Emily Stokes acknowledged she knew very little about Ireland up until just a few months ago.
Now, she and other Grade 4 students at Marystown's Sacred Heart Academy have learned how to perform a traditional Irish dance, can speak some words and phrases and have a better appreciation of the country's culture.
Indeed, Ireland has been on the hips, lips and minds of students at the school since the beginning of the year.
It's all part of an ArtSmarts initiative.
Principal Cindy Pope explained the school received a grant from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council to implement the program, which allowed them to bring in professional Irish dancer Shawn Silver from St. John's to work with students.
Mr. Silver has dropped by the school for several weeklong visits since January. In early June, the students will show off what they've learned during this year's appropriately Irish-themed annual spring concert.
Ms. Pope explained the goal of the ArtsSmarts program is to expose students to a branch of the arts while integrating other aspects of the school curriculum. In this case, dance is being used to teach physical education, music and social studies.
"The idea of traditional Irish dancing is not something students would necessarily get a lot of exposure to, so being able to provide kids in rural Newfoundland with that opportunity is a big plus of the program, and to do that through a skilled and renowned artist in that area such as Shawn Silver is a plus as well."
Mr. Silver, who has family ties to the Burin Peninsula, has compiled numerous Irish dance accolades and credentials since he left his job as a stockbroker in Toronto back in the late 1990s, to pursue his dream full time.
Artistic director of 'iDance Inc.' in St. John's, which he started in 1998, he indicated he has been working with Memorial University Irish language professor Brid Falconer for the past few years to develop a 'Celtic Roots' program.
That project, which incorporates Irish language, dance and music, will be offered for the initial time this summer in St. John's and Trinity.
Technically, however, he acknowledged the students at Sacred Heart Academy are the first participants.
Ms. Falconer has also visited Sacred Heart Academy to work with the students.
As the ArtsSmarts program required, Mr. Silver noted the students have learned much more than just dance steps.
"For young people, to have accomplished so much in a short period of time, it really is an incredible feat - pardon the pun - but they have learned a lot about cultural studies, history and, of course, phys ed is probably at the top of the list."
Emily acknowledged the dance routine may only last six minutes, but the effort put into practicing again and again certainly is good exercise.
"We've taken a lot of time learning it, and it's really physical activity."
Mr. Silver's presence has raised the profile of Irish dancing throughout the entire school. Although he has worked primarily with the Grade 4 students, he has visited or worked with most other classes at Sacred Heart.
Joshua Pittman indicated his younger brother watches him work on the steps at home and has repeatedly expressed an interest.
Likewise, Megan Wiseman recognized her younger sister has asked about Irish dancing.
Joshua noted the subject has also been of particular interest to him because of an Irish family connection.
"My great-grandfather was from Ireland and there's pictures of him Irish dancing when he was little."
For Mr. Silver, watching the students, who all have different levels and abilities, learn from one another as they dance is what he enjoys most.
"I find watching that team spirit build itself, the kids building skills and the confidence that comes from that is pretty incredible."
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