Gainesville Dance Academy is our city’s Irish dancing school. Preschoolers to professionals compete and perform exciting Irish dance – think Riverdance.
“Boys and girls train all year in our beautiful southwest studio,” says owner and certified teacher Sarah Ingley. “Even beginners are onstage every month, from Florida’s grandest performing arts centers, to free festivals, to competitions.”
This year, students danced in national tours of both Celtic Throne (Sarasota) and The Celtic Angels (Jacksonville; Ocala). March shows included TV20 News, a UF conference, and a St. Augustine parade.
In June’s North American Championships, an Academy teen defended her #1 title as her division’s winner! The Academy hosts master teachers from Disney, Riverdance, and Lord of the Dance.
“Above all, I want Academy dancers to be joyful and strong,” says Ingley. “I am making dancers, but the dancers are making memories. They’re making friends. They’re building emotional resilience and mental discipline, while getting super fit. We provide something very special.”