Our teachers and teaching assistants

Cady Bryan began her Irish dancing journey in January 2024 and quickly established herself as a remarkable emerging talent. After entering her first Feis competition in September 2024, she progressed through the competitive ranks at an extraordinary pace within her first year of competing. At the Heart of England Championships 2025, Cady delivered an exceptional series of performances, earning multiple championship titles across Primary and Intermediate levels and receiving the Adjudicators’ Choice Award in recognition of her outstanding performance quality and stage presence. In May 2025, she achieved a major national success at the British Nationals with a standout performance in the Preliminary Treble Reel. Just ten months after beginning her competitive career, Cady went on to claim the prestigious title of Preliminary World Champion, achieving a flawless judges’ score, and also delivered a winning Treble Reel performance at the World Championships. She continued her success later in the year at the Yorkshire Rose Championships 2025, securing the Open Treble Reel title and a podium finish in the Open Championship. Now competing in the Open category, Cady consistently demonstrates strength, confidence, and performance maturity beyond her years, firmly establishing herself as one of the top emerging dancers with clear dedication to her ongoing development in Irish dance.

Ava embarked on her Irish dancing adventure in January 2024. From her very first class, her enthusiasm and passion was evident. By September 2024, Ava’s commitment and enjoyment led her to enter her first feis. The excitement of the event got her hooked on competitive dancing, and it marked the beginning of her journey on the feis circuit. In February 2025, Ava achieved a major milestone, winning her first feis at Leicester City. Buoyed by this success, she continued to work diligently in the primary category, refining her technique and stage presence. Her hard work paid off as she went on to claim victory at the Heart of England competition moving into intermediate. July 2025 marked an unforgettable chapter in Ava’s dancing career. Competing at her first ever CNRG World Championships, she emerged as the U12 Intermediate Champion in both her premiership and treble reel categories. An unforgettable experience in Ava’s dancing journey so far was having the opportunity to dance in the Rain City Feis in Seattle, USA. Returning home victorious, her dedication, enthusiasm and commitment continues to drive her progress. Ava is a strong dancer and puts her all into her steps and performance. She is focused and determined and always ready to learn.

Rubie is a dedicated and promising young Irish dancer currently competing in the Under 6 category, demonstrating consistent progress and growing confidence at major competitions. In May 2025, she achieved outstanding results at both the Heart of England Championships and the British Nationals in the Under 5 Beginners category, marking significant early success on the championship stage. Her strong performances continued internationally in July 2025 at the C.N.R.G. World Championships, where she delivered an impressive showing in the Under 6 Beginner Premiership and received high recognition for her treble reel performance. In October 2025, Rubie further demonstrated her development by claiming the Under 5 Beginner Championship title, and more recently she earned multiple podium finishes at the Christmas Grades Feis. These achievements reflect her steady growth, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm as she continues to build experience and confidence within competitive Irish dance.

Jess began her Irish dancing journey with Barnsley Dance Academy for several years, building her performance experience through participation in multiple displays before progressing into competitive Irish dancing. Jess made her competitive debut at the Yorkshire Rose Championships in 2024, where she delivered strong performances in both the Championship and Treble Reel events. In April 2025, she achieved significant success at the North of England Championships, marking an important milestone in her competitive journey. She continued to build on this progress at the Yorkshire Rose Championships in October 2025, achieving notable results in the Under 17 Intermediate Championship and Treble Reel. Her competitive pathway reflects steady development, commitment to training, and growing confidence within Irish dance.

Nancy began her Irish dancing training at BDA in February 2024 and has demonstrated considerable promise in the early stages of her competitive career. She has already gained valuable international experience through a confident performance in the Under 6 Primary Premiership at the C.N.R.G. World Championships, reflecting her ability to perform on a major championship stage at a young age. In May 2025, Nancy achieved a significant milestone by winning the Under 5 Beginner British National Championship, highlighting her natural ability, focus, and early competitive strength. She continued her success later in the year at the Christmas Grades 2025, where she achieved top results in both the Under 6 Primary Trophy Reel and the Under 6 Beginner Treble Reel, further showcasing her developing technique, musicality, and consistency. With clear focus and commitment to her training, Nancy continues to progress steadily as she works towards her long-term goal of competing at the highest level within Irish dance.

