Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing - Dance studio in Stamford, Connecticut
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Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing

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Address

9 Hyde Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06907

Opening Hours
  • Monday: 3:30 - 8:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 2:00 - 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 3:00 - 8:30 PM
  • Thursday: 4:00 - 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 4:00 - 6:30 PM
  • Saturday: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
  • Sunday: Closed
24 programs

About Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing

The Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing, located in Stamford, Connecticut, is a premier institution dedicated to the rich tradition and energetic art of Irish dance. We offer comprehensive training for all levels, from absolute beginners taking their first steps to advanced dancers striving for championship success. Our curriculum guides dancers through progressive levels including Beginner/Beginner 2, Advanced Beginner, Novice, Prizewinner, Pre-Prelim, Prelim, and Open Championship, ensuring a clear path for technical development and competitive advancement. Immerse yourself in the intricate footwork and lively rhythms of Irish Step dance through our diverse programs. We host popular Intro to Irish Dance Summer Camps, held in June and August, perfect for new students seeking an immersive learning experience. Our regular class schedule begins in September, catering to a wide age range. Beyond regular instruction, Pender-Keady fosters a vibrant community for its students. We celebrate milestones like our 25th Anniversary Dinner Dance and host prestigious events such as the Fairfield County Championships, preparing our dancers for performances and competitions. Registration for our programs is ongoing, with opportunities to develop your passion for Irish dancing in a supportive and engaging environment. We are committed to fostering talent and providing excellence in Irish dance education.

Programs from Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing

24 programs available

Classes

Open Championship Level

This class level is strictly for competitive dancers who have achieved the Open Championship level in feisanna.

Prelim class level

This level is for competitive dancers who have achieved the prelim level when competing in feisanna. These classes are broken down loosely by age but are age flexible based on children’s schedule’s.

Pre-Prelim Class Level

This class level is for children who have completed the Prizewinner 2 class level and have not yet moved into the preliminary level when competing in feisanna. The preprelim level is both a prep class for children who are aspiring to move into the preliminary level in competition, in addition to being the class level for children who have completed PW 2 and who don’t compete. For non-competitive dancers, they will remain in the Pre-Prelim class level going forward in future years as the Prelim level is strictly for competitive dancers.

Prizewinner 2 Class Level

This class level is for children who have completed the Prizewinner 1 class level. At this point children are learning very advanced steps and should be attending Summer Camp. If a child does not attend summer camp prior to the PW 2 class level then there is a good chance they may need to repeat the PW 1 class level. If you are unsure about whether or not your child is ready to move on to the PW 2 level, please email Kathleen@penderkeady.com for advisement. Going into this level, dancers are required to know, in addition to the requirements for PW1, the 3 prelim reel steps, and 3 slow treble jig steps.

Prizewinner 1 Class Level

This class level is for children who have successfully completed our Novice class level. Dancers who do not attend summer camp will most likely struggle in the PW 1 level if they do not get some “extra help” over the summer (see # 3). It is not abnormal for some kids to find the need to repeat the Novice level again before advancing to PW 1. Dancers moving into PW 1 are required to be fluent in: 4 light jigs, 4 reel steps, 2 slip jig steps, 2 treble jig steps danced to the fast music, 2 hornpipe steps danced to the fast music, and the traditional set St. Patricks Day. Children will have learned a lot in their Novice year so it is important that they are up to speed when entering PW1 level in September!

Novice Class Level

This class level is for children who have completed 1 year in our Advanced Beginner Level. At this point it is important to try to attend Summer Camp and if you are unable to attend camp it is advised that a few brush up lessons be taken before September with one of our senior students to make sure they are ready for class (see #3 for more information). At a minimum, dancers entering the Novice class level should be fluent in 4 Light Jig steps, 2 Reel steps, 2 Slip Jig steps, and at least the 1st hard shoe Jig step and preferable the 2nd step as well. This is in addition to their skips, seven’s and over-the-logs.

