The 5th-7th July saw the first Marie Duffy Foundation Seminar which was held in the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick. I was lucky enough to attend the weekend with my sister Lindsay.
I left UL four and a half years ago after studying the Irish Music & Dance degree and it was very strange being back after such a long time. It was amazing weather and was lovely walking around the campus in the sun and across the Living Bridge to the Academy and reminiscing about my time there.
The seminar was for TCRGs (qualified Irish dance teachers like my sister) and those looking to take their TCRG exam in the next few years (like me). It was great to see so many dance teachers together in a non-competitive environment.
The weekend was packed full of lectures and practical sessions from a number of guest speakers. There were sessions on nutrition, the mind and positive thinking, traditional set dances, warm-ups and fitness, history of Irish dance, education in Irish music and dance and more. I particularly enjoyed the nutrition session, the trad set dance practical and also the warm-ups section.
I had a brilliant time over the weekend at the seminar and have taken a lot from it which I can hopefully use in the future when I take my TCRG exam to get the most out of dancers and to make classes productive and fun.
If (and when) there are further Marie Duffy Foundation seminars I’d be delighted to attend again and highly recommend them to any TCRGs and prospective TCRGs out there.