Shannon Rushe began her Irish dancing journey at the age of seven and has trained consistently for over fifteen years. Her introduction to Irish dance was deeply personal, inspired by her grandfather, who was from County Mayo. Through dance, Shannon sought to bring a sense of Ireland to him, a motivation that shaped not only her early connection to the art form but also her enduring passion for Irish culture and tradition. From her earliest experiences in competition, Shannon demonstrated exceptional promise, progressing rapidly to Primary level following advancement by her teacher, Tamara. During these formative years, she earned multiple awards, establishing a strong foundation for her competitive career. Alongside her competitive achievements, Shannon has participated extensively in non-competitive display performances, allowing her to develop strong performance quality and stage presence. These opportunities enabled her to share her love of Irish dance with wider audiences and to express the cultural storytelling at the heart of the tradition. Through long-term dedication, disciplined training, and continued artistic growth, Shannon has achieved significant success within adult competition. In October 2024, she delivered standout performances in the Under 25 Championships and the Under 25 Treble Reel, securing runner-up positions in both events and demonstrating consistency at a high competitive level. Most recently, Shannon achieved outstanding international recognition at the C.N.R.G. Adult Preliminary World Championships, where she was crowned Preliminary World Champion with a flawless judges’ score. This achievement reflects her technical excellence, discipline, and unwavering commitment to Irish dance, as well as the personal meaning and cultural connection that continue to inspire her journey.

Neve began her Irish dancing journey in March 2025 and made an impressive competitive debut at the Yorkshire Rose Championships in October 2025, achieving top results in the Beginner category and delivering a strong performance in the Treble Reel. She continued to demonstrate versatility and developing talent at the Christmas Grades Feis, where she achieved notable success across multiple age groups and dance disciplines, including Treble Reel, Heavy Jig, Hop Jig, Slip Jig, Light Jig, and Light Trophy. Neve’s performances reflect her dedication to training, musicality, and strong competitive potential as she continues to develop within Irish dance.

Joshua has been training with Barnsley Dance Academy for several years and made his competitive debut at the Autumn Grades Feis in September 2024, where he delivered a strong performance in the Light Trophy Reel. He continued to build valuable competitive experience at the Yorkshire Rose Championships in October 2024, producing a confident and well-received performance. In March 2025, Joshua achieved notable success at the Leicester City Championships, securing the Under 12 Beginner Championship title and earning a high result in the Treble Reel. His competitive record reflects steady progress, developing confidence, and a committed approach to his ongoing Irish dance training.

Ruby began her Irish dance journey with Barnsley Dance Academy over 10 years ago and has since competed in multiple competitions while performing in many of the displays organised by BDA. These experiences have played a key role in developing her confidence, stage presence, and performance skills. Most recently, Ruby competed at the Yorkshire Rose Championships in October 2024, where she delivered a strong showing in both the Championship and Treble Reel. She returned to the Yorkshire Rose Championships in 2025 and achieved significant success in the Under 17 Primary Championship, alongside a strong performance in the Under 17 Primary Treble Reel. Ruby’s continued participation in competitions and displays reflects her dedication to training, steady competitive progression, and commitment to her ongoing development as an Irish dancer.

Una started Irish dancing in January 2024 and her dancing journey has already been marked by outstanding achievements and a dedicated work ethic. From her very first class, it was evident that she possessed a natural passion and talent. Her enthusiasm was matched by her determination, as she consistently put in one hundred percent effort both in class and at home. Una was always willing to work tirelessly on her steps, ensuring that every movement was polished and precise. In September 2024, Una entered her first feis and this marked the start of her competitive career. The following month, Una competed at the Yorkshire Rose Feis. Here, she achieved a significant milestone by taking first place. This victory was just the beginning of a remarkable string of successes, as Una went on to win back-to-back competitions. Her rapid progression through the ranks was a testament to her dedication and natural flair for Irish dance and by early-2025 had advanced to preliminary. Una performed superbly at the 2025 CNRG World Championships, securing second place overall. She also had the honour of participating in the parade of champions—a truly memorable experience. A particular highlight of Una’s dance journey to date has been her participation in the Rain City Feis, held in Seattle, USA. Competing overseas, Una once again showcased her exceptional talent by placing first, which enabled her to move into the open level—a significant achievement. Una is a sharp light-show dancer with agility and precise footwork. She is also thoroughly enjoying the process of learning all the traditional sets.

