The McElhatton School of Irish Dancing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was established in 2002. Our students range in age from preschool to adult. We believe that Irish Dancing is both an individual and a team sport. Our primary focus is building supportive relationships and community connections to foster resiliency in our students and to encourage their lifelong physical activity through dance.
We shine when we perform throughout the greater Edmonton area as we celebrate and showcase our love of music, dance, and culture. We are registered with C.L.R.G., Dublin; W.C.I.D.T.A., Western Canada; I.D.T.A.N.A., North America.
Our students participate in competititons ("feisanna") year round throughout Western Canada and North America, including qualifiers for the World Championships.
Contact Us if you would like to hire our performance team to entertain at your special event.
We are a modern Irish dance school rooted in tradition. Our director and choreographer, Monica McElhatton, first learned dance in Ireland from her grandparents who were dance masters in Irish National Schools. Monica was among the first group of Western Canadians to compete at the World Irish Dancing Championships.
Monica took a hiatus from Irish Dance to pursue Bachelor’s degrees in Arts and Education and a Master’s Degree in English at the University of Alberta. When Monica’s four children were young, she returned to dance and soon qualified as a T.C.R.G., a registered teacher with the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin. In 2012, Monica earned her A.D.C.R.G., Árd Diploma Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (Highest Diploma in Gaelic Dancing), which certifies her as a qualified Adjudicator of Irish Dance competitions.
Monica’s Assistant Teacher is her daughter, Theresa Stasuk. Theresa is a registered Recreation Therapist and an accomplished Irish Dancer.
School Director
BA, BEd, MA, TCRG, ADCRG (Irish Dancing Commission, Dublin)
Assistant Teacher
BA (Psych), BARST (Recreation, Sports & Tourism), Registered Recreation Therapist
All Ages & Levels
We offer competitive and recreational classes.
Enjoy Live "Dancing at the Crossroads"!
We entertain at weddings, cultural & social events, & St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
We offer a variety of classes and supplemental training for children, adolescents, and adults.
If you'd like to try a FREE CLASS**, please contact us by phone or email.
SOLO DANCING:
Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, & Set Dances
GROUP DANCING:
Ceili Dancing and Figure Dancing
SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING:
Performance Choreography
Strength & Conditioning
OUR CLASSES:
Beginner I and II; Advanced Beginner
Novice/Prizewinner; Championship
Adult Beginner to Prizewinner
Team/Performance
**Offer valid for one free class per person only. Your free class must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Once booked, you may re-schedule your free class only once, with at least 72 hours notice.
Offer of a free class void upon cancelling your scheduled free class less than 72 hours in advance or missing your scheduled free class with no notice.
Our dress guidelines ensure that students come prepared to stretch and move; restrictive clothing may cause injury. Please note denim-wear is not allowed in class. We will advise students on the purchase of proper Irish Dance Shoes upon registration. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR CLASSES: Water Bottle, Skipping Rope
COMPETITIVE DANCE CLASSES:
School Uniform
Pomps and Hard Shoes
Solo Dress (advanced levels)
TRIAL CLASSES:
Shorts/Dance Pants or Skirt
T-Shirt or Tank Top
Soft-Soled Dance Shoes / Flexible-Soled Sneakers
ADULT BEGINNER CLASSES:
Comfortable Athletic Clothing
Soft-Soled Dance Shoes / Flexible-Soled Sneakers
Pomps and Hard Shoes
All students registered in the school require a class costume. There is an annual costume rental fee that will be included with your registration details.
Our class costumes feature our school logo: two swans entwined in a Celtic knot. Swans symbolize grace, beauty, and the power of the self in Celtic Mythology.
Contact Us for information regarding schedules, registration, and fees.
3rd Street Beat Entertainment Dance Studio
13883 156 Street, Edmonton
Tuesday & Friday Evenings
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
Phone: (780) 488-4919