Advanced Beginner Class Level

This level is for children who have completed one year in our beginner class level. In order to enter the AB level children should be fluent in the first 3 Light Jig steps, their Irish Skips, their 7’s, Over-the-Logs, and at least the 1st step in the Reel. Some children will know more than this going into the AB level so this is a minimum guideline. IF your child is unable to attend our Summer Camp, it is extremely helpful to get some one-on-one help from one of our senior dancers over the summer before returning in September to ensure they are up to speed and remember what they learned in the prior year! For more information about setting up a one-on-one session please email Kathleen@penderkeady.com

Beginner 2 Class Level

This level is for children with some experience who are not ready for Advanced Beginner level yet. This would include older children (age 7+) who took Intro to Irish Dancing Camp and also any children who took a beginner class that started in January rather than September and did not attend our regular summer camp program.

Beginner Class Level

This level is for children with little or no experience with Irish dancing. Even if they have taken other forms of dance, children still need to start out in the Beginner level. If your child is age 7 or older and took our Intro to Irish Dancing Camp, they can sign up for Beginner 2 level. If your child took Intro to Irish Dancing Camp and is 6 or younger, they should go into a regular Beginner class.

Prizewinner Camp

For dancers who have completed the Novice class level, this camp prepares students for competitive Irish dance. It focuses on advanced techniques and performance readiness.

June 16th - 20th from 4pm - 7pm And August 11th - 15th from 12pm - 3pm
Open Championship

Friday 4:00pm - 6:15pm
ADVANCED BEGINNER

Monday 4:15pm - 5:15pm
BEGINNER/BEGINNER 2

Monday 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Novice / Prizewinner

Monday 5:00pm - 6:15pm
Pre-Prelim

Monday 5pm - 6:15pm
Prelim (+ competitive pre-prelim in PW feis level)

Thursday 5:15pm - 6:45pm
Beginner / Advanced Beginner

Wednesday 3:45pm - 4:30pm
Novice / PW

Wednesday 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Drill Class

This class level is only being offered from September through til the Oireachtas, on Wednesday nights from 6:45 – 7:45pm. Enrollment for this class will be a separate entity from the online enrollment system used for all other classes. This class is strictly open to dancers who will be competing in solo competitions at the Oireachtas. For more information about this class please email Kathleen@penderkeady.com

Wednesday 6:45pm - 7:45pm

Camps

Open Championship Camp

For dancers competing in Open Championship at Feis, this advanced camp provides specialized coaching and strategic development for top-tier competitive Irish dance.

July 14th – 18 th from 5pm – 8pm August 18 th – 22 nd from 5pm – 8pm
Pre-Prelim / Prelim Camp

For dancers competing in the prelim level at feis or close to it, this camp offers intensive training and strategic preparation for upcoming competitions.

July 14th - 18 th from 2pm – 5pm And August 18 th – 22 nd from 2pm – 5pm
Novice Camp

For dancers who have completed a year of Advanced Beginner class level, this camp focuses on refining technique and introducing more complex steps. It is suitable for students with a solid foundation.

June 16th - 20th from 4pm - 7pm And August 11th - 15th from 12pm - 3pm
Advanced Beginner Camp

For dancers who have completed a year of beginner class level, this camp builds upon foundational Irish dance skills. It is designed for those ready to progress beyond the introductory stages.

June 16th - 20th from 4pm - 7pm And August 11th - 15th from 12pm - 3pm
Intro to Irish Dance Camp

For brand new beginners, this camp offers an introduction to the fundamentals of Irish dance, suitable for those with no prior experience. It is scheduled across two different weeks in June and August.

June 9-13 from 4pm - 5:30pm AND August 11th - 15th from 10:30am - 12:00pm

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing?

Call Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing at (203) 316-8337 or visit http://www.pender-keady.com/.

Is Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing open on weekends?

Yes, Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing is open on weekends — Saturday: 8:30 - 9:30 AM.

What city is Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing in?

Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing is in Stamford, Connecticut.

What days is Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing open?

Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing is open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

Does Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing have Saturday classes?

Yes, Pender-Keady Academy of Irish Dancing is open Saturdays: 8:30 - 9:30 AM.