Renee recently began her Irish dance journey and made an impressive competitive debut at her first Feis at the Yorkshire Rose Championships in October 2025. Competing in the Under 5 Beginner category, she delivered a strong and confident performance, demonstrating natural ability, enthusiasm, and promising potential at an early stage of her competitive career. In addition to her championship experience, Renee also performed in Barnsley Dance Academy’s Christmas Jig & Jingle show, where she continued to showcase her developing skills, growing confidence, and enjoyment of performance. Her early experiences reflect a positive start and a strong foundation for her continued progression in Irish dance.

Nadine began her Irish dancing journey in November 2024 and has demonstrated strong dedication and enthusiasm in a short period of time. Having already gained competitive experience, she continues to develop in confidence and technical ability through consistent training. Nadine has also performed in Barnsley Dance Academy’s Christmas Jig & Jingle show, where she delivered a confident and engaging performance, further showcasing her growing stage presence. Her steady progress, commitment to learning, and passion for Irish dance provide a solid foundation as she continues her development within the art form.

Derry demonstrated impressive progress and determination throughout the 2025 competitive season. In May 2025, she delivered strong performances in the Under 12 Beginner category at both the Heart of England Championships and the British National Championships, achieving notable success and earning high recognition for her Treble Reel, highlighting her rapid development and growing competitive strength. She continued her success on the international stage later in the season, competing in her first C.N.R.G. World Championships in July, where she produced exceptional performances in the Under 12 Primary Premiership and Treble Reel events. These achievements reflect Derry’s increasing confidence, developing technical ability, and clear commitment to excellence within Irish dance.

Lydia joined Barnsley Dance Academy in 2022 and gained valuable performance experience through participation in multiple display performances before progressing into competitive Irish dancing. She made her competitive debut at the Heart of England Championships, where she achieved a strong podium result, marking a successful introduction to championship competition. In October 2025, Lydia continued her competitive development at the Yorkshire Rose Championships, delivering notable performances in both the Under 13 Intermediate Championship and the Under 13 Intermediate Treble Reel. Her competitive journey reflects steady progress, growing confidence, and a committed approach to her ongoing development within Irish dance.

Evelyn began Irish dancing in February 2022 and has made outstanding progress in a remarkably short period of time. Through consistent hard work, determination, and a strong commitment to her training, she has rapidly developed both her technical ability and performance quality. One of her most notable achievements to date includes claiming the British National Beginner title, an exceptional accomplishment for a dancer with less than three years’ experience, alongside a series of high-level podium finishes at major championships, including the Yorkshire Rose and the C.N.R.G. World Championships at Primary level. Most recently, at the Christmas Grades Feis, Evelyn progressed to Preliminary standard and delivered an exceptional series of performances, achieving top results across the majority of her dances, including standout performances in both the Trophy Reel and Treble Reel. Her continued success reflects her dedication, resilience, and strong work ethic, marking her as a dancer with a very promising future in Irish dance.

Kaitlyn is a dedicated and talented young dancer at Barnsley Dance Academy, having begun her Irish dance journey in June 2022 and gaining valuable performance experience through participation in multiple public displays. She made her competitive debut at the Autumn Grades Feis in Wellingborough in September 2024, delivering a strong performance in her Trophy Reel and earning multiple awards across her dances. In October 2024, she continued to build her competitive experience with a notable Treble Reel performance at the Yorkshire Rose Championships. Kaitlyn achieved significant success in April 2025 at the North of England Championships, where she produced an exceptional overall performance across light and treble dances. She went on to represent on the international stage at the C.N.R.G. World Championships in July 2025, delivering a strong Treble Reel performance in the Under 8 category. Her success continued later in the year at the Yorkshire Rose Championships, where she achieved a standout Treble Reel result. Most recently, at the Christmas Grades Feis, Kaitlyn delivered a series of high-quality performances across multiple age groups and disciplines, including Light Trophy, Light Jig, Slip Jig, Heavy Jig, and Hornpipe. Her continued progress reflects her commitment, versatility, and passion for Irish dance as she develops confidently within

Neave is one of the newest members of Barnsley Dance Academy and has already begun to show great promise. Although she is not yet competing, Neave has been steadily building confidence and technique through regular classes, demonstrating enthusiasm and commitment to her training. She also gained valuable performance experience when she starred in the Christmas Jig & Jingle display in December 2025, showcasing her growing confidence and love for Irish dance as she continues her journey with the academy.

