CLASSES FOR YOUTH OF ALL AGES + LEVELS
SERVING CALGARY AT THREE STUDIOS, CHINOOK, BONAVISTA and HIGHWOOD NW
We specialize in Irish Dancing classes for youth. Recreational or competitive options are available. We also have a vibrant senior champ class and Adult Beginner and Advanced classes.
We have reasonable rates, and there is no major fundraising required.
Blakey O’Brien Irish Dance focuses on FUN, FITNESS and FRIENDSHIP as well as goal-setting. Dancers are taught to achieve their personal best and to work as a team.
IRWIN IRISH DANCING
MERGED WITH BLAKEY O’BRIEn in 2021
The Irwin family ran one of the longest established Irish dancing schools in Calgary. In 2021, our schools joined forces to become one and dancers may choose the location and classes that suit them best.
MJP IRISH DANCING
MERGED WITH BLAKEY O’BRIEN IN 2023
Joelle Sheppard Anderson joined the Blakey O’Brien Studios in 2023 with the addition of the Highwood NW Studio. We amalgamated operations and are so pleased to have Joelle and her staff on board for their special gifts and skills.
Dancers can choose any of our three locations and work with teachers from Blakey O’Brien, Irwin and MJP. We have eight qualified teachers, fitness experts, performance advisors,and several junior mentors to work with our dancers. Come meet us!
BOOK A FREE TRIAL CLASS TODAY! NO OBLIGATION, JUST A FUN SESSION TO TRY IRISH DANCING!
NOW ACCEPTING BEGINNER DANCERS YEAR-ROUND!
STUDIO LOCATIONS
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We have THREE studios to serve our dancers!
THE HIVE STUDIO CHINOOK our own modern studio just blocks North of Chinook Centre. 5524 1A Street SW, BAY 4
THE HIVE STUDIO BONAVISTA in the Bonavista Downs Shopping Centre:
1215 Lake Sylvan Drive SE, Bay 15
HIGHWOOD COMMUNITY HALL, NORTH STUDIO
16 Harlow Ave NW
ABOUT US
BLAKEY IRISH DANCE: DEMAND THE BEST!
We are the FIRST school in Western Canada to bring home the World Championship title! We have both competitive and recreational dance classes in SW Calgary and SE Calgary.
Irish Dancing is a fun and enriching activity, offering something a little different from your typical “triple threat” dance or gymnastic activities. Dancers learn rhythm, balance, footwork, movement and teamwork. If your dancer loves Riverdance or Celtic music, they will enjoy Irish Dancing.
Our school is led by principal choreographer and team-leader Barbara Blakey O’Brien ADCRG (qualified teacher and adjudicator). She produces top-level choreography and has coached many regional and international champions since 1995.
Our teachers have a stellar history as competitive dancers and performers. We have EIGHT registered TCRGs working with our dancers in Calgary, and we have sister schools in Kelowna, Vernon, Regina and Saskaton. Scroll down to learn more about our fabulous teaching team!
Blakey O’Brien Dancers working on their vision boards at the Summer workshop
WHY BEES?
We lovingly call our dancers BLAKEY BEES - buzz buzz!
Barbara Blakey O’Brien is our “queen bee” and we dance at our HIVE - the Studio Space. Barbara’s photography company is called HONEY Creative.
Honey is sweet and lasts forever. It is healing and nutritious. Our worker bees are diligent, focused and on purpose, working in Community to achieve common goals!
Join our community of Blakey Bees today!
FAQ - ABOUT IRISH DANCING
- WHAT IS IT?
Traditional Irish Dancing is the basis for shows like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. All of the performers from the shows started at registered Irish Dancing Schools and likely competed as youth.
- WHY IRISH DANCE?
Irish Dancing promotes fitness and flexibilty as well as performance technique and confidence. It's also great cross-training for other activities. We have had dancers that became Olympic Athletes and professional performers. Dance is amazing for teaching dedication, perseverance and discipline. We have had dancers become successful doctors, physiotherapists, engineers, artists, and athletes. Our graduates credit their journey in Irish Dancing for playing a huge part in their success as young adults!
