Put Your Best Foot Forward this Feis Season

2. Set Realistic Goals

Looking ahead to the coming feis season, make sure to write down your goals. Try to think of five ways that you want to improve your dancing. Some can be competition-based (Win my novice reel and move to prizewinner), but other goals can be physical (Fix my posture in soft shoe), or even social (Cheer on 5 different friends when they dance at the next feis). Customize your goals to yourself and your dancing. If you need help setting goals, ask your dance teachers what they recommend for you in the upcoming feis season.

3. Polish Your “Look”

Before the feis season starts, prepare your “look” for the upcoming competitions. Here is a handy checklist:

• Does your vest or dress fit? Is your dress too short because of an unexpected growth spurt?
• If you are allowed to wear makeup check your feis makeup supply. Replace anything that is expired, spilled, or used-up.
• If you got a new dress in the last few months, does your feis makeup match that color scheme?
• How does your wig look? If it is frizzy or if it does not complement your dress style, take steps to purchase a new wig.
• Do you have clean, white poodle socks ready to go?
• If you use tanner/bronzer, do you have enough left for the next few feiseanna?
• Do your hard and soft shoes still fit? Are there holes in your soft shoes, or do you need new tips/heels on your hard shoes?
• Make sure your all your accessories are ready—does anything need to be re-blinged?

Plan ahead so that nothing gets in the way of your success on feis day!

4. Reach Out for Advice

Getting ready for feiseanna can be daunting if you don’t know what to work on. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for advice. Build friendships with dancers in your class and ask them to watch you and critique your dancing. Ask your teachers how you can improve; maybe they can give you a private lesson during the week leading up to a feis. Even though most parents or siblings don’t know the details of turnout, crossing, or rhythm, you could ask your family to watch you practice and give you their opinions. For example, they can tell if your arms move, if you get tired early and lose stamina, or if your jumps and kicks seem too low.

5. Commit to Practicing

Before the feis season starts, make a commitment to practice regularly at home. Create a schedule, or chart for yourself to keep track of when and what you practice. I first became serious about competing when I started a practice journal every week—I wrote down how long I stretched, how long I danced, what I practiced specifically, and what I needed to improve. It gave me structure and made me accountable to my parents and teachers. I brought the practice journal to dance class and showed my TCRGs what I had accomplished. Making a practice calendar and keeping track for yourself will help you reach your goals and set you up for success.

6. Prep Your Packing List

Finally, make yourself a detailed list of everything you need to pack for a feis. The night before a competition, you should be relaxing and focusing on your dances, not panicking about where your lost earring could be! Think head-to-toe and be ready for any situation. Here are some items that many dancers forget to add to their packing list:

• Black or white electrical tape
• Items for a slippery stage, like gaffer tape, rosin, or duct tape
• Bandaids
• Extra soft shoe laces
• Water bottle
• Ear Buds/Headphones
• Sock Glue
• Safety Pins
• Hard shoe elastics
• Extra bobby pins
• Hairspray
• String (if you need to tie your number on)
• Extra makeup, especially lipstick
• Extra socks
• Bronzer/Tanner for touch-up
• Black permanent marker

 If you follow these steps and stay focused on your goals, you will be unstoppable in the upcoming feis season! Good luck, and remember to put your best foot forward.

Mary Catherine Youssi is a TCRG at the Milwaukee Academy of Irish Dance and Assistant Director of the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company. She has been an Irish dancer since 1998, an instructor since 2011, and a TCRG since 2017. Having obtained her BA in English and Political Science from UW-Milwaukee and her JD from Marquette University, Mary practices law in the Milwaukee area. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for Irish Dance with all IDM readers around the world.