FAQs Riverdance Summer School
What standard of dancer should I be to attend the school?
You should be at prize winner standard or dancing for 5 years or more. If you are not learning heavy shoes yet, then you should wait until you gain a little bit more experience.
What do I gain by attending?
For your time at the school, you become a part of Riverdance and work and learn from the best of the best. Each student will
- Be part of the Riverdance showcase performance at the end of the school.
- Learn from the best dance professionals in the world and learn to understand what it takes to become the best as a performer.
- Attend talks from the industry leaders, learn about strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology and fitness.
- Gain insight into how to choreograph new numbers, what it takes to put a show together, what it’s like to live on the road. On completion of the school students will have gained a wealth of knowledge about the industry.
If you choose the residential option, you also receive 6 nights’ accommodation, 3 meals a day and 24-hour supervision and security.
What age should I be to apply for the summer school?
Applications for the 2025 summer school will be accepted from dancers who are aged 12 years and older on or before 31st December 2024. The Riverdance Juniors program is suitable for dancers aged 6 to 11 years with all levels of dance experience from beginner to championship.
Can I apply for more than one week?
Yes. Once your application is accepted, please contact us to confirm that you would like to attend more than one week so that the booking can be updated.
Is this An Coimisiun Approved?
The Riverdance Summer School has been granted Show Status from An Comisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha.
The Riverdance School will focus on show choreography. There will be a showcase performance with all students as the finale of each school each week. We will not change dancer styles or correct or choreograph competition steps. Our goal is to give the Irish dancers an insight into life as a professional, to motivate, inspire and encourage them to continue to dance and to build their confidence. We will focus mainly on Riverdance choreography, but we will also teach the dancers the concept of building and staging a live performance.
Cancellation Policy – Non-Residential
In the event of cancellation more than two months prior to the course start date, a sum of €100 will be retained to cover administration costs.
In the event of a cancellation less than two months prior to the course start date, the sum of €250 will be retained. A withdrawal less than one month before the course start date will result in the forfeiture of the entire fee.
Cancellation Policy – Residential Package
In the event of cancellation of the residential package the sum of €250 will be retained. This cancellation fee applies once payment is made. A withdrawal less than one month before the course start date will result in the forfeiture of the entire fee.
The application form requests two separate videos – why should these videos be submitted?
The two videos required are
- Video recording of a solo dance performance: All applications must submit this video of their solo dance performance. It should be 1 min heavy shoe dancing to your choice of music. This video is required to ensure that the dancers applying are at the standard that is stated on their application.
- Scholarship Video for those applying for a scholarship place. This “video piece to camera” can be submitted in place of a scholarship essay. The applicant should state why they feel they should be the recipient the scholarship. This video can be about the dancers greatest inspiration or their love for the art form, They can talk almost anything they like but they should remember that they are applying for an Irish Dancing scholarship.
For both videos, they should be saved as unlisted on YouTube or Vimeo and the link / URL should be added to the application form. Alternatively, the video can be sent to summerschool@riverdance.com via Dropbox.com, Wetransfer.com or similar. Please ensure that the video is saved under the applicant’s name.
Is the school an audition for Riverdance?
The summer schools will become the main way in which dancers over the age of 18 will now audition for our shows. We feel that by auditioning over the course of a week the dancers are given a fair way of showcasing not only their talents but also their work ethic and personality. These are two traits that are extremely important to Riverdance.
When will I know if my application has been accepted?
You will not receive immediate confirmation of a place at the summer school so please bear with us. Once all applications are reviewed, places will be offered at the school. Please ensure that you submit your link to your performance video with your application. If you have not heard from us, please email summerschool@riverdance.com
Once you receive confirmation of your place, please register and pay to secure this place. Places are allocated only when the course fee is paid.
Where is the Summer School Accommodation in Dublin?
The Accommodation is in Dublin City University Campus in Dublin 9. (www.dcurooms.com)
Where is the Summer School Accommodation in Boston?
The residential accommodation is located in the Boston University dormitories.
Are the children chaperoned?
Yes, there is 24 hour supervision for the students under 18 years of age. All chaperones/instructors are fully Gardá or Police Vetted.
How will I get to summer school each day?
Transport between the campus accommodation and the school will be provided for all residential students.
How will I get to and from the airport?
Transfers to and from the airport are provided. Students can book airport transfers as part of the booking process. An additional charge may apply.
How do I ensure that my friend and I share the same accommodation?
It is important to us that everyone is happy and has a great experience in the summer school so we will do what we can to ensure that each student is accommodated with a friend. Once your application is accepted each student will be asked as part of the booking process to nominate a friend to be accommodated close to them.
What is the application and booking timeline and what is the payment schedule for the school fees?
Applications will be accepted until all the places at the school are filled. Places are strictly limited and will be allocated as soon as suitable applicants have applied.
There is no fee required to submit your application. When you are notified that your application is successful you will be given full booking instructions.
What is the schedule and start and finish times for the school?
Monday to Friday: 10am to 5pm and Saturday: 10am to 3pm.
All transport to and from classes is provided for residential students. Students will be accompanied by a supervisor on all journeys. A full schedule of classes and activities will be sent to you before the start date of the course.
Will my application video be viewed by the public?
No. We will not publish any videos used in your application. If we want to use your video, we will ask you before we do so.
How do I apply for the scholarship?
The scholarship will be awarded based on the ability of the student as a dancer and the scholarship essay or video submitted.
To apply for the scholarship, you must first apply and be accepted for a place at the school. You will also be required to pay your course fee to secure your place.
The scholarships will be awarded when all the places at the summer school are filled.
The scholarship essay should be approximately 500 words and the video piece to camera should be no longer than 3 minutes. Explain why you deserve to be the recipient of the scholarship. You can share what Irish Dancing means to you or you can talk/write about who is your biggest inspiration. You can include almost anything you wish but remember you are applying for an Irish Dancing scholarship.
Will the parents and teachers get the chance to see the dancers perform what they have learned?
Each Saturday morning, a special showcase performance will be staged where the families will see the dancers perform.
What Clothing they should bring for classes?
We recommend that each dancer brings plenty of dance or athletic attire, soft shoes and heavy shoes, sneakers/runners or capezios, swim wear and some casual clothing. We also recommend that each dancer bring a towel and whatever else you might usually need when you attend your own dance class.
What languages will be spoken?
All classes and activities will be conducted through English so a good command of the English language is required.
What about spending money and banking?
We advise that students should not carry large amounts of cash. A standard or prepaid credit or debit card would be a good option.
What about food allergies or medical needs?
Once accepted into Summer School, each dancer will be asked to complete a health questionnaire as part of the booking process so that we can be aware of each individual’s requirements.
Should students carry their own insurance?
It is recommended that students have full travel insurance to cover their stay.
Please note the cancellation charges prior to paying the course and residential fees
In the event of cancellation of the residential package the sum of €250 will be retained. This cancellation fee applies once payment is made.
In the event of cancellation of the non-residential booking more than two months prior to the course start date, a sum of €100 will be retained to cover administration costs.
In the event of a cancellation less than two months prior to the course’s start date, the sum of €250 will be retained.
A withdrawal less than one month before the course start date will result in the forfeiture of the entire fee.