About

MCCONNELL IRISH DANCE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST IRISH DANCE SCHOOLS IN CANADA

THREE GENERATIONS OF IRISH DANCE

McConnell Irish Dancers are one of the oldest Irish dance troupes in North America. Founded in Ireland over 100 years ago, the school was established in Winnipeg, Canada in 1947. Well into it’s third generation, the McConnell Irish Dance is under the direction of accomplished dancer and choreographer Shayleen McConnell Finucan (ODCRN) and a team of dedicated teaching assistants who've all trained with the school since they were youngsters.

McConnell Irish Dance is the largest and longest established Irish Dance school in Manitoba with locations in Winnipeg and Brandon. Offering the highest quality of Irish dance classes for all ages and abilities from preschool to adult. McConnell School of Dance has instructed thousands of students in Manitoba spanning over 100 years and three generations of Irish dance excellence.

McConnell Dancers are recognised for their high calibre, energetic performances which encompasses both traditional and contemporary forms of Irish Dance.

National and International award-winning McConnell Dancers compete at the highest levels including the North American and World Irish Dance Championships in Ireland, hosted by Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN).

Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is to provide dancers with an encouraging, positive learning environment where students can achieve their individual goals and learn the value of working as part of a team in safe, family atmosphere. Dancers have the option to choose Recreational, Competitive, or Performance Irish Dance.

Our teaching methods are based on Irish tradition and incorporate modern teaching techniques to accelerate the learning process.
Class sizes are limited to achieve individual focus on our students and classes generally do not exceed an 8 -1 student to teacher ratio.
All dancers receive one on one time with instructors and are encouraged to seek their personal best through training, hard work, and support from their instructors.

WORLD CALIBRE PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITIVE IRISH DANCE

McConnell Irish Dancers have travelled the world to represent Canada and Ireland in CIOFF International Festivals, Peru (2007), Costa Rica (2009), Bulgaria (2011)), North Carolina (2017). In 2012, McConnell Irish Dancers performed at Walt Disney World, Florida at the American Celtic Irish Dance Festival and in 2013 they were honoured to be the only Canadian Irish dance troupe to be invite to perform in Ireland as part of the Gathering 2013.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

McConnell Dancers are a member of C.I.O.F.F International and have performed all over the world, promoting Celtic Culture.

2007 - Peru

2009 - Costa Rica

2011 - Bulgaria

2012 - Walt Disney World Florida

2013 - Ireland (Limerick & Dublin)

2016 - Peru

2017 - North Carolina, USA

McConnell Irish Dancers have performed with the Chieftains, Irish Descendants, Irish Rovers, and Tommy Makem. The group has performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 1998, 2009, and 2016. The dancers perform with the very talented Traditional Irish musicians from the Barefoot Ceili Band and Enaid.

54 YEARS OF FOLKLORAMA

Sam McConnell was one of the founding members of the Folk Art Council of Winnipeg. The McConnell Dancers have performed at the Ireland-Irish Pavilion, the Emerald Isle pavilion and the school ran the "Isle of the Shamrock" pavilion from 1996 - 2003, and currently sponsor the British Isles Pavilion. All students are invited to perform at the pavilion and enjoy a fun filled week of culture, music and dance in Canada's largest and longest running multicultural festival

OUR STUDIO

HOME TO GENERATIONS OF IRISH DANCERS

WINNIPEG LOCATION

Our Winnipeg Studio is located at Unit 6 - 2 Donald Street (at the corner of Gertrude and Donald)

The 2500 square foot newly renovated studio features a sprung floor, specially designed for the rigours of Irish dance and covered with high quality Marley Dance vinyl. Designed with dancers safety in mind, students from Beginner to Champion will excel knowing they've got the best surface to work on.

Our open, fully air-conditioned studio and waiting room have dual ventilation systems for the highest HEPA filtration for superior quality air circulation.

Ground level for accessibility and conveniently located near major shopping centres.

BRANDON LOCATION

Our Brandon Classes are held 32 9th St, Brandon, MB R7A 4A5 at Steppin' Time Dance Studios.