The Carey Academy
Israel

The soft shoes, often called ghillies or pumps, are black lace-up shoes, constructed of soft kid leather, similar in texture to ballet shoes. Their laces crisscross the top of the feet and are tied around the ankle or under the arch.

Pumps are only worn by girls, while boys wear black leather shoes called "reel shoes", which resemble black jazz shoes with a hard heel. Boy's soft-shoe dancing features audible heel clicks.

Soft shoes are used both for solo and social dances.

An organized dance competition is referred to as a feis (pronounced "fesh", plural feiseanna). The word feis means "festival" in Irish, and strictly speaking would also have competitions in music and crafts.

Dance competitions are divided by age and level of expertise. The names of the levels and other organising rules vary between countries and regions. Dancers are scored based on technique (placement of the feet, turn out, off of their heels, etc.), style (grace, power, etc.) and other items such as timing, rhythm, and sounds in their hard shoe dances.

An annual regional championship competition is known as an oireachtas (/oʊˈrɒktəs/). An Coimisiún holds various "national" championship competitions. World Championships are the largest, with over 6,000 dancers competing from over 30 countries worldwide.

The Aisling (pronounced 'Ashling', Gaelic for dream) is awarded to the highest placing dancer in each category from overseas (Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia) to encourage them to continue their dream of dancing.

Students of Carey Academy Israel start competing after a year of training. The Academy regularly takes part in international competitions and takes highest places.

Hard shoes, often called "heavy shoes" or "jig shoes", are used to create rhythmical percussion and are made of black leather with fibreglass heels and taps on their tips, with a leather strap across the top of the foot. Hard shoes are similar to tap shoes, except that the tips and heels are made of fiberglass, instead of metal, and are significantly bulkier.

The first hard shoes had wooden or leather taps with metal nails. Later the taps and heels were made of resin or fiberglass to reduce the weight and to make the sounds louder.

John Carey was born in Sutton Coldfield to Irish parents. At the age of seven he started to learn Irish dancing at the Doherty Academy. Little did he know that this "hobby" would soon map out his life in front of him.

At the age of nine, after less than two years of dancing, he became Great Britain Champion. The following year he won every major title, being the youngest person ever to achieve this feat. He went on to win eight World Championships, six All Ireland, 11 Great Britain and five North American titles.

At the age of 17 John was requested to audition to join the original cast of Riverdance when it was playing for the first time in London. John and Catriona Hale were the first 'English' Irish dancers to join the prestigious show.

John, a bright academic, decided to return to school after the London run to finish his A levels. It was during this year that he applied to Oxford University to study Chemistry, passed the exam and interview and was given an unconditional offer. However his life was to take another turn! Whilst studying for his final A level exams he was contacted by Michael Flatley's agent to be a part of his new show Lord of the Dance.

John put his place at Oxford on hold for one year to join Lord of the Dance. He was immediately appointed as Michael's understudy and was instrumental with assisting with the choreography of the show.

The show opened in 1996 to rave reviews, 3 weeks into the tour Michael tore a calf muscle during the opening number of a performance in Manchester, England. John stepped in and received standing ovations from the audience of 3000 and was declared "Wonderstudy" by the News of the World.

A second touring company of the show was formed and John was appointed lead dancer and dance captain and trained the new troupe of dancers at the now famous Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden. He toured mainly in North America performing at The Oscars, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. John received rave reviews proclaiming him as "The NEW Lord of the Dance".

After nearly 4 years of touring the world John decided to return to Birmingham and discovered his passion for teaching whilst assisting at his former school, The Doherty Academy. In 2003 he took and passed his T.C.R.G. (teaching) exam and became a permanent fixture on the teaching staff at The Doherty Academy.

After a 2 year stint with "Magic of the Dance" choreographing and performing the lead role touring Europe, John decided to concentrate on teaching dancing and opened "The Carey Academy".

In 2008 John passed his A.D.C.R.G. (adjudication exam) and has been invited to adjudicate all over the World. Including Australia, New Zealand, Italy, USA, and of course Ireland.

In 2010 John and two of his students were featured in the documentary "JIG" where they followed their lives in the run up to the World Championships in Glasgow.

In 2013 John joined as a choreographer to a brand new modern Irish show “Hearbeat of Home”.