Pre-Beginner-
Pre-Beginner is often called Tir na Nog. It is for little kids who are usually under 6 years old and have just started dance. All the dancers usually get medals. Steps are done one step, one person at a time.
Beginner-
Beginner is the first actually category. In beginner, dancers compete in Light Jig, Reel, and Slip Jig. Dances are done two steps, two at a time. To move out of beginner a dancer must win a first, second, or third place in a particular step. When you win one of those, you move up to Novice in that dance.
Novice-
Novice dancers compete in the Light Jig, Reel, Slip Jig, Single Jig, Hornpipe, Treble Jig, and Traditional set. All dances, except Traditional set, are done two steps, two at a time. In traditional Sets, dancers doing the same set do the dance in groups of two or three. To move up from Novice, a dancer must get a 1st place in a particular dance. Sorry, 2nds and 3rd just don't cut it any more :( When you move up to Novice, you probably know some hardshoe dances that you can compete in. That's when the fun starts :)
Prizewinner-
The next category up from Novice is Prizewinner. Prizewinner dancers compete in the same dances as Novice dancers: Reel, Light Jig, Slip Jig, Hornpipe, Treble Jig, and Traditional Set. Dances are also done two steps two at a time. Also, in Prizewinner, girls may want to get a Solo Dress, a very pretty dress worn by very good dancers. Dancers compete to move up to Preliminary Championship. To get into Prelims, a dancer must receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in hardshoe dance and a soft shoe dance and have all of their dances in Prizewinner.
Preliminary Championship-
Preliminary Championship is the 2nd highest level of Irish dancing. Dancers compete by dancing a Reel or Slip Jig and a set Piece of Choice. If a girl did not get a Solo dress in Prizewinner she should buy it when she is in Preliminary. To move up to Open Championship, a dancer must receive two first places over the period of one year.
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