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Gaelic Origins Mission

To build a community around the love of Gaelic (Irish/Scottish) culture and dance, to blend performing art and athleticism through dance, and foster habits of excellence in our students by encouraging passion and fun while heavily emphasizing discipline, consistency, and effort.

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About GO! ID

Get to know us

Gaelic Origins is an Irish dance school focused on fostering a community around the Gaelic (Irish/Scottish) culture. We offer Irish dance classes for all ages, as well as community dance events. We focus on spreading a love & awareness of the Gaelic culture through dance while prioritizing building habits of excellence through discipline, consistency & effort. Gaelic Origins LLC is owned & operated by Fiona Hershberger, TCRG, & offers classes at our home studio in O'Fallon IL catering to the St Louis Metro East and Scott Air Force Base community. GO! ID is excited to provide you & your dancer with a wonderful dancing experience!

FAQs

What ages do you accept?

We offer classes for dancers ages 2 through adult!

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Preschool Program

Jump, Jig & Play is our preschool movement and Irish dance introduction program:

  • Ages 2–3

  • Ages 4–5

 

School-Age Classes

Our traditional Irish dance program begins with:

  • Level 1: Typically ages 6+, though some 5-year-olds may be individually placed based on readiness.

 

Teen & Adult Dancers

Teen dancers ages 16+ may participate in either:

  • Youth classes at their appropriate level

  • Adult classes

We also offer beginner-friendly adult classes for dancers with no previous experience.

 

Can dancers start at any time?

Yes! Gaelic Origins operates on a continuous enrollment model, so dancers are welcome to join year-round rather than waiting for a specific season or semester.

 

Do you offer a trial class?

Yes — we offer a free trial class for all new dancers.

You can register for a trial here:
Free Trial Registration Form

 

What should my dancer wear to the trial class?

No special equipment is needed for the trial class.

Dancers should wear:

  • Comfortable workout/play clothes

  • Socks or sneakers

 

What equipment is required after registration?

Once enrolled, dancers will need:

  • A Gaelic Origins class t-shirt

  • Irish dance socks

  • Soft shoes ("ghillies")

Soft shoes are available through the studio or online and typically cost around $45.

Hard shoes are introduced beginning in Level 2.

How much are classes?

Our beginner Level 1 classes are:

  • 45 minutes long

  • $60/month

Additional class options and competitive levels vary by age and training level.

 

How do dancers advance between levels?

Advancement at Gaelic Origins is skills-based rather than age-based.

Dancers move up when they demonstrate:

  • Technical mastery

  • Strength and coordination

  • Musical timing

  • Readiness for the next level curriculum

 

Because every dancer learns differently, advancement timelines are highly individual and depend heavily on:

  • Practice consistency

  • Class attendance

  • Individual skill mastery

 

Some dancers progress very quickly, while others benefit from additional time building confidence and strong fundamentals.

 

Is the class schedule flexible?

Yes! One of the benefits of our program is flexible scheduling.

Dancers may:

  • Mix and match class times within their level throughout the week

  • Attend a different class time if needed

  • Double up classes for makeups if a week is missed

This flexibility helps families balance school, sports, vacations, and busy schedules while maintaining consistent progress.

Do you offer sibling discounts?

Yes! We offer a 30% sibling discount off each dancer’s tuition plan.

 

Is Gaelic Origins recreational or competitive?

Both!

Gaelic Origins is a hybrid recreational and competitive Irish dance program.

Families may choose:

  • Recreational participation with recital and community performances

  • Local competition opportunities

  • Regional competition opportunities for interested dancers

Competitive participation is always optional and is not required for advancement.

Are performances required?

Our studio places a strong emphasis on sharing Irish dance with the community through:

  • Parades

  • Festivals

  • Community events

  • School demonstrations

  • Annual recital performances

Community performances are a major part of our studio culture and mission to grow awareness of Irish dance.

Do dancers have to compete?

No. Competition is completely optional.

Many dancers participate recreationally only, while others enjoy local orregional competitions.

​Do you offer adult classes?

Yes!

Adults are welcome in:

  • Our Wednesday adult-only class (7:00–7:45 PM)

  • Our Saturday all-ages class (11:45 AM–12:30 PM)

No previous experience is required.

 

Are boys welcome?

Absolutely! Irish dance is for everyone, and we have several boys currently dancing in our program.

 

Can parents watch class?

Yes. Parents are welcome to wait in our waiting room, where we provide a live-stream view of the studio classroom.

 

What makes Gaelic Origins different?

Gaelic Origins focuses on:

  • Building confidence

  • Sharing Irish culture

  • Creating a welcoming community

  • Encouraging both recreational and competitive growth

  • Making Irish dance accessible to new families

 

While some dancers pursue high-level competition goals, our studio’s primary mission is growing awareness and appreciation of Irish dance throughout the community.

About
"Ms. Fiona" Hershberger

TCRG

Fiona Hershberger, “Ms. Fiona”, is a certified Irish dancing teacher through the Irish Dancing Commission, CLRG. Although originally from Troon, Scotland, she fell in love with the rhythm of Irish dance after watching Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance as a child. She has been dancing for over 20 years, beginning her dance career with her sister in Germany, where their father was stationed with the Air Force, and has been teaching for 18 years. She studied with instructors & choreographers from all over the world, & competed in regional, national & even worldwide championships. Her primary focus is on spreading a love & awareness of the Gaelic culture through dance while prioritizing habits of excellence through discipline, consistency & effort. She is so excited to bring Irish dance to the Metro-east and local military community.

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