Dance Schools – What The Feis

Well, we have had two classes at the new school and I am very impressed with things so far. The GC likes it and is learning new things already. They seem very organized and, as we say in the Navy, ‘hit the deckplates running.’ On the second night of class, the teacher gave us a school decal window sticker for the car… I know, you are saying, so what’s the big deal? We were with the other school for four years, never had the opportunity to buy, never mind have given to us, any logo gear for the school. I offered to make the old school a website and they said no, the new school has one already, and did I tell you they have only been open for about 2 weeks? This is not a slam, at least not intentionally, on the old school, just a positive endorsement for the new. We have only had 2 classes.

And sideways smiles… ? It was bound to happen. We ran into some of the old school Moms at a local sandwich shop and we caught that awkward smile and hello. It was friendly enough but there was something in there that said, ‘you traitor’ or maybe, ‘is the grass really greener?’ It was hard to tell.

Anyway, another practice on Sunday will end our first week at the new place. I assume we will fall into the routine soon enough and these updates will end. So far though, I think we made the right decision.

On a side note, I had a dream that the GC’s old teacher was a school teacher for me and I was dreading going to the class. Obviously I am harboring some guilt…. damn Catholic upbringing 😉

For those of you who read Confeissions of a feis Mom, a recent post referred to a feis Mom in southern Ohio who was facing a can of worms. Truth be told, I am that Mom, except I am not a Mom, or a woman for that matter, and the author was trying to protect my anonymity in a time of decision.

We were debating about changing dance schools, and this past weekend, we took the plunge. We heard there was a new school opening in our area, an opportunity that had never presented itself, and we were intrigued. I won’t say we were disappointed with the school we were attending, and no, I will not name names, at least not intentionally, but there were things that my OCD side had less patience for, lets just put it that way.

So, when the girl child(GC) mentioned the new school and that her friend was moving, and she wanted to move too, unless of course her friend changed her mind, we attended the open house with trepidation. We had gone through numerous heart-to-hearts with the GC about what if it does not work out, and how are you going to feel about seeing Instructor X at a feis after leaving her, and 4 years is a long time to just up and move, and you can’t compete for 6 months, and…. well, you get the idea. So we went…

Within ten minutes of chatting with one of the assistants, the wife woman(WW) and I realized that this was an opportunity we should take advantage of. My OCD side was impressed, the rates were cheaper, they had all the right answers, yada, yada, yada…. We signed up on the spot.

The next part was a little dicey, having to call the current teacher, and the WW said I could handle it. I thought a sincerely worded email might do the trick and she said, ‘no, you call’. ‘If you have an opinion on how it should be done, you do it” I replied, so she did. She handled it very well and I got a little choked up as I listened. I mean, 4 years is a long time and the instructor helped the GC love Irish Dance. Honestly, I was a little sad. The teacher handled it very well, asked questions and ended by wishing us luck. Well done I thought.

We found out later that if you are going to leave a dance school for another school, and you may be the first of a few, it is good to be the first to call the instructor. The second call (as we found out later) did not go as smoothly. I am afraid there will be more and I dont envy the callers.

Well, the can of worms is open….. the grass, as of now is greener… a few days will tell.

So far, so good and sideways smiles…

A Feis Mom, a can of worms and me….