The Dwyer-Whelan Academy of Irish Dance
Lessons: Saturdays 9.00 am – 2.00 pm
Where: The Irish Cultural Centre
Renowned Irish step dancers and teachers Maureen Whelan and her daughter Bernadette have taught many dance champions, and run arguably the leading step dancing school in Sydney. Maureen has been involved with Irish dancing competitions since she was a child in the 1950s, and has a long association with teaching and the INA. They also teach at South Sydney, Kensington, North Sydney and Forest Lodge.
Contact: 9587 6512
INA set dancing classes
Lessons: Mondays 8.00 – 9.30
Where: The Irish Cultural Centre
An informal class with Liz Carter, just bring yourself and preferably shoes with a leather sole. Liz discovered Irish dancing on a trip to Ireland and was taught initially by Siobhan Bogue, plus other teachers in Sydney. She has been teaching set dancing at the INA for ten years.
Contact: mad_to_dance@hotmail.com or on 0404 062 742
Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers
Lessons: Thursdays (during school terms), 6.30 – 7.45 pm (step dancing); 8.00 – 10.30pm (set dancing)
Where: The Uniting Church Hall, cnr Kingsgrove Rd/Moreton Ave Kingsgrove
The Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers were formed in 1958 by Peter McKenna from Ardee, Ireland. After Peter’s death in 1992 Margaret and Bill Winnett became teachers/leaders of this group. Margaret has been a traditional step dancer since 1957 and began performing with Peter’s group in her early teens. Bill and Margaret met at the weekly dances at the INA in 1965. Margaret teaches traditional Irish step dancing, and Margaret and Bill teach set dancing.
Contact: wnntt@optusnet.com.au or call 0419 334 335
www.sydneyirishceilidancers.com.au
Trish McGrath & Alarna Stephenson
Lessons: Tuesday evenings
Where: Sutherland
Trish became involved with Irish dancing through the INA dances in the 1960s and the Sydney Ceili Dancers. She has developed an interest in a ‘battering’ style of Clare set dancing, and has been teaching since the 1990s. Alarna Stephenson is Trish’s niece and also has a keen interest in dancing and teaching this style.
Contact: larnigirl@yahoo.com.au