The Shovlin family has been integral in the development of Irish music and dance in Western Pennsylvania since the late 1960's. Their parents Peter Sr. and Celia emigrated from Co. Donegal, Ireland. Once settled in Pittsburgh, they worked to ensure that Irish musical and dance traditions were available to their eight children locally.

Peter Sr., a traditional Irish fiddler since his youth, along with several of the founding members of the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh, worked to secure the services of an Irish step-dance teacher in nearby Ohio for weekly classes in Pittsburgh. These classes, conducted by Theresa Burke, ADCRG, spawned a generation of young Irish step-dancers in Western Pennsylvania that continues today and helped to begin a tradition of competitive and exhibition step-dancing never before seen in this area. Local dancers now perform and compete each year throughout the United States, Canada and Ireland.

The Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance, or Scoil Rince na Tri Abhainn - Dance School of the Three Rivers now takes its place as part of that tradition. The Shovlin Academy currently offers regular instruction in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh and in Johnstown. Currently, there are five family members actively teaching with the school – Sheila, Elizabeth, Patricia, Peter Jr., and John.

About the Instructors…

Sheila Shovlin, TCRG - Sheila a certified instructor of step-dancing, as sanctioned by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha, or the Irish Dance Commission, based in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. She is former champion dancer who began dancing at the age of 4. She has won numerous awards at the highest levels of competition and has distinguished herself nationally and internationally during her fourteen-year competitive career, including the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne - the World Championships of Irish Dance, held annually in Ireland.

Elizabeth Shovlin Grinko, TMRF - Liz is a certified ceili dance instructor, as sanctioned by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha, or the Irish Dance Commission, based in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Also a former step dancer, Liz spent nine years as a teacher’s assistant and performance moderator for the Burke Irish Centre Dancers in Pittsburgh. In addition to teaching with the Shovlin Academy, Liz is currently a ceili and set-dancing instructor for the Pittsburgh Ceili Club.

Peter Shovlin, Jr. TCRG - Peter is a certified instructor of step-dancing, also sanctioned by An Coimisiun. A former champion Irish step-dancer, Peter competed for ten years. He is also a former professional ballet dancer, having worked as a student-apprentice with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre under the direction of Ms. Patricia Wilde, and as a company member of Ballet Metropolitan, Columbus, Ohio, and the Irish National Ballet Company, Cork City, Ireland. In 1990, he founded the Pittsburgh Ceili Club, a membership organization that continues to promote traditional Irish ceili and set-dancing in the greater Pittsburgh area.

John Shovlin - John is a former champion dancer who began dancing and competing at the age of 5. He won numerous awards at the highest levels of competition during his eighteen-year competitive career, including being the first Pittsburgh native to compete in the Regional/National US Championships, as well the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne.- the World Championships of Irish Dance, held annually in Ireland. John is also a Past President of the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh and a player for the Pittsburgh Celtics Gaelic Football Team.

We are also honored to have the following dancers assisting with classes: Patricia Shovlin, Maura McGregor, Anastasia Paletta and Angelica Paletta in Pittsburgh, and Jordan Long at Johnstown classes.

About the Irish Dance Commission…

The Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance is a member of An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha, the Irish Dance Commission, the largest sanctioning body for Irish dance teachers, adjudicators and competitions worldwide.

An Coimisiun is a membership organization that was founded as part of a government directive under the auspices of the Gaelic League during the early years of the Republic. The mission of the Gaelic League was to revive and educate the Irish populace on aspects of their native cultural heritage, much of which had been neglected or lost altogether during the years of occupation.

The Commission continues today as an independent, international organization and is central to the promulgation of Irish dance, music and other aspects of Irish culture through competitions. These competitions are referred to as feisanna (pron. 'fesh-AN-ah'), which derives its meaning from old Gaelic reference to a local gathering featuring dance and music in a friendly, competitive setting. Feis (pron. ‘fesh’) offerings now also include a variety of items, including instrumental music, English and sean nos vocals, gaelic language and baking contests and take place year round throughout North America, Ireland, Great Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand.

IRISH STEP DANCING CLASSES ~ Pittsburgh

Schedule & Registration Form (September 2007 - May 2008)

Please send attached form by Sept 1st with $15 registration fee. Tuition due 1st day of class.

