Select the Best Class Option for You

At Trinity Irish Dance Academy, we have three ways to take your first steps a Trinity Irish Dancer. Please choose the best option below at our studio in Palatine.

Free Trial

To try a free trial dance class, please click the green button below.

Book free trial class

Dance Camps

NOW OPEN: Join us for our 10-week Spring Camp in March 2026.

Weekly Classes

FALL ENROLLMENT 25/26 now open!

No dance experience necessary

River Class (3 ½ – 5)

3 ½ – 5 year olds (River Class) dance in preschool level classes geared towards learning to move their bodies, count music, take turns and perform on stage with older buddies.

If your dancer turns 5 on or after 9/1/2025, please register them for the River Class.

Cork/Derry Class (5 – 12)

5 – 12 year olds (Cork/Derry Class) get going right away in Beginner level classes and start learning the Light Jig and Reel. NOW OPEN: Register now for our January classes. Note: We require a minimum of 5 dancers for our January classes to open. Once you register, we will inform you of the class status by Monday, December 22, 2025.

If your dancer turns 5 before 9/1/2025, please register them for the Cork/Derry Class.

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The Trinity Method – A Balanced Approach

The Trinity program is held together by its unique balanced approach that includes solo dancing, team dancing, and performance. Represented by the Trinity knot, this three-part balance of opportunities combines with a powerful philosophy of empowerment to improve students’ technical skills as well as teach invaluable life lessons.

While Trinity students have proven their talent on the stage, it’s the personal strength and self-esteem gained from experiencing the power of Irish dance in a welcoming community that helps them achieve a lifetime of success. 

Read more about our program

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If you have questions prior to registering, or would prefer to register over the phone, contact us at info@trinityirishdance.com or call us at (877) 326-2328.

Our registration portal makes it very easy to register online – visit the Classes and Locations page and select the right location for you to view class offerings. If you have questions prior to registering, or would prefer to register over the phone, contact us at info@trinityirishdance.com or call us at (877) 326-2328.

Our River Program (ages 3½ – 5) attend weekly class for 45 minutes. Our Cork/Derry Program (ages 6 – 12) attend weekly class for 1 hour. Camp options can vary in length, details will always be posted on the Classes and Locations page.

River Program (3½ – 5 Years Old): This comprehensive program is specially designed for younger children. This program provides a fun, energetic environment for them to begin learning the fundamentals of Irish Dance and incorporates stretching, balance, and coordination exercises. Classes run weekly for 45 minutes, with opportunities to perform starting in March. We cannot wait for you to see the growth your young child will experience over the course of this first year.

Cork/Derry Program (5 – 12 Years Old): While some Beginners may have experienced 1-2 years of a River or Cork/Derry class previously, most of our Beginner dancers are brand new to Trinity! This program is created to introduce Irish dance, history, and culture in a fun, encouraging, supportive environment. Dancers will learn the Irish Jig and Reel, basic technique, and routines for stretching and strengthening. Our Beginners spend the first trimester attending an hour-long class weekly, and beginning in January are introduced to a second class a week that focuses purely on performing! This second class runs through our very favorite time of the year, St. Patrick’s Day, at which time Beginner dancers will take the stage for the first time! Get ready to be amazed by what your dancer has accomplished in such a short amount of time.

A Beginner dancer takes their core class where they learn fundamental technique and their first Irish dance steps once a week. All children who would like to perform, such as dancing in St. Patrick Day shows, enroll in an additional weekly class January through March called Trinity Performance Troupe (TPT). This class has an additional fee associated with it, and also requires the purchase of a costume. Dancers in our River program, ages 3½ – 5, do not take an extra class, but must pay a small registration fee and purchase a costume in order to perform.

Trinity’s dance season runs very similar to a child’s school year, Fall through Summer. We kick off our beginner classes in September and run through June/July depending on location and day. 

We understand that littles are trying to find what makes them shine, and that means wanting to join at any time of year. Trinity has designed their weekly classes and camps with this in mind to ensure your child is set up for success in our dance studio!

Trinity’s River Program (ages 3½ – 5): Allows year round weekly core class enrollment.

Trinity’s Cork/Derry Program (ages 5 – 12): is recommended for Fall enrollment, but other options available year round. 

ANY TIME OF YEAR: Try a Free Trial Class *date/time will be confirmed.

NEW YEAR & SPRING: We recommend our annual 10 Week Spring Camp found on our Classes and Locations page. This Spring Camp will align with the end of our dance season and all dancers are invited to join us to perform on stage in June for Illinois and August for Wisconsin.

SUMMER: River Program and Cork/Derry Ages, join our Trinity Summer Camps on our Classes and Locations page.

Dancers should wear shorts and a t-shirt, along with white socks and Irish dance shoes. Dancers can begin in tennis shoes or ballet slippers for the first few classes until they are able to get Irish dance shoes. Clothing should be comfortable and non-restrictive to allow for easy movement. Irish dancing is a fun, energetic art form, but also rooted in technique. Our dress code allows our teachers to study each dancer’s technique and make appropriate corrections.

While parents are not allowed to observe weekly classes, we do have scheduled parent observation/meeting nights that occur every 1-2 months where you will be invited in for the last 15 minutes of the class to observe and see how your child is doing in class. We find that our students focus best on learning when it’s just them and a teacher in the room. Moms, dads, babysitters…whoever brings your child to class…is likely a very important person to that little dancer, and your dancer will be looking to them for approval during class rather than focusing on what is being taught and the encouragement of their instructor. All of our locations have parent waiting areas so you are welcome to hang out there or drop off and pick up.

RIVER Program (ages 3½ – 5): $74/month charged the first week of the month with the credit card or bank account you enter upon registration. 

CORK/DERRY Program (ages 5 – 12): $78/month charged the first week of the month with the credit card or bank account you enter upon registration. 

Administrative Fee:* An annual non-refundable $100 per family, registration fee will apply. This does not apply to any camps, for our weekly classes only.

Upon enrolling in a weekly class, your tuition for the full session is split up over 10-11 months (September through June/July). Tuition is charged on the first of every month with the credit card or bank account you have on file. Additionally, each family will be charged a $100 registration fee upon enrolling.

Yes! We offer two discounts for new families registering:

3rd Child Free – This discount is applied to your family’s yearly base tuition.  A 50% discount is applied to the third child on any supplemental programming that 3 or more dancers are enrolled in. If three or more dancers are not enrolled in the same program, the 3rd child free discount does not apply.

10% off for Families with a Parent in the Military, Police, or Fire Department – If a parent is an active soldier, police officer, firefighter, or fire-paramedic please let us know and we will apply this discount to your family’s yearly base tuition.  This discount does not apply to additional programming.