Celtic Heels School of Irish Dance
From their Facebook [1]:
Established in 1984, as the "Joanie Mac" School of Irish Dance, Celtic Heels has been sharing the art form of Irish Dance with students in the Hudson Valley, ranging in age from 2-adult, for over 30 years! Joan frequently visits the birthplaces of her parents (County Cork and County Donegal) where she has immersed herself in the customs, culture, music and dance of Ireland since the age of 9.
In addition to learning step dances, our recreational students learn Ceili dances from all counties of Ireland, and are simultaneously taught the history of each dance's origin. Many of our students have taken the initiative to further their studies of Irish culture, sharing their historical knowledge via school presentations or book reports. It is very rewarding as dance teachers to spark a true passion for all things Irish within our dancers.
When Joan is choreographing for the Celtic Heels Performance Troupe, she honors her ancestry by preserving the true flavor of the Immigrants of Ireland, carefully weaving the old ancestral style of dance with today's more modern flair. Performance Troupe choreography includes intricate footwork in both hard shoe and soft shoe, combined with musicality of jigs, reels and hornpipes. Their performances are toe-tapping, hand-clapping, and enjoyable for dancers and audiences alike!
Promoting teamwork and unity among our dancers not only builds self-esteem and confidence, but also forges lifetime friendships. Upon graduation, our students embrace these skills when starting a new chapter in their lives.
Association: Performance-based
Email: celticheelsny@gmail.com
