Teachers show their dancers how to be a good winner, and a good loser. These are some of the most important lessons that we learn. My teacher is strict enough to make us work hard, but knows when we need that extra bit of encouragement. She teaches us how to be solo dancers, and how to work as a team. She makes us, the dancers, feel like we are in it together, all working for the same goal.
Ceili dances are a big part of the social side to Irish dancing.
Ceilis are team dances that involve anywhere from three to sixteen dancers. The most common in the regional, national, or world championships are 8-hands and figures. Figures have either 12 or 16 dancers, and the teacher makes up the choreography. Ceilis are judged based on how the dancers work together. Each line must be exactly straight, every turn must be done together, and every arm must be held the same height.