Michael Flatley DANCE Academy

Posted on October 25, 2016

Michael Flatley, the American-born Irish dancer known internationally for his appearances in Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, has launched the Michael Flatley DANCE Academy in and around the London area. The Academy aims to teach his unique style of Irish dance to children and teenagers in an environment that builds self-confidence whilst also instilling an appreciation of rhythm, movement, music, fitness and culture.

Open to girls and boys of all levels, from beginner to advanced, classes are taught by James Breen and Sarah Redmond, who appeared in Lord of the Dance, as well as Simona Mauriello and Ellie O’Sullivan. All four have gained years of on-stage training with Flatley in his productions and were personally selected to perform on the tour in spring 2016 that marked his retirement from the stage. Guest teachers include James Keegan and Tom Cunningham. For more information, and to register for classes, visit michaelflatleydance.com.

Photographs by BRIAN DOHERTY.

Jonathan Gray

Jonathan Gray is editor of Dancing Times. He studied at The Royal Ballet School, Leicester Polytechnic, and Wimbledon School of Art where he graduated with a BA Hons in Theatre Design. For 16 years he was a member of the curatorial department of the Theatre Museum, London, assisting on a number of dance-related exhibitions, and helping with the recreation of original designs for a number of The Royal Ballet’s productions including Danses concertantes, Daphnis and Chloë, and The Sleeping Beauty. He has also contributed to the Financial Times, written programme articles for The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, and is co-author of the book Unleashing Britain: Theatre gets real 1955-64, published in 2005.