- WHAT IS THE SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY? WHY BLAKEY O'BRIEN?
We are a boutique school, with small class sizes. We love getting to know our students, their families, and all of the teachers are engaged and invested in the best quality Irish Dance instruction and personal development. Commitment to an activity fosters relationships outside of the collegiate environment, and builds self-esteem and confidence. Dancers learn how to perform, to compete, to win and to lose. Teachers and coaches work with dancers and their parents to create an enjoyable and enriching experience - and some great memories along the way!
- WHAT IS THE COST?
At Blakey O'Brien, we aim to offer introductory lessons for beginners at a reasonable cost. Fees start at $70.00 per month plus GST. A small registration fee is charged which includes a class t-shirt. We have a second-hand shoe and costume program. We have an optional fundraising program to help families fund their dancers activities. Irish dancing does not need to be an expensive venture!
- WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD PROGRESSES?
At the height of championship level tuition, dancers can expect to pay $220.00 per month for 5 hours a week of class, with several teachers on hand and small group instruction. Dancers at any level can choose to attend pay-as-you-go workshops, private lessons, or personal training sessions in fitness / ballet / stretching to enhance their practice. These are all optional and not mandatory. Financial assistance is also available for top-performing dancers who cannot afford the extras. Fundraising is available as a tool to reduce expenses.
- IS THERE MANDATORY PARENT FUNDRAISING OR VOLUNTEERING?
We get it - you are busy! We don't do bingos or other major fundraising at this time. Parents are asked to volunteer at our annual TDL Society / Blakey supported Feis (Competition) each January at the Hyatt Downtown Calgary. We have various social events during the year and we ask parents to pitch in to make these gatherings awesome. The goal is to have a great time together and support our dancers in their growth.
- WHAT SHOULD MY DANCER WEAR TO CLASS?
Dancers can wear a t-shirt and shorts, or other apparel suitable for exercise. No jeans or other restrictive apparel. If you don't have shoes, you can either wear an old pair of ballet slippers, light soled runners, or sock feet. We have a second hand shoe program to help families sell gently used items. We also have a shoe vendor that visits the studio in September and sells shoes at local competitions. Dancers start in soft shoe and graduate to hard shoe once they have mastered the basic soft shoe dances.
- HOW DO COMPETITIONS WORK?
We do recommend that most dancers try a "feis" - pronounced "FESH", a dancing festival. Usually this is at some point at the end of the first year, or in their second year, to get their feet wet. Beginners compete in a non-pressured environment with kids at the same age and level. Most dancers do the local competitions (4 a year) and some move on to compete at the Worlds, North Americans, and Regionals. Dancers can also choose to be recreational, doing only classes and performances locally. We also send dancers to the All Ireland, Great Britains, and Australian Open. We encourage families to design a program and schedule that works for you.
- QUESTIONS? NOT A PROBLEM, WE WOULD LOVE TO CHAT!
We do our best to communcate regularly with our dancers and dance parents. If you have any questions please contact us!
“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”
Mikhail Baryshnikov
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Barbara Blakey O'Brien TCRG, ADCRG - Director
Barbara is registered as a certified Irish Dancing Teacher and is an esteemed Adjudicator. She is the founding member and director of Blakey Irish Dance, since 1997. What started with three students in a church basement has blossomed to a school that has locations in six cities with ten teachers, and the very FIRST Western Canadian World Champion - her student MacKenzie Mahler.
Barbara teaches classes in Calgary,and offers choreography and technique workshops in all Blakey locations across Western Canada. She has coached students to win top major championships, including first place at the Great Britain Championships, North American Championships, The Australian Open and the World Championships, with many podium placements and regional winners over the years.
