IRISH DANCE CLASSES - CALGARY


As of July 2023, I am pleased to announce that MJP Academy of Irish Dance will be merging with the Blakey O’Brien school in the upcoming dance year. You will still be able to find all of the amazing MJP staff and dancers at the Blakey O’Brien school. So if you like what we do and are interested in dancing with us, please see the Blakey O’Brien website to register for the 2023-2024 dance year.

We will still be holding our MJP Beginner Summer Camp as planned in July.


A SAFE, FUN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS TO MEET NEW FRIENDS AND GET IN SHAPE!

MJP is the ideal Irish dance school for dancers who are looking for a fun, supportive atmosphere and have a drive to reach their goals.

At MJP, develop life skills such as: Self-Confidence, Teamwork, Leadership, a Strong Work Ethic, Creativity and a Healthy Lifestyle.


-MJP is owned and operated by Joelle Anderson who received both her Masters of Irish Dance and her teacher training in Limerick, Ireland.

-Top quality Irish dance instruction by professional and experienced teachers that know how to have fun!

-A structured environment where kids can still enjoy being a kid.

-For boys and girls

-Age 2 and up

- Adult classes

-Great for fitness!

-Make new friends

-Classes in North Calgary (Highwood) and South Calgary (Bonavista)

-Choose to dance for fun, fitness or competition.


With classes 4 days a week for beginners to pre-professional, in the North and South of Calgary, MJP teachers cater to a variety of ages and abilities. MJP offers numerous performance opportunities, exciting workshops and fun in-house activities throughout the year.

Students of MJP have the option of focusing their dance careers towards competition, show dancing (for example: Riverdance), team dancing, or fitness. MJP also offers a comprehensive teacher training program for students interested in assistant teaching or becoming certified teachers.

If you’re looking to start for the first time, or to pursue a career in Irish dance, MJP Academy certainly has it all under the one roof.


Classes


Do the Impossible, Find your Passion

2021-2022 Schedule Sept-June Registration Package Irish Dance Class Fees Calgary Calendar Calgary Irish Dance Calgary Locations

BEGINNER SUMMER
CAMP 2023

July 17-19

If you would like to learn Irish dancing, play games and make crafts, then come and join us this July for three days of fun!
If you have never danced before, then this camp is for you!

Register before May 31, 2023 for an early bird 10% discount. Use code EARLY10

TINY TOES 9am-10:30am. Age 2-4 $75.00 per dancer (GST included)
Tiny Toe camp classes will focus on developing physical co-ordination, songs and counting, introduction to rhythm, and movement exploration.
Daily activities will be much like our yearly classes. Students will spend their time learning the basics of dance, developing their fine motor skills, games and crafts and choreography with a performance at the end of the week.

 

HALF DAY CAMP 9am-12pm. Age 4-9 $135.00 per dancer (GST included)
During this three-day program, dancers will benefit from cardiovascular exercise, development of their sense of rhythm versus timing, and learn the basics of Irish dance. Children will enjoy crafts, games, history, fun Irish facts, and, weather permitting, stretching and games outdoors. Parents are invited to share our new dance knowledge through a performance on the final day of camp.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP 2023

Registration
2023

As of July 2023, I am pleased to announce that MJP Academy of Irish Dance will be merging with the Blakey O’Brien school in the upcoming dance year. You will still be able to find all of the amazing MJP staff and dancers at the Blakey O’Brien school. So if you like what we do and are interested in dancing with us, please see the Blakey O’Brien website to register for the 2023-2024 dance year.

We will still be holding our MJP Beginner Summer Camp as planned in July.

CLICK HERE FOR BLAKEY O'BRIEN


Our 2
Studio Locations

NORTH
Highwood Community Center, 16 Harlow Ave. N.W. MAP

Highwood Studio

SOUTH
Bonavista, #14, 1215 Lake Sylvan Dr S.E. MAP

Bonavista Studio

MJP at the
NORTH AMERICAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS
2022

A fun video highlighting how our dancers did at this year's North American Championships.