Anya has been dancing with Barnsley Dance Academy for several years, taking part in many public displays and performances outside of the competitive arena. These experiences have helped her develop confidence, strong performance skills, and a solid stage presence. In October 2024, Anya entered her first competitive event with BDA at the Yorkshire Rose Championships, where she achieved notable success. She won the Over 15 Championship and also earned a high placing for her Treble Reel performance, marking an impressive competitive debut. At the October 2025 Yorkshire Rose Championships, Anya continued her competitive journey by achieving a top-three result in the Under 25 Intermediate Championship, along with a top-ten placement in the Under 25 Treble Reel, demonstrating consistent progress and commitment to her dancing.

Alice joined Barnsley Dance Academy in 2022, where she built confidence and developed her abilities through participation in multiple display performances. She began her competitive Irish dancing journey in September 2024 at the Wellingborough Autumn Grades Feis, achieving a series of strong results, including podium finishes. Alice continued her competitive progress in October 2024 with a notable performance at the Yorkshire Rose Championships, including a strong Treble Reel presentation. In January 2025, she achieved further championship success at the East Midlands Championships at Beginner level, followed by another podium result at the British National Championships in May 2025. In July 2025, Alice represented on the international stage at the C.N.R.G. World Championships, gaining valuable experience. She continued her competitive development at the Yorkshire Rose Championships later in 2025 with a strong Beginner Treble Reel performance, and most recently achieved multiple podium results at the Christmas Grades Feis. Her competitive journey reflects consistent progress, growing confidence, and strong commitment to her ongoing development within Irish dance.

Anabelle recently began her Irish dancing journey with Barnsley Dance Academy and made her competitive debut at the C.N.R.G. Christmas Grades Feis. In her first feis, she delivered an impressive series of performances across multiple dances, achieving top results in the Under 6 Beginner Hop Jig and Light Trophy, alongside strong results in the Under 6 Beginner Light Jig and Slip Jig. Anabelle’s successful debut reflects her natural ability, growing confidence, and enthusiasm for Irish dance, marking a very promising start to her competitive journey.

Anna began her dance journey in October 2024 and has made impressive progress in a short period of time. She made her competitive debut at the Leicester City Feis in March 2025, delivering strong performances in both the Beginner Over 16 category and the Beginner Trophy Reel. In October 2025, Anna continued her competitive development at the Yorkshire Rose Championships, achieving notable results in the Over 27 Beginner Championship and Treble Reel events. Her competitive experience to date reflects her dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm for developing her skills within Irish dance.

Olivia began her Irish dance journey in October 2024 and made an outstanding competitive debut at the Leicester City Championship in March 2025, achieving top results in both the Over 16 category and the Over 16 Trophy Reel. In October 2025, she continued her competitive progression at the Yorkshire Rose Championships, delivering strong performances in the Over 30 Primary Championship and Beginner Treble Reel. Later that same month, Olivia competed internationally at the Rain City Feis in Seattle, USA, where she achieved a standout result in the Primary Adult category. Taking a step back from competitions, Olivia now continues to work hard in class learning new steps in both lights and heavies

Shannon began dancing with Barnsley Dance Academy in 2023, gaining valuable experience through participation in multiple non-competitive display performances that helped to build both technique and confidence. She made her competitive debut at the Yorkshire Championships in October 2024, marking the beginning of her competitive Irish dance journey. In January 2025, Shannon continued to develop her competitive experience at the East Midlands Championships, delivering strong performances in both the Adult Beginner Championship and Treble Reel events. She went on to compete internationally at the C.N.R.G. World Championships in July 2025, gaining valuable experience in the Adult Primary Premiership and Treble Reel categories. In October 2025, Shannon achieved notable success at the Yorkshire Rose Championships with strong performances in the Under 30 Primary Championship and Primary Treble Reel. Most recently, at the Christmas Grades Feis, she delivered an exceptional series of performances across multiple dances, including Light Jig, Hop Jig, Slip Jig, Heavy Jig, Light Trophy, and Treble Reel. Her competitive journey reflects steady progression, versatility, and a strong commitment to her continued development within Irish dance.