Irish dancing must be in their genes

Here are a few photos from the Queen Maeve School of Irish Dance winter performance in December. Fortunately this year there was hardly any snow and the temperature was pretty good, so even though we biked to the school again, we didn't have to thaw out a couple of kidsicles like we did last year before they started dancing!

One of the tiniest girls in the class, Keira really enjoys the Irish dancing (she's the one with the long pony tail on the right side).

And Finnegan - boy can that kid dance! I haven't seen him practice for some time and it was truly amazing (OK I'm also pretty biased) but it seemed that many of the girls where watching him to know what steps to do (he's the only boy in that class) and near the end of the show, he was up there taking part in one of the dances with all the adults and he sure could keep up well and knew all the steps and where he was supposed to be dancing.

Everyone on stage for their final bows.

The winter Irish Dance performance was a certainly a fun event, watching Margie, Finnegan, Keira and Sophia dancing their skip-two-threes.

Definitely happy to be with my little dancers!

Little Ballerinas

One day last fall (October maybe?? I'm too far behind with these posts!) parents and family were welcomed into the dance classes to observe. Usually they don't like the parents to stay as it can be pretty distracting for some children. Here are a few photos from Keira's pre-primary ballet class.

There are 12 little ballerinas in her class.

They always do some stretching and warm up exercises at the beginning of the class.

Learning the various positions for their feet.

Plies and all that sort of fun stuff.

Working with a partner...

...dancing together.

Then they are moving around the room!

Taking turns to dance across the studio

The smile on her face is priceless.

Keira showing off her sticker from class with one of her friends.

Vesnianka Final Performance

Finnegan's Vesnianka final performance was held on Thursday May 18th, the day after the UofS School of Dance performance (these last couple weeks have been crazy with rehersals and final performances). I love this photo (credit to Tim) - I think it's amazaing!

Here's Finnegan during the Poltava dance (I've probably spelled that wrong?).

Here's one of their Hutzal dance. (Photo credit here to Tim)

On stage for some final remarks and awards to some of the older students who will be leaving as of this year.

Here's the entire Venianka group of students. Vitali sure provides an amazing program for these kids.

Pirate's Search

The UofS School of Dance year-end performances were spread over two days; with Finnegan dancing on Wednesday May 17th. Unfortunately due to a possible teacher's strike the School of Dance had been advised to find an alternate venue for the final shows. The dances ended up being at the PAC which wasn't as good the threatre the year before but the show was great none-the-less.

Finnegan and his primary ballet "crew" instructed by Miss Sonja danced the "Pirate's Search". Ya-har maties!!! (The credit for the excellent photo goes to Tim as I didn't manage to get my camera out during the performance. This photo was actually taken at the dress rehersal the night before.)

Dance of the Seasons

The University of Saskatchewan School of Dance had a final performance for all the young children on Sunday May 15th. Keira's creative dance class instructed by Miss Tina performed the "Dance of the Seasons". Keira was one of the spring dancers.

This little girl loves to dance! She is very excited that Miss Sonja (Finnegan's ballet teacher) has given the OK for her to start the pre-primary ballet class in the fall. Photo credit on this one goes to Tim.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tonight Finnegan had an extra practice for Ukrainian dance as the children prepare for one of their upcoming performances.

This is a fun dance where the children circle together and let out an "ieee"!

And again, "ieee"!

Whirl and twirl - look at those kids go!

All lined up for their final curtseys and bows (not sure if you "cursey" in Ukrainian dancing"?).

Swan Lake

About two weeks ago (that's how behind I am with any sort of posts!) Grandma came over with a new ballet outfit for Keira. At Christmas she had made a 'firebird' outfit ad that is Keira's all-time favourite ballet - having watched a couple renditions of it on DVD.

In November I took her to TCU Place to see Swan Lake which was being performed by the Moscow Ballet Company.

Keira is quite certain she is going to be a ballerina teacher when she grows up! She certainly loves to dance - creative (at the U of S School of Dance) and Irish (at Queen Maeve School of Irish Dance) but ballet is certainly her favourite.
We put on the record with the "Swan Lake" music and the performance began. Full of twirls and twists and leaps.

Grandma helped out with a full lift in the air!

Of course the show wouldn't be complete without the splits and a curtsey at the end! Bravo Keira!

That Boy Can Dance!

On Saturday evening Finnegan danced his first Ukrainian dance performance. He and the other children were doing their Hutzul dance.

Unfortunately I was standing behind as they were practicing so mostly took a lot of pictures of his back.

Keira was quite impressed by all the young dancers. They did look spectacular in the lovely costumes.

Here's a fun one of Finnegan (missing a tooth but with an amazing grin nonetheless) and his pretty partner.