WHELAN SCHOOL
OF IRISH DANCE
Irish dancing classes for children aged 4yrs and up in Brisbane’s western suburbs
Take a leap…
…join the fun!
Whether or not your family has an Irish background, Irish dancing can be enjoyed by all! Our Irish dance classes offer fun, fitness, and friendship for children aged 4 and up in Brisbane’s west. Beyond learning the skills of Irish dancing, your child will also learn:
Self-confidence
Teamwork and sportsmanship
Goal setting and work ethic
Timing and rhythm
A love of music and culture!
Anna Bittner, T.C.R.G.
Anna started Irish dancing in Brisbane at the age of 10 after falling in love with the Riverdance revolution that was sweeping the world by storm. She advanced through the levels and competed at the highest level of competition, placing top 3 in Queensland, top 10 in Australia, and representing Australia in the World Championships. Through the years, Anna was also a member of many state championship-winning ceili teams and countless performance troupes. She passed the comprehensive T.C.R.G. exam in 2017, giving her the certification to teach under the world’s premier Irish dancing organisation, An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha. After graduating from university and establishing her nursing career, she founded the Whelan School of Irish Dance in 2023.
Anna is passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of Irish Dancing with the upcoming generation of little jiggers! Childhood dance lessons not only offer fun, fitness and friendship to boys and girls of all ages, but also help to develop motor skills and coordination, self-confidence, teamwork skills and more! As a registered nurse, Anna also holds current CPR and first aid certifications, so your children are in safe hands.
Class Timetable
Monday & Wednesday in school terms
MONDAY
4:30pm - 5:00pm: New Beginners
4:30pm - 5:15pm: Beginners
4:30pm-5:30pm: Advanced Beginners & Primary
5:30pm-6:30pm: Intermediate/Open
Class Fees
New Beginners - $10 per class, charged per term (first class FREE!)
Levels
New Beginners:
This class is for beginner Irish dancers aged 4 and older. They will learn the basic dance steps and sequences, and begin to learn about technique and performance.
Beginners:
This class is for dancers who have mastered their basic dance movements and are ready to put their movements into dances!
Advanced Beginner and Primary
This class is for dancers who have mastered their first beginner-level dances and are ready to learn more! Hardshoe dances will be introduced at this level, and students have the opportunity to participate in competitions and grade exams.
WEDNESDAY
4:30pm-5:00pm: New Beginners
4:30pm - 5:15pm: Beginners
4:30pm-5:30pm: Advanced Beginners & Primary
5:30pm-6:30pm: Teams
6:30-7:30pm: Intermediate/Open
FAQs
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No! To start out, joggers/running shoes will be all that is required. If your child wants to continue classes in Term 2 or if they advance quickly, then Anna will discuss with you when it would be appropriate to purchase their first pair of Irish dancing shoes.
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General athletic wear (bike shorts, tshirts, joggers) is fine, but girls may also choose to wear a ballet-like leotard and skirt if they wish to do so. We ask that long hair is tied back off the face, and that all dancers bring a clearly-labelled water bottle to all classes!
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Pre-beginner classes are 30 minutes long, more information on class times are in our ‘classes’ section.
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To ensure the best learning experience for your child, we ask that parents wait outside while the class is in session. This helps children stay focused and enjoy their time dancing.
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Absolutely! Irish dance basics are the same for boys and girls, and Irish dance is an athletic mix of art and sport that boys can really excel in!
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Pre-beginner classes are $10 per class. The first lesson is free, and then you will be billed for classes in the remaining weeks of each term.
Get in touch!
To register for your first class, email, call or use the contact form to the right to send a message to Anna!
Email: whelanschoolirishdance (at) gmail.com
Phone: 0431 224 581