Claddagh Dance Company - Simi Valley Dance Lessons & Classes

The What and Why of Irish Dance - Told by Parents With Decades of Experience (and well earned too)

At the age of 7 my daughter Devon insisted she wanted to start Irish Dance. No ballet, no soccer, no hip hop or Polynesian dance, just Irish Dance.

Irish Dance classes focusing on Irish culture, dance, new friendships, and an amazing drive to simply be the best possible version of yourself possible; on and off the dance floor. It is an environment where every student is judged based on who they are, not what they are. Hard work and perseverance are required to train your body to do what you tell it. Effort equals results.

Toddler Dance Classes Its tumbling and jumping and running and all fun, but it does have a purpose... Dancers develop greater body control, coordination, & fitness. Dancers show increased listening skills, greater attention span and ease in following directions. Practicing dance increases the desire to do well and to the best of one’s abilities. Friendships are formed not only with classmates, but through performing and competing. Dancers meet friends from all parts of the city, state, and country.

Its tumbling and jumping and running and all fun, but it does have a purpose... Dancers develop greater body control, coordination, & fitness. Dancers show increased listening skills, greater attention span and ease in following directions. Practicing dance increases the desire to do well and to the best of one’s abilities. Friendships are formed not only with classmates, but through performing and competing. Dancers meet friends from all parts of the city, state, and country. Fun, hand eye coordination, Socialization.

We offer a variety of classes, from toddlers to adults! We are back indoor! Click here for our class schedule! Maire O’Connell began instructing Nicola in disciplined footwork of amazing speed and accuracy. She taught her poise and professionalism. She taught her stage presence, she taught her how to win, how to lose with pride. Nicola learned about another culture, she learned teamwork, she learned sharing with others, comradery. Nicola learned life lessons that many people would take 30 years or more to learn. Nicola learned how to dance, challenging herself to improve, to beat her own score, to train and endure pain, to be patient. Claddagh became the name of the top sports team in our vocabulary. Claddagh competed on a local basis with Irish dancing schools all over California, and then with teams from the Western United States. Nicola grew in her skills and abilities, continually getting better. She was also getting better in school and life. She gained friends, friends outside of her school friends, neighborhood friends, and church friends. The were children from the larger Ventura County area, and even some outside of the County who attended the school. She began to gain friends from the other schools as she met them, and would compete against them at the many competitions she would be a part of. Nicola’s sister, Erin, began to dance with Claddagh. Erin and Maire were both intense people, Erin grew in ways that Nicola hadn’t experienced. Erin had to overcome her own will, and submit to the instructions and discipline required of this unique art form. The footwork and the combinations of which are countless, and forever changing and challenging. Levels upon levels of varying footwork combinations that were visually impossible to see because of the lightning speed with which the moves were executed. Combinations which the students ran through their brain as they performed, a mind-boggling act of excellence in mind-body coordination. I couldn’t remember the three-number combination of the lock on my school locker. The young people were able to memorize and execute combinations that are minutes long. Both girls grew to love Maire and appreciate what Claddagh had given them. Our family learned discipline. Mom and dad learned to be on time to get our kids to the classes on time, because the need for our children’s training and teamwork pushed us too. We curled hair, yes, mom and dad. We worked on the costumes, and We helped hold our local competitions with the setup and hosting of Claddagh School’s own competition. One of these I had the privilege to head, had over 1,100 competitors, from all over the world, and their families and friends. We gained the friendship of the other parents, forming many lifelong friendships. The costumes were beautiful pieces of art which brought forth ancient Celtic designs that are national treasures of Ireland. They were colorful and unique, becoming the identity of the performer at competitions. We purchased two beautiful dresses direct from Ireland, which made the girls feel like Irish princesses. Eventually our dancers would be needed to compete at the Western regional competition. Each year these would take us to major cities of the Western U.S. and Canada, like San Diego, Phoenix, Vancouver, San Francisco, Tucson, and Los Angeles. These larger events stepped up the intensity and challenge for the students, as they had competition now that had also stepped up to a higher level of intensity. We met a larger ring of people to make friends with, from this extended/larger competition from other states and provinces. Then came the National competition, where the East meets the west in even larger venues, with more people, and more intense competition. I began to look forward to the larger competitions, as we extended them as vacations that we never would have taken if it hadn’t been for joining the Claddagh family. We were lucky enough to visit Boston, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver. The historical sites around the country and the food, and the fun that we experienced were icing on the cake of the Irish dancing time with Claddagh. Nicola went on to perform at the World Championships, twice, adding to her life experience of world travel at the young age of 14 years. Two years later, she was able to extend to England and Scotland, at the age of 16. Our daughters rose to become Class President, and ASB President at their high school. Their math abilities excelled because of the mental work oof the music and dance. Their social skills make them well-rounded people that would make any parent proud. It is immeasurable, the value of what Claddagh School of Irish Dancing brought to our family. Maire O’Connell made a name for herself, her school, and put Ventura on the world stage. If we had it all to do over again, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We offer a variety of classes, from toddlers to adults! We are back indoor! Click here for our class schedule!

We offer a variety of classes, from toddlers to adults! We are back indoor! Click here for our class schedule!

Attend a beginner class and join the fun! Classes are available for beginners.

Beginner/Nov/PW classes offered at Southbay Dance Classes in El Segundo, CA. These classes are suitable for new students and those progressing through levels.

Championship level dance classes at Southbay Dance Classes. This class is for advanced dancers aiming for competitive performance.

Attend a beginner class and join the fun! Irish dancing is a benefit that increases physical skills, mental skills, fosters a healthy competitive spirit, and builds lasting friendships.

Attend a beginner class and join the fun! New Beginner Classes.

This class is for beginner and novice dancers, suitable for those learning new steps and techniques. It is offered on Mondays and Thursdays.

This advanced class focuses on competitive Irish dance routines for championship level dancers, requiring significant dedication and skill development. It is offered on Mondays and Thursdays.

A class designed for adults who wish to learn or continue their practice in Irish dance, fostering a community for all ages. Offered on Mondays.

This beginner and novice class focuses on soft shoe techniques in Irish dance, emphasizing grace and movement. Offered on Saturdays.

This advanced class focuses on competitive Irish dance routines for championship level dancers, requiring significant dedication and skill development. Offered on Saturdays.

This class focuses on group choreography and performance for dance teams, emphasizing synchronization and collaboration. Offered on Saturdays.

This beginner and novice class specifically focuses on hard shoe techniques in Irish dance, emphasizing rhythm and footwork. Offered on Saturdays.

This class is tailored for students participating in charter or home school programs, providing dance education during weekday hours. Offered on Thursdays.

This class is for beginner and novice dancers, suitable for those learning new steps and techniques. It is offered on Thursdays and Saturdays with specific shoe requirements.

This class focuses on group choreography and performance for dance teams, emphasizing synchronization and collaboration. Offered on Thursdays and Saturdays.

This advanced class focuses on competitive Irish dance routines for championship level dancers, requiring significant dedication and skill development. Offered on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Start your toddler in dance classes for fun, hand-eye coordination, and socialization. Dancers develop greater body control, coordination, & fitness. Dancers show increased listening skills, greater attention span and ease in following directions.

Why should you start your toddler in dance classes? Fun, hand eye coordination, socialization.

An introductory dance class for toddlers, designed to introduce them to movement and music in a fun and engaging environment. Offered on Thursdays.