Sidney, Ohio, may sit more than 3,000 miles from Dublin, but its Irish dance community punches well above its weight. With three established academies training hundreds of students between them, the small Shelby County city has become an unlikely hub for the art form in the Midwest.
What Sets Sidney's Scene Apart
Irish dance here is shaped by the same forces you'll find anywhere—rigorous technique, live fiddle and accordion music, and the looming pressure of regional feisanna (competitions). But Sidney's tight-knit network means the academies collaborate almost as often as they compete. Instructors swap choreography tips. Students from rival schools carpool to out-of-state competitions. And each March, the three academies jointly stage the Sidney St. Patrick's Day Céilí at the Historic Sidney Theatre, drawing roughly 800 attendees for an evening of group dances, solo performances, and open-floor social dancing.
The Three Main Academies
Celtic Spirit Dance Academy
Address: 214 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney, OH 45375
Phone: (937) 555-0142
Website: celticspiritdance.com
Ages: 4–adult
Trial policy: First class free
Founded in 2007 by Fiona Brennan, a Dublin native and former Riverdance touring dancer, Celtic Spirit emphasizes both competitive training and recreational participation. The academy occupies a converted second-floor storefront in downtown Sidney, its studio walls lined with photographs of students who have gone on to tour with professional companies.
"We had kids who started at age four and are now dancing with 'Riverdance,'" Brennan says. "But just as rewarding are the teenagers who come for the fitness and stay for the friendships."
Celtic Spirit also runs a free after-school introductory program at Whittier Elementary and Longfellow Elementary, funded in part by a Shelby County Arts Council grant.
Emerald Isle Dance School
Address: 1800 W. Michigan St., Sidney, OH 45375
Phone: (937) 555-0298
Website: emeraldisledanceschool.com
Ages: 5–18
Trial policy: $20 drop-in class
If Celtic Spirit is the generalist, Emerald Isle is the competitor's choice. Under the direction of Taryn McLaughlin, a certified adjudicator with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha, the school has built a reputation for producing medalists at the Midwestern Regional Oireachtas and North American Nationals.
In 2023, Emerald Isle dancers placed first in the Under-12 Ceili Competition and took three solo medals at the 2024 Midwestern Regional Oireachtas in Indianapolis. The school's 4,000-square-foot facility includes two sprung-floor studios, a conditioning room, and a small pro shop selling hard shoes and wigs.
McLaughlin's approach is unapologetically demanding. Classes run six days a week during competition season, and students are expected to cross-train in strength and flexibility sessions.
Sidney Riverdance Studio
Address: 3400 County Road 25-A, Sidney, OH 45375
Phone: (937) 555-0361
Website: sidneyriverdancestudio.com
Ages: 3–adult
Trial policy: Four-week beginner session, $65
Don't let the name fool you—this studio has no formal affiliation with the Riverdance stage show. Founder Mike O'Donnell chose it in 1995, back when the show's global popularity was introducing Irish dance to small-town America.
What distinguishes Sidney Riverdance Studio is its deliberate blending of traditional and contemporary styles. O'Donnell, who trained in both Irish step dance and modern jazz, choreographs annual recitals that pair reels and jigs with pop and electronic arrangements. The studio draws a sizeable adult beginner population, including a 15-member "Moms & Dads" class that performs at the St. Patrick's Day céilí each year.
Costs and Commitment
Tuition varies by academy and competitive level. Recreational dancers at all three schools typically pay $65–$95 per month for one weekly class. Competitive dancers should expect $180–$320 monthly once private lessons, costume rentals, feis entry fees, and travel are factored in. All three academies offer sibling discounts and payment plans.
How to Get Started
The academies operate on different academic calendars, but most beginner intake happens in **August–