Barbara is currently the Marketing Chairperson of the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin (An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha) and represents the Western Canadian Irish Dancing Teachers Association and the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America.
Barbara and her husband, Sean O'Brien live in Calgary with her two children, Stella and Simon, and work together at the dancing class as well as travelling to competitions worldwide, where Barbara is an adjudicator, and Sean plays the music.
Barbara is also a professional photographer, see her work at www.honeycreative.ca
FIONA O’NEILL BOETTCHER TCRG
Fiona is an Irwin alumna who teaches at both Blakey O’Brien locations.
BIO coming soon!
KELLY McCABE HOPP TCRG
Kelly is an Irwin alumna who teaches at both Blakey O’Brien locations.
BIO coming soon!
Kimmy Cooper TCRG
Kimmy was a stellar champion dancer at Blakey O'Brien, having won the Oireachtas numerous times and havingrepresented the region at the North Americans, Worlds and All Irelands. Kimmy studied at Quest University obtaining a bachelors of Arts and Science degree, however she currently works in her field with a focus on economics and consumer psychology.
Kimmy passed her TCRG examination in 2016 on her first attempt and is a great mentor to our young dancers.
Kathie Kaiser TCRG
Kathie is a wonderful addition to the Blakey team. She joined our school after having moved from Ontario to Calgary in 2015 - a welcome import!
Kathie holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education, is a kindergarten and preschool principal and an accomplished dancer, having trained with Goggin-Carroll in Ontario since she was five years old, with additional training from Frances McGahan. She loves teaching all levels of Irish dance and passed her TCRG examination in Los Angeles in 2017 on her first try. She lives in SW Calgary with her husband Chris and daughter Liv and enjoys crossfit, running and yoga.
Sean O'Brien - Associate Teacher
Sean is one of the world's leading Irish Dance musicians, having played at competitions worldwide, including the prestigious World Irish Dancing Championships and the All Ireland Championships.
Sean danced in his native Brisbane for Scoil Ard Rince. As a competitorhe was the Australian National champion and placed sixth in the world. Sean joined Riverdance and toured with the Liffey Troupe for four years as a dancer and musician.
Having lived in London for eight years, Sean recently relocated to Calgary and assists in the Blakey class with musicality, body rhythm, drills, performance skill and technique. Sean’s music is on the FEIS APP - www.feistheapp.com
Laura Buckley-Arnold TCRG, MBA
Laura is a certified Irish Dancing teacher, having grown up attending the Blakey School in Saskatoon.
Laura obtained her teaching certification in 2006 and joined the Blakey coaching team. Laura enjoys teaching all levels of solo and group dancing at our Calgary location and through workshops at our other studios.
Outside of the studio, Laura works as a Senior Advisor in Government Relations for a large power company. She and her husband Erik reside in Calgary.
DR. BEN ABELSETH TCRG
Ben is a former Blakey dancer who is now doing his medical residency as an anasthesiologist. Ben achieved 6th place in the World Championships and since retiring his shoes, he is always available to mentor and support our Blakey O’Brien dancers.
MacKenzie Mahler- Studio Assistant & MENTOR
MacKenzie has had an amazing amount of competitive success, as the very first World Champion from a Western Canadian school, she also has the following titles: Great Britain Champion, North American Champion, All Ireland Champion, Australian Open Champion, and Western Region Champion.
Mac is the studio and office admin assistant for Blakey O’Brien and loves to help by mentoring the school’s next generation. She looks forward to getting her teaching accreditation once she completes her competitive career and would also like to be an adjudicator in the future.
ERIN ROBERGE - FITNESS AND DANCE MENTOR
Erin is a teaching student and former champion dancer from Irwin Irish dance. She has performed in Riverdance and Celtic Illusions and mentors young Blakey O’Brien dancers. She also teaches fitness classes for our dancers.
BIO coming soon!
SEND US A MESSAGE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A FREE TRIAL CLASS, PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES OR STUDIO RENTALS.