Lapoint City, Utah, may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Irish dance. But over the past two decades, this small Uintah Basin community has quietly built one of the most concentrated Irish dance scenes in the Intermountain West.
The roots of this growth trace back to two forces: the lasting global ripple of Riverdance, which introduced millions to step dancing in the 1990s, and a small but active Irish-American community that established Lapoint City's annual St. Patrick's Week festivities in 2001. More recently, TikTok and Instagram have fueled renewed interest among teenagers and young adults, with viral clips of hard-shoe routines drawing new students into studios that once relied almost entirely on word-of-mouth. According to the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America, Utah saw a 34% increase in registered Irish dance students between 2018 and 2023—one of the highest growth rates in the Mountain West.
Today, Lapoint City is home to three established Irish dance schools, each with a distinct philosophy, teaching style, and student culture. Whether you're a four-year-old trying on your first ghillies or an adult returning to dance after a twenty-year break, here's what each studio offers—and how to choose the right fit.
The Emerald Isle Academy: Best for Traditional Technique and Competitive Excellence
The basics: Ages 4–adult | Trial class: $20 | Beginner sessions start each September and January
Housed in a converted 1920s schoolhouse on Main Street, The Emerald Isle Academy has anchored Lapoint City's Irish dance community since 2008. Founder Siobhan Doyle, TCRG-certified by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha in Dublin, trained at the O'Shea School in County Cork before relocating to Utah. Her syllabus remains fully accredited by the commission, meaning students can earn recognized grade exams and qualify for major competitions.
The academy's competitive record speaks for itself. Three of Doyle's students have placed at the Western Region Oireachtas—the qualifying tournament for the North American Nationals—and her advanced troupe performs annually at the Utah Arts Festival in Salt Lake City.
"We're old-school in the best way," Doyle says. "Posture first, rhythm second, flash third. If the fundamentals aren't there, the tricks don't matter."
Classes are structured by grade level rather than age, which can mean a soft-spoken ten-year-old drilling alongside a confident teenager. Parents describe the atmosphere as rigorous but warm. Doyle and her two assistant teachers—both former academy students who earned their own teaching certifications—emphasize ceili (team) dancing alongside solo work, a balance that competitive schools sometimes neglect.
What to know: New beginners must purchase soft shoes (ghillies) within the first month; hard shoes come after six months of instruction. Monthly tuition runs $85–$110 depending on class frequency. The academy does not currently offer virtual classes.
Celtic Spirit Dance Studio: Best for Creative Expression and Adult Beginners
The basics: Ages 5–adult | First class free | Rolling enrollment year-round
If The Emerald Isle Academy resembles a traditional Irish dance hall, Celtic Spirit Dance Studio feels more like a contemporary performing arts space. Opened in 2014 by husband-and-wife team Aidan and Maura Kelly, the studio occupies a bright, high-ceilinged warehouse near the Lapoint City fairgrounds. Aidan, a former professional musician who toured with several Irish folk ensembles, provides live accompaniment during select classes—a rarity in American Irish dance instruction.
Celtic Spirit's curriculum blends CLRG-accredited step dancing with theatrical choreography. Students regularly perform original pieces that incorporate Sean-nós (old-style Irish dance), spoken word, and even aerial silks. The studio's annual spring showcase, Croí (Irish for "heart"), sells out the 400-seat Lapoint City Community Theater each year.
"We get a lot of adults who tried Irish dance as kids, burned out, and want to come back on their own terms," Maura Kelly explains. "We also get actors, musicians, and contemporary dancers who want to add Irish technique to their toolbox without the competition pressure."
Each spring, Celtic Spirit hosts a week-long intensive with a guest instructor from Ireland. Past teachers have included Riverdance alumni and set dancers from the TG4 series An Jig Gig. The 2024 intensive featured Dublin-based choreographer Cian O'Flaherty, who spent ten days rehearsing a site-specific piece with advanced students at nearby Red Fleet State Park.
What to know: Celtic Spirit offers a dedicated adult beginner class on Tuesday evenings and a "parent-and-tot" movement session on Saturday mornings. Monthly tuition is $75–$95. The studio maintains a small lending library of practice shoes for students who want
