Irish dancing

Times Reporter   

 

The Ulmer School of Irish Dancing in Langdon is offering competitive and performance-style Irish dance classes. 

The classes run from September to June for boys and girls ages 4 and up.

There are two dance studios for the program, the original in Okotoks that opened in 2006, and the second one that opened in 2013 in Langdon. 

The studios were started by Jan Ulmer, who did Irish dancing herself, and competed at various competitions before she retired and started teaching Irish dancing in 2006.

“It’s an activity that runs from September to June which is a big commitment for the kids, but really they do learn a lot,” said Jen Young, an employee at the Ulmer School of Dancing. “You can do the competition or not do the competitions, it’s not a requirement which is the nice part about it.”

The program had so much success in Okotoks that expanding to a second studio in Langdon was a valid option.

“The classes are small in Langdon because she (Jan) has just started there for the last two years. The school is actually out of Okotoks and the instructor moved to Langdon, so she offers a Monday night class,” said Young.

The types of dances that the dancers start with are the more traditional ones; if they complete those ones properly, then they can move on to the more complex performances such as tap dancing.

“They learn all the traditional ones, the Jig and Reels, and once they’ve mastered those they can get into the more advanced class. So it’s like the Lord of the Dance,” said Young.

Young’s daughter, Alysha, really enjoys the techniques that are associated with Irish Dancing.

“My favourite part of dance is learning new things and seeing my friends and my coaches,” said Alysha

The fees for Ulmer School of Irish Dancing range from $30-$60 depending what level you’re at. 

If you want any more information you can check out the Facebook page, which is Ulmer School of Irish Dancing. You can also contact Jan Ulmer at Jan@ulmeririshdancing.com or call 403-589-3273.