The Kilkenny Academy of Dance, formally The Forristal School of Dance has been successfully running since 1989. The school is known in Kilkenny for it's high standards and professional training. In 2016, Gemma Grant and Finn Power took over ownership of the school from Sinead Keaskin.
The school offers training for children and students from 3 years up to professional level, in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre/Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap Dance. Examinations under the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing are offered in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap dance, allowing students to pursue dance as career if they so wish. Many students of the School have gone on to train and dance professionally, both nationally and internationally, and to earn recognised teaching qualifications in Ballet, Modern Theatre and Tap dance.
We offer a fully staged dance production, featuring all of our students, every alternate year, in The Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny – the proceeds of which have been given, in the past to the O’ Neill Centre, ISPCC, Mother of Fair Love school, Kilkenny and to the School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny.
The school has always prided itself with the highest standards and these are reflected through our exam results and stage performances.
Our teachers are all fully qualified and registered teachers of the I.S.T.D. and have all undergone full time training as well as having worked as professional dancers and choreographers. They continuously attend courses to ensure their work is up to date, fresh and most importantly fun for our students.
