ABOUT US
The Kavanagh Studio of Irish Dance is a specialist dance school based in Perth, Western Australia. Our mission is to share our love of Irish dance. Through the creation of a safe and supportive environment, our dancers are provided with the tools they need to fulfil their Irish Dancing dreams. We aim to create confident, happy and healthy dancers by considering their individual ambition and ability. Our dancers are encouraged to strive for excellence, work hard and dream big.
OUR DANCERS
Check out our gorgeous dancers on Instagram and Facebook
CLASSES
Our classes start with a thorough warm up incorporating dynamic stretching and strengthening exercises particularly relevant to the muscles used in Irish dancing. Our main focus is always on the basics of Irish dancing, rhythm, timing, posture, turn out and crossover. As dancers progress attention is focused towards strength, flexibility and the degree of difficulty in the intricate steps of Irish dancing.
SOFT SHOE
Our beginner soft shoe classes, which cater for boys & girls from 5 years, introduce dancers to the four basic beginner Soft shoe dances: Reel, Light Jig, Single Jig and Slip Jig.
Dancers move through the competition levels Primary, Elementary, Intermediate to Open, learning more advanced Reels and Slips Jigs that send them flying through the air
HARD SHOE
Dancers are invited to join our Hard shoe classes once they have mastered the basics of Soft shoe. All dancers begin their Hard shoe journey with a basic Jig followed by a Hornpipe. Dancers progress through the various levels of Hard shoe dancing challenged by more complicated Jig and Hornpipe steps as well as learning both modern and traditional Set dances.
CEILI & TEAMS
Ceili dancing (Pronounced "Kay-lee") is group or team dancing. Dancers begin in groups of 4 with Traditional Ceili dances like the Walls of Limerick. Dancers progress onto more complicated Ceili's including up to 8 dancers, then modern choreographies involving 2 to 16 dancers.
At Kavanagh we encourage all of our dancers to partake in teams to help keep up our positive school spirit & teach our dancers how to consider, support and work with other dancers.
KINDY IRISH DANCE
Kindy dance is a fun and informal introduction to the world of Irish dancing aimed at little ones aged 3 and 4 years. Our youngest Irish dancers learn the basic principals involved in Irish dancing like rhythm, timing, turn out, posture as well as getting in touch with their toes through dance and play.
PILATES
The Kavanagh Studio offers mat Pilates classes, run by qualified Pilates instructor and Physiotherapist, Avril, to Open dancers to stretch, strengthen and build a strong core. Pilates addresses key demands of dance and common imbalances to improve performance and prevent injury.
FEIS
Feis (Pronounced "Fesh") is Gaelic for Irish Dance competition. Competing gives dancers regular opportunity to perform and work towards a goal. Competitions are available throughout the year at varying levels to suit all dancers from Beginners to Advanced Open Championships. Our dancers compete successfully at local, Interstate and International Feiseanna.
TEACHERS
TERESA FENTON TCRG
Principal Teacher
Born to Irish father, Peter McGorry, and New Zealand National Irish dancing Champion Deirdre Kavanagh, Teresa has always been around Irish music and dance. As a competitive dancer Teresa won 5 State titles and performed in many shows and events. Although Teresa had dreams of being a fashion designer, finishing her Art and Design diploma in 1994, she was always destined to teach Irish dancing, like her mother Deirdre and Aunt Maura before her.
Registered with the Irish dancing commission since 1991, Teresa traveled back to Ireland in 1998 to complete her teaching exams and qualified as a TCRG. As well as a successful Irish dance teacher, Teresa's costume designs have graced many stages around Australia and the world. She has also been contracted interstate as a choreographer and trainer. Teresa is very proud of her daughter, Niamh Mathers, who is carrying on the family tradition and currently holds the 16yrs WA State Championship title.
AVRIL GREALISH TCRG
Teacher & Pilates Instructor
Avril has been a member of the Kavanagh family since the age of 5. She quickly progressed, fell in love with Irish dancing and never looked back. As a solo dancer, Avril was three times WA State Champion and achieved numerous top 10 placings at the Australian National Championships, including 2nd in 2002. She has also competed in four World Championships. Before hanging up her competitive shoes, she trained under Gerard Carson and Jackie Kennedy at the Carson Kennedy Academy in Belfast. Avril has always loved Ceili and Team dancing, ending a very successful career as National Champion in 2017 (Open Age Four Hand Own Choreography) alongside team members Shannon, Brigid and Maeghan. Outside of the Irish dancing world, Avril is a qualified and practising physiotherapist and pilates instructor. Her knowledge is a massive asset to our teaching team, as well as her passion for helping people achieve their goals. Avril has been a loyal, passionate and highly respected member of the Kavanagh Studio for over 20 years, joining our teaching team after passing her TCRG exams in 2017.