Used Shoe Rental
Program

Provided by the not-for-profit association: MJPIDA


Our rental program helps parents to avoid the expense of buying multiple pairs of new shoes a year when dancers are rapidly growing.

-Both Hard shoes and Soft Shoes available.

-When shoes become too small, they can be exchanged within the current rental contract for that dance year.

-Rental prices are between $40.00-$100.00 and are based on shoe condition.

-The Shoe Coordinator can be contacted at mjpshoes@hotmail.com.

There is also a very limited inventory of previously used MJP T-shirts/jackets, wigs, etc. sold on a consignment basis. If you wish to sell an item on consignment, please email the Shoe Coordinator with item's size, condition and desired price. (Remember to add on $5.00 as a donation to MJPIDA for selling your item for you).

HOW RENTAL WORKS

1) At the beginning of the dance year, shoes will be fitted by a volunteer and approved by the teacher(s).

2) A rental contract will be completed, deposit taken and a rental fee paid.

HOW DONATION WORKS

1) Bring in your old dance shoes (Hard or Soft) to have them assessed by our volunteers.

2) MJPIDA will offer you a price for your shoes and purchase them from you if they are in good enough condition to be used for rentals.



The only way of finding the limits
of the possible is by going beyond
them into the impossible.
Arthur C. Clarke

RegistrATION
2023-2024


As of July 2023, I am pleased to announce that MJP Academy of Irish Dance will be merging with the Blakey O’Brien school in the upcoming dance year. You will still be able to find all of the amazing MJP staff and dancers at the Blakey O’Brien school. So if you like what we do and are interested in dancing with us, please see the Blakey O’Brien website to register for the 2023-2024 dance year.

We will still be holding our MJP Beginner Summer Camp as planned in July.

CLICK HERE FOR BLAKEY O'BRIEN

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A true artist
is not one who is inspired,
but one who inspires others.
Salvador Dali

Our
Calendar


For more information on upcoming competitions (times, location etc.) please visit the WCIDTA website.

When you dance to your own rhythm,
life taps its toes to your beat.
Terri Guillemets

About
MJPAcademy

We bring a personal focus
to teaching Irish dance
and instilling self-confidence.
Which is why
our students love to dance
and why they keep coming back.

Life is the dancer
and you are the dance.
Eckhart Tolle

Questions
& answers

Have a question?
take a look below

Below are the most frequently asked questions we get from families of MJP. If you have a question you don't see below, feel free to contact us.

What do I wear to class? (Children and Adults)

Students in all class levels are required to come to class wearing proper attire as this allows instructors to see and correct body placement.

Proper attire consists of:

  1. Leggings or shorts (optional skirt over shorts). Shorts and skirts must be above the knee. Tights should be worn underneath shorts that are excessively short.
  2. A well-fitting T-shirt or tank top
  3. Tights and a body suit (skirts are optional), black bodysuits are recommended as they can also be used for performances
  4. Clean, white socks or poodle socks (for 2nd year dancers and up)
  5. Hair pulled back and out of your face (i.e. Ponytail)
  6. A proper supportive sports bra for older dancers
  7. Dance shoes (PLEASE LABEL YOUR SHOES WITH YOUR NAME)

Jeans, long pants with lose bottoms or long skirts are a tripping hazard and are NOT PERMITTED

What age should wear a mask?
A mask should not be placed on a child younger than age 2. Age 2 and up CAN wear a mask but, for ages 2 through 4, we may not be successful in getting them to keep it on. :) We encourage these youngest dancers to wear a mask on their way in and out of the building and when they head to the bathroom but we also understand that kids are kids and if these youngest dancers are having a "day" and arrive without their mask, they can still dance. Social distancing measures will be maintained to keep them safe.

We have also ordered some super cute one-use masks that might get them excited enough to put one on as they enter the building. :)

PLEASE PREPARE YOUNG DANCERS Please let your dancer know ahead of time that their teachers will be wearing masks. We don't them to get a scare on their first day!
What do I wear for shows?
This question requires a long answer so please see our Show Guide here.
What kind of shoes will I need?

