McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots

Are you a New Yorker in Long Island City or a surrounding borough, seeking a unique and enriching activity for your child, or perhaps even for yourself? Do you want to instill a love for movement, build confidence, and connect with a vibrant, inclusive community? Look no further than McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots. This esteemed dance school is more than just a place to learn steps; it's a hub where the rich tradition of Irish dance comes alive, fostering discipline, artistry, and a strong sense of belonging for dancers of all ages and levels, right here in the heart of Long Island City.

Led by Patricia McGuigan (McManus), TCRG, McManus Irish Dance has become a cornerstone of the New York Irish dance scene since its founding in 2013. The school is a proud member of CRDM (Comhdháil na Múinteoirí le Rincí Gaelacha), ensuring adherence to traditional standards. What truly sets this studio apart is its commitment to providing a "truly traditional & culturally based Irish dance experience" that goes beyond just technique. It's about incorporating live traditional music, song, and building confident, happy dancers who embrace the joy of their craft. This ethos resonates deeply with New York families looking for activities that offer both skill development and cultural enrichment.

For the youngest movers, the innovative Jiggy Tots program, developed by Patricia in 2014, fills a unique niche in the city's pre-dance offerings. Recognizing a gap for Irish dance-specific movement programs for toddlers, Jiggy Tots provides a fun, creative, and educational introduction to rhythm and coordination, setting a solid foundation for future dance endeavors. Whether your goal is competitive excellence, recreational enjoyment, or simply a fun way for your child to move, McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots offers a supportive and welcoming environment where every dancer feels "at home" and truly adored going to class.

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McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots is conveniently located at 10-40 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA. This prime address places the studio within the vibrant and rapidly developing Long Island City neighborhood, making it exceptionally accessible for residents across Queens, Manhattan, and even parts of Brooklyn.

A significant advantage for New Yorkers accessing the studio is its superb public transportation access. The location on Jackson Avenue is famously "one stop from Grand Central on the 7 train," making it incredibly convenient for commuters from Manhattan. Beyond the 7 train, Long Island City is a major transit hub, with numerous other subway lines (including the E, M, G, N, Q, R, and W trains) and bus routes serving the area. This extensive network ensures that families from various parts of the city can easily reach the studio, making consistent attendance for weekly classes or special events practical and stress-free. While street parking in Long Island City can sometimes be a challenge, the superior public transit options mitigate this concern, cementing McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots as an easily reachable destination for dance enthusiasts across New York.

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• Jiggy Tots® "Junior" (Grown Up & Me Program): Uniquely developed for children aged 18 months through 3.5 years, this creative Irish dance & movement class involves a grownup. It focuses on building strength, developing gross motor skills, coordination, body awareness, and movement creativity through dance and educational games utilizing counting and colors, sometimes incorporating Irish language words. Upbeat traditional Irish music and popular toddler songs, clapping, stamping, and instruments are used to explore rhythm.
• Jiggy Tots "Senior" / Young Beginners: For ages 3-5, this class offers an introduction to both independent participation and Irish dance class basics, carefully designed to make the transition smooth.
• Traditional Irish Dance Classes (Ages 3 through 18+): Offers leveled classes from absolute beginner through advanced/champion levels, suitable for recreational dancers and those aspiring to compete. Instruction is steeped in proper step dancing with a strong emphasis on performance.
• Diverse Class Options: Provides various formats to fit different schedules and learning preferences, including:
  • Weekly classes
  • Private lessons for personalized instruction
  • Workshops for specialized techniques
  • Ceili (traditional Irish social dance) sessions
  • Summer dance programs for immersive learning
• Competition Preparation (Feisanna): Opportunities are available for talented dancers to compete in traditional Irish dance competitions, known as feisanna, with students earning World Medals and appearing in various media.
• Performance Opportunities: Students frequently have opportunities to perform throughout the year, including taking part in Irish Center celebrations, on-field for the NY Mets, Broadway stages, and more.
• Community Outreach Programs: The school actively engages in free community outreach programs and workshops in partnership with organizations like Urban Stages, NYC, Brooklyn, and Queens Public Library Systems, and NYC Parks System.

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• Wonderfully Diverse and Inclusive Community: Reviews consistently highlight the inclusive environment created by Trish (Patricia). The school fosters a welcoming space where students and their families feel "at home," making new friends and becoming part of a supportive community.
• Patient and Welcoming Instructors: Trish and her "young helpers" are praised for their patience, welcoming demeanor, and ability to make children adore going to class every week. This nurturing approach is crucial for young learners.
• Comprehensive Age Range: Catering to children from 18 months through 18+ years, McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots provides a continuous pathway for dance development, from early movement to advanced competitive levels.
• Strong Emphasis on Traditional & Cultural Experience: The instruction is deeply rooted in proper step dancing and incorporates live traditional music, song, and cultural values, providing an authentic Irish dance experience.
• Proven Track Record of Excellence: Talented dancers from the school have achieved significant recognition, including World Medals and performances on national stages (NBC TODAY show) and at major sporting events (NY Mets).
• Abundant Performance Opportunities: Students have numerous chances to showcase their skills throughout the year, from local Irish Center celebrations to larger community events, building confidence and stage presence.
• Focus on Holistic Development: Jiggy Tots, in particular, focuses on building strength, motor skills, coordination, body awareness, and creative movement through educational games, promoting well-rounded development in young children.
• Community Engagement: The school's active participation in community outreach programs and hosting events like Queens Irish Heritage Night demonstrates its commitment to cultural promotion and giving back to the local community.

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For more information about class schedules, registration for Jiggy Tots or Irish Dance programs, or any other inquiries, please contact Patricia at McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots:

• Address: 10-40 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA
• Email: McManusIrishDance@gmail.com

Note: While a phone number was not consistently available through public searches, email is the recommended contact method for registration and inquiries.

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For New Yorkers, especially those residing in Long Island City and across Queens, McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a rich cultural art form within a deeply supportive and inclusive community. In a city as diverse and dynamic as ours, finding activities that combine educational value with genuine warmth can be a true gem, and this school perfectly embodies that.

Its suitability for local families is evident in its comprehensive offerings, catering to a wide age range from the youngest toddlers (18 months) through competitive teens and beyond. The Jiggy Tots program is a fantastic entry point for little ones, providing a creative and age-appropriate introduction to movement and rhythm, preparing them for future dance endeavors. For older children and teens, the traditional Irish dance classes offer rigorous training, performance opportunities, and even pathways to competitive success, all while instilling discipline and a strong work ethic.

Beyond the technical training, what truly makes McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots suitable for New Yorkers is the vibrant community Trish and her team have cultivated. Parents and students consistently praise the "wonderfully diverse and inclusive community" and the "patient and welcoming" instructors who make everyone feel "at home." This supportive environment fosters not just dance skills but also lifelong friendships and a deep sense of belonging. With its convenient Long Island City location, easily accessible by public transport, and a clear commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement, McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots is an outstanding choice for any New York family seeking a fun, enriching, and truly memorable dance experience.

McManus Irish Dance & Jiggy Tots

10-40 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA