Celtic Academy Irish Dance is a renowned dance school located in East Victoria Park, Western Australia. Specialising in Irish Dancing, the school offers classes for students of all ages and skill levels.
Irish Dancing is a captivating dance form characterised by intricate footwork, fast-paced movements, and precise timing. With a rich history and strong sense of tradition, Irish Dancing has gained global recognition since the iconic performance of Riverdance at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. Today, thousands of individuals participate in Irish Dance classes, including both solo dancing and teams performing traditional ceili dances and contemporary choreography.
Celtic Academy is proud to be registered with AIDA Inc. Australian Irish Dancing Association and An Coimisin le Rinc Gaelacha - The World Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin, Ireland. The studio is situated in East Victoria Park, a suburb south of the Swan River and conveniently close to Perth's CBD. Classes are currently held on multiple days throughout the week.
The emblem of Celtic Academy is the Crann Bethadh, also known as the Tree of Life. The Celts believed that this tree possessed special powers and associated it with qualities such as wisdom, strength, and longevity. In line with this symbolism, Celtic Academy aims to nurture its students by helping them set and achieve goals, build self-confidence, and foster lifelong friendships. The school provides a welcoming and supportive environment where students can experience the joy of dancing, make lasting connexions, and most importantly, have fun.
Siobhan Collis is the founder and principal Irish Dance teacher at Celtic Academy. With over 20 years of dancing experience, Siobhan has competed locally, nationally, and internationally. She began her Irish dance journey at the Joyce Studio in Perth at the age of six, and later continued her training at Trinity Studio for 12 years after the former's closure. Siobhan is also an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with expertise in exercise rehabilitation and strength and conditioning.
Establishing her own Irish Dance school has always been a dream for Siobhan, and she feels blessed to be able to share her love for dancing with a new generation of Irish dancers.
Celtic Academy offers a diverse range of classes to accommodate dancers at different ages and stages of their journey. The classes are designed to be inclusive and also cater to adults. For parents and their little ones aged 2–3 years, the school offers “Mammy & Me Irish dancing” classes. These 20-minute sessions provide a fun introduction to Irish dance and focus on stimulating coordination skills, listening skills, balance, music interpretation, and motor development.
For young beginners aged 3–5 years, there is the “Pre-Jiggers” class. This class introduces children to music, rhythm, and simple Irish Dance steps. The emphasis is on learning through fun and enjoyment.
As students progress, they can join the “Little Jiggers” class, aimed at graduates of the Pre-Jiggers class. Here, dancers delve into learning a reel, building on the foundation established in their earlier training.
Celtic Academy Irish Dance strives to provide a welcoming, supportive, and engaging environment for all dancers, regardless of age or experience level. The school's dedication to excellence, passion for the Irish dance form, and commitment to fostering personal growth are what set Celtic Academy apart. Join them to experience the joy, excitement, and sense of community that Irish Dancing brings.