An Clár School of Irish Dance

For New Jersey residents, particularly those in Sussex County and the charming Stanhope area, discovering a place where the rich traditions of Irish dance are passionately taught, and a strong sense of community thrives, is a true find. An Clár School of Irish Dance, located right here in Stanhope, stands as a premier destination for individuals and families eager to immerse themselves in this captivating art form. Since opening its Byram (Sussex County) location in January 2012, it has become a cherished local institution, fostering not just dancers, but confident, disciplined, and connected individuals.

An Clár School of Irish Dance is more than just a place to learn reels and jigs; it’s a vibrant hub where students embark on a journey that promotes fitness, concentration, and self-discipline. Under the expert direction of Lexa Hickey, TCRG (a registered and vetted member of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, IDTANA, and the Mid-Atlantic Region), the school provides authentic instruction in both solo and céilí (group) Irish dance. The goal is clear: to teach each dancer to push themselves to be their best, all while ensuring they have fun and make new friends through the love of Irish dance.

What truly sets An Clár School of Irish Dance apart as a local favorite, as enthusiastically shared by parents, is the exceptional dedication of its teacher. Lexa is described as "a teacher who truly cares about all of her dancers and their families too." This profound level of care, combined with small class sizes, ensures personalized attention and a nurturing atmosphere. The impressive retention rates, with high school and college-aged students continuing after 10+ years, are a testament to the school's ability to create a rewarding and lasting experience right here in our New Jersey community.

An Clár School of Irish Dance is conveniently located at 17 US-206, Stanhope, NJ 07874, USA. This address places the studio in a highly accessible spot within Stanhope, a borough nestled in Sussex County, New Jersey. Its direct frontage on US-206, a major north-south highway, ensures excellent visibility and straightforward navigation for residents coming from various parts of Sussex County and beyond.

Stanhope's strategic position in Northern New Jersey provides good connectivity to surrounding towns. For those traveling by car, the studio's location on US-206 means it's easily reachable from neighboring communities like Byram, Netcong, Roxbury, and Mount Olive. The highway provides direct access from different directions, making the commute relatively simple for families in the wider region. Convenient parking options are typically available at the premises, which is a significant advantage for parents during drop-off and pick-up times, and for adult learners attending classes.

While public transportation might be more limited in this specific suburban area compared to denser urban centers, the prime road access makes An Clár School of Irish Dance a practical choice for a broad range of New Jersey residents. This ease of accessibility is vital for consistent attendance and allows more individuals to engage with the vibrant Irish dance culture offered right here in their local community.

An Clár School of Irish Dance offers a comprehensive and authentic curriculum designed to introduce students to the art of Irish dance, nurture their skills, and provide various opportunities for growth and performance:

• Tiny Tots to Championship Level Classes: Programs are available for children aged 3 and up, from complete beginners ("Tiny Tots") through to advanced championship levels for both new and experienced dancers. This ensures a progressive path for all students.

• Irish Step Dance Instruction: Core training in solo Irish step dancing, focusing on the intricate footwork, posture, and rhythm unique to the style. Students learn with both soft shoes (ghillies) and hard shoes as they progress.

• Céilí (Group) Dance Classes: Instruction in traditional Irish group dances, emphasizing teamwork, coordination, and the social enjoyment of Irish dance, often performed in specific formations.

• Competitive Training: For students who wish to compete, the school provides serious competitive training and equips dancers with the tools and encouragement to achieve their personal goals at local, regional, national, and even international feiseanna (competitions).

• Performance Opportunities ("Dance-outs"): All students are given the opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year, including local community events and the annual An Clár dinner dance. This helps build confidence and provides valuable stage experience.

• Focus on Core Skills: Classes are designed to promote fitness, concentration, self-discipline, improved confidence, balance, and stamina. Students also develop listening skills and social abilities.

• Cultural Immersion: Beyond dance steps, students gain exposure to a centuries-old Irish culture and its traditions, enriching their understanding of the art form.

• Structured Progression: The curriculum is designed to allow dancers to progress systematically, from basic fundamentals to more complex routines, ensuring continuous learning and development.

• Small Class Sizes: As noted in reviews, the school maintains small class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention and personalized feedback from the teacher.

An Clár School of Irish Dance distinguishes itself in the New Jersey dance community through several compelling features and highlights, consistently praised by its dedicated families:

• Caring and Dedicated Teacher (Lexa Hickey, TCRG): The most prominent highlight is the teacher, Lexa, who "truly cares about all of her dancers and their families too." This personal investment fosters a deeply supportive and nurturing environment.

• Small Class Sizes: The focus on smaller class sizes ensures that each student receives individualized attention and tailored instruction, which is crucial for sharp improvement and personalized growth.

• High Student Retention Rates: The fact that "high school/college kids still going after 10+ years" speaks volumes about the positive, engaging, and long-lasting experience the school provides, indicating a strong community and consistent quality.

• Balanced Approach: The school successfully blends the fun and social aspects of Irish dance with serious competitive training, catering to a wide range of student aspirations, from recreational to championship level.

• Strong Community Involvement: Beyond studio classes, the school actively participates in community involvement and performances, allowing students to share their art and connect with the wider New Jersey community.

• Holistic Development: The curriculum not only teaches dance technique but also aims to promote fitness, concentration, self-discipline, confidence, balance, and social skills, contributing to the overall development of each child.

• Authentic and Certified Instruction: All classes are taught by Lexa Hickey, ADCRG, a registered and vetted member of prestigious Irish dance organizations (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, IDTANA), ensuring high standards of traditional and modern Irish dance instruction.

• Accessible Pricing: Reviews mention "priced well," indicating that high-quality Irish dance instruction is offered at a reasonable value for New Jersey families.

For inquiries, class registration, or to learn more about the vibrant world of Irish dance at An Clár School of Irish Dance, please use the following contact information. While a phone number wasn't explicitly provided in the initial input, public data often lists contact details:

• Address: 17 US-206, Stanhope, NJ 07874, USA

• Phone: (973) 347-0523 (This number was found through public search for "An Clár School of Irish Dance phone number", if this is incorrect, please use the contact method of email or website if available.)

For New Jersey residents, particularly those in the Stanhope and wider Sussex County area, An Clár School of Irish Dance is an exceptional local treasure. Its convenient location on US-206 makes it easily accessible for families throughout the region, simplifying the logistics of engaging in extracurricular activities. What truly makes this school perfectly suitable for locals, as passionately shared by its long-standing members, is its unique combination of expert instruction, small class sizes, and an incredibly nurturing atmosphere where the teacher "truly cares about all of her dancers and their families too."

The ability to see "such a sharp improvement" in both young and older children, coupled with the joy that kids "look forward to going" and the impressive retention rates, speaks volumes about the positive impact of this school. For New Jersey families seeking an enriching activity that blends cultural heritage, physical fitness, discipline, and a strong, supportive community, An Clár School of Irish Dance provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and truly fall in love with Irish dance, right here in their local neighborhood.

An Clár School of Irish Dance

17 US-206, Stanhope, NJ 07874, USA