A CHEAPER OPTION

Beginner girls may wear black ballet slippers. (Pink ballet slippers may be worn but if dancing in performances, black slippers are required)
Beginner boys may wear a black jazz shoe.
Ballet slippers and jazz shoes can be found NEW at City Dancewear and Bodythings. They can also be found USED at Once Upon A Child

IRISH DANCE SHOES
Girls wear a soft black slipper-like shoe called a ghillie (also called pomps)
Boys wear a boys reel shoe. These shoes have a hard heel on them that makes a clicking noise when they hit their heels together.
If you intend to purchase these shoes, please do not buy them at the ballet shops around town as they will sell you Highland dance shoes instead of ghillies which are the wrong shoe.

For more information, please read our MJP Shoe guide HERE

Where can I buy new or used Irish Dance shoes?
Shoes can be purchased used online, or rented second hand at MJP by using the "MJPIDA Shoe Rental program" at mjpshoes@hotmail.com

Or purchase new at Steele Celtic Dancewear at the following address: 576 Coach Grove Road S.W. Calgary, AB Phone:(403) 686-3514
When do I get to use hardshoes?
Dancers are usually ready to begin using hardshoes in their second year, around December. For more information, please read our MJP Shoe guide HERE
Where can I buy Irish music?
Feis the App and Beat-Irish Dance Feis Music App are two specifically Irish dance music apps offering practice music for dancers at all levels. Beginner music is free on both apps. Music for higher levels requires monthly subscriptions.

Itunes can be a good resource. Try starting with a search for "Light Jig". That will usually bring up Irish dance music.
We also have links to some of my favourite musicians in our "Members Only" section of the website.
Do I have to compete?
No. Competition is a big decision and requires that the dancer and the family make the choice together to take the next step with their dancing.
Are the adult classes for complete beginners?
Yes. Although the more advanced students are often mixed with the new students. This makes classes larger and more enjoyable for the students.
Are the adult classes for serious dancers only?
No. Adults can take lessons just for fun and/or exercise or they can do shows or compete or any combination of these.
How old are the dancers in the adult classes?
Adult dancers range in age from young adult and up. (I would be in trouble if I told how old our oldest dancer is). There is no age limit in the adult classes at MJP.
What is MJPIDA?
MJP Irish Dance Association (MJPIDA) is MJP Academy of Irish Dance’s Non-Profit Society. Membership is open to anyone over the age of majority. Parents/guardians of dancers and/or dancers who have reached age of majority may apply for family membership.
All families and dancers are encouraged to join and participate in the MJPIDA. The full MJPIDA handbook can be read HERE and outlines the benefits of membership and participation by parents and dancers.
MJPIDA supports all MJPIDA member dance students.
Are the MJPIDA meetings mandatory?
No, but the decisions made at MJPIDA meetings affect all dancers at MJP academy. Also, going to meetings helps parents to keep informed and allows parents from the North and South locations meet one another.
What do the initials M.J.P. stand for?
The intials M.J.P. stand for Miss. Joelle's Performing (Academy of Irish Dance).

The only way of finding the limits
of the possible is by going beyond
them into the impossible.
Arthur C. Clarke

ContactUs

Get in touch
let's have a chat
we can help you
with your questions

  • Phone: (403) 271 0696
    Emails: (@hotmail.com)
    Main email: mjpacademy
    Secretary: mjp.askme
    Accounting: mjpacctsreceivable
    Fundraiser: mjpidafundraising
    Used Shoe/Dresses: mjpshoes

  •  


  • HALL LOCATIONS

    BONAVISTA -SOUTH
    #14, 1215 Lake Sylvan Dr SE
    Calgary, Alberta


    HIGHWOOD -NORTH
    16 Harlow Avenue N.W.
    Calgary, Alberta

Follow Us, Like Us...all the social stuff

Believe you can
and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt