  Only girls and very young boys dance the Slip Jig.  The Slip Jig music is in 9/8 timing and is played at a tempo of 119.  Since the Slip Jig is primarily a girls' dance, it must be very smooth, graceful, and controlled.

Their are several standard hard shoe dances.  They are the Hornpipe, the Treble Jig, and the Treble Reel.  Students usually learn the Hornpipe or Treble Jig as their first hard shoe dance.  Hornpipe music is in 4/4 timing and can be played at two different tempos, fast or slow.  The Treble Jig is danced to Jig music at a tempo of 73.  A good dancer will use their hard shoes like a musical instrument, tapping louder on the accented beats of the music.

There are several standard hard shoe dances.  They are the Hornpipe, the Treble Jig, and the Treble Reel.  Students usually learn the Hornpipe or Treble Jig as their first hard shoe dance.  Hornpipe music is in 4/4 timing and can be played at two different tempos, fast or slow.  The Treble Jig is danced to Jig music at a tempo of 73.  A good dancer will use their hard shoes like a musical instrument, tapping louder on the accented beats of the music.

==== Feisanna ====

==== Feisanna ====

A Feis (plural Feisanna, pronounced fesh) is an Irish Dance competition.  Information on Feisanna can be found at www.northamericanfeiscommission.org [http://www.northamericanfeiscommission.org/].  The Levels of competitons are:<ref>http://www.wickschool.com/docs/NJHandbook.pdf</ref>

A Feis (plural Feisanna, pronounced fesh) is an Irish Dance competition.  Information on Feisanna can be found at www.northamericanfeiscommission.org [http://www.northamericanfeiscommission.org/].  The Levels of competitions are:<ref>http://www.wickschool.com/docs/NJHandbook.pdf</ref>

'''1. Beginner:''' A dancer who has not taken Irish dancing lessons from a registered teacher prior to September 1 of the previous year.

'''1. Beginner:''' A dancer who has not taken Irish dancing lessons from a registered teacher prior to September 1 of the previous year.