LOCATION Dormont Municipal Building, 1444 Hillsdale Ave, Pittsburgh, PA. 15216

AGES 6 & up

CLASSES CLASSES BEGIN à Monday September 10th & Wednesday September 12th
Monday /
Wednesday
Beginner 1 (ages 6 & up) / 5:00-5:45pm / Advanced Beginner 3 / 5:00-6:00pm
Advanced Beginner 1 / 5:45-6:45pm / Novice 1 / 6:00-7:00pm
Advanced Beginner 2 / 6:45-7:45pm / Novice 2 / 7:00-8:15pm+
Private/Semi Private Time* / 7:45pm-TBD / Open/PC / 7:45-9:00pm+
+ Intentional Overlap
** Private and Semi Private Time available upon request for an additional fee (Monday after 7:45pm and Saturday 9am-12pm).
Note: Beginner class sizes will be limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

NO CLASSES on the following dates:

Mon Sept 3
Nov 26
Dec 24 & Dec 31
Mar 17
May 19
May 26 / Wed Sept 5
Nov 21
Dec 26 & Jan 2
Mar 19
May 21
May 28 / Labor Day 9/3 & Irish Fest Rehearsal 9/5
Thanksgiving Week
Christmas & New Years
St. Patrick’s Day Week
Snow Day Buffers
Memorial Day

Special Dates: Pgh Feis Sat 10/6, Youngstown Feis Sun 10/7, Feis Culkin Sun 11/4, Pgh St. Pat’s Parade is Sat 3/15,

West VA Feis early April, Ceili Mor early May, Akron Feis Sat 5/24, Cleveland Feis Sun 5/25. All students

eligible to attend each. Visit www.NorthAmericanFeisCommission.org for a full list of feiseanna.

TUITION
/ 3 Payments of
(1st day of class, 11/1, & 3/1) / OR / Yearly Rate
(Due 1st day of class)

Lesson Fee:

/ $95 / $262
Family Discount: 2nd child / $85 / $235
3rd child / $48 / $132
4th child & Up / No Charge
Registration Fee: / $15 per student, due with registration form.
1st payment or yearly rate due 1st day of class.
·  All students receive a free logo school item w/registration (to be passed out sometime during the first month of class).
·  All checks should be made payable to "Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance"
·  Private/semi-private lessons available for schedule upon request for an additional fee.
REFUND POLICY

The Registration Fee is non-refundable. Only those classes that take place after the School is contacted about a student's withdrawal will be refunded (i.e., past-tense missed classes will not be refunded). Any discounts will no longer apply. Students withdrawing will be refunded money paid minus $10 per student per class for those classes that have taken place prior to the point of formal withdrawal.

REGISTRATION

·  Students must be registered by September 1st.

·  To register, please complete form below for each child and submit with payment to:

Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance

c/o 820 Parkside Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15228

·  Please plan to mail December and March payments by the 1st to same address (if applicable).

·  Registration questions can emailed to Liz Shovlin Grinko at .

------ PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY ------

Returning-Student Enrollment Information and Liability / Medical Waiver

(Check info & make corrections. Signed form must be received for each child before they will be admitted to class.)

REGISTRATION FEE (due by Sept 1st): $15 due with registration form by September 1st.

PAYMENT OPTIONS (due 1st day of class):

·  1st student/child 3 payments of $95 or yearly rate of $262

·  2nd child 3 payments of $85 or yearly rate of $235

·  3rd child 3 payments of $48 or yearly rate of $132

·  4th child NO CHARGE

Student's Name / Date of Birth
Dance Class / Class Time
Mother’s Name (& Address/Phone if different)
Father’s Name (& Address/Phone if different)
Primary Guardian (indicate relation to child)
Street Address
City / State / Zip / Email Address(es)
Eve Phone / Day Phone / Mobile Phone
I am the parent or legal guardian of / (child's name), age / years and hereby request that he/she be
permitted to engage in Irish Dance class, utilizing facilities owned, operated and/or maintained by Dormont Municipal Building, Pittsburgh, PA. I
expressly acknowledge and recognize that participation in said dance activities creates a rise of injury to person or property and hereby expressly
release, remise and forever discharge the class instructors and their assigns, Dormont Municipal Building, Pittsburgh, PA and its officers, agents
and employees from any liability for any and all claims, suits or causes of action arising from injuries to the person or property of
(child's name) as a result of his/her use of recreational facilities owned, operated and/or maintained by
Dormont Municipal Building, Pittsburgh, PA.
Your signature here on this waiver confirms that this student does not have any pre-existing medical condition that would prohibit
or limit their full participation in his/her class curriculum. Should your child/this student have a pre-existing medical condition that would limit or
prohibit their full participation in his/her class curriculum, you must provide written medical clearance from his/her primary care physician prior to
admittance as a student of the Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance.
I have read this release and intending to be legally bound have set my signature hereunder.
Parent/Guardian Signature / Date