Irish Dance Studio
WELCOME TO
SCOIL RINCE
FÀINNE CHLADACH
Irish Dance instruction from Beginner to Champion
Photo Credit: Shane Duignan
YZANNE NOONE, PRINCIPAL
Yzanne Noone
TCRG ADCRG
Photo Credit : Zhenya Cerneacov
Yzanne is from Monivea, Co Galway. She started dancing at the age of three with the Cunniffe School of Dancing. It was here that her love of Irish dance was nurtured by Mairin and Frankie Cunniffe.
She danced for a time with Mairead O’Flaherty in the Claddagh Galway, before returning to dance with the Cunniffe-Gillian School, under the tutelage of Mairin Cunniffe and Terry Gillan. The love and passion for Irish Dance which all her teachers instilled provided the roadmap for her successful Irish Dance journey.
Yzanne spent her younger years dancing competitively while also touring and dancing in shows, including Ceoltóirí Maighlocha, Planxty O’Rourke, Reeltime and Ragús. Yzanne won numerous Oireachtas titles and was a medal winner at all major championships. She joined the cast of Riverdance, The Show in 1996. She spent three years touring the world with the show, after which she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Theatre and Dance at Boston College, USA. She then completed her B.A. in Performing Arts and Folk Theatre.
Yzanne has been involved in teaching Irish dancing for over 20 years. Achieving her TCRG and ADCRG qualifications were amongst her proudest moments in Irish dance. In 2011, Yzanne emigrated from Ireland to Toronto, Canada, with her husband and three daughters. She now runs her own school “Scoil Rince Fáinne Chladach”, with her husband and fellow Irish dance teacher Damien Noone.
“Teaching Irish dance and handing down our culture and traditions to the next generation of dancers is an honor and privilege. Being able to do so in Canada makes me especially proud of my Irish heritage”.
DAMIEN NOONE, PRINCIPAL
Damien Noone
TCRG
Damien Noone is from Castlepollard, Co Westmeath. He began dancing at the age of 6, first learning Irish dance from Billy Griffin, who had been taught by the famous Dance Master Ted Kavanagh from Derry. He received instruction from a number of eminent dance teachers over the years including Phoebe and Siobhan O’Donoghue, Bernard Hynes, Grainne Feely and Anthony Costello.
Damien was a competitive Irish dancer until the age of 19. He won numerous championships including the Great Britain Irish Dance Championships, the British Nationals and in 1995 and 1996 he won the World Irish Dance Championships. Damien became the first World Champion to wear pants rather than the traditional kilt in 1995 – a trend-setter for sure!
During his time in University in Galway, Ireland, Damien performed with many Irish cultural groups including Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Brú Ború and Ragús as well as dancing in various productions in local theatre.
In 1997 Damien took a sabbatical from University to tour with Riverdance as an understudy to the male lead. He spent 2 years touring the world with Riverdance after which he returned to University to complete his studies, eventually earning his MD and specializing in pediatric nephrology. Dr. Damien Noone is currently a Staff Nephrologist in the Division of Paediatric Nephrology at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, and Program Director for Paediatric Nephrology .
Yzanne and Damien have spent the past 20 years teaching dancers around the world and are humbled and proud to hand on the Irish Dance traditions which they grew up with in Ireland to future generations of dancers.
CAMILLE SLAGHT
Camille Slaght
TCRG
Camille Slaght was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and started dancing at the age of 9. She was instantly drawn to the beauty and discipline of Irish dancing. Camille competed under Gilchrist-Canavan and Butler Fearon O’Connor, where she trained under the instruction of Yzanne and Damien Noone and Rose Fearon.
Her proudest achievement while competing was winning the All Scotland Championships in 2017. She is also a two-time world medal holder, two-time Eastern Canadian Oireachtas champion and placed third at the North American Championships.
In 2018, Camille was featured on the CBC Arts Series The Move. She has also appeared on the television show The Next Step, and has performed with Canadian group The Barra MacNeils at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto.
Camille holds a degree in Political Science and French Literature as well as a law degree, and works as a commercial lawyer. In 2022, Camille obtained her TCRG certification and she is thrilled to be teaching at Scoil Rince Fainne Chladach to share her love of dance with the next generation.
MADELEINE FOLLIS
Madeleine Follis
TCRG
Madeleine Follis was born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She started dancing with the Short School in Montreal when she was 3, and continued in Toronto when Gilchrist opened when she was 9. Over the years, Madeleine competed under both Gilchrist-Canavan and then Butler Fearon O’Connor.
Madeleine competed all throughout university, training again with the Short School while she was away in Montreal. She is a two-time Eastern Canadian Oireachtas champion, World Medal holder, and has placed top 10 in several International Majors.
Madeleine has also performed throughout the years, from shows with Natalie MacMaster, The Barra McNeils, and The Chieftains.
Madeleine holds a double major degree in English Literature and Canadian Irish Studies, as well as a post-graduate degree in Sport + Event Marketing, while currently working in Marketing. In 2023, Madeleine obtained her TCRG certification and is excited to share her love of Irish dance with Scoil Rince Fainne Chladach.
ÓRLA KEANE
Órla Keane began Irish dancing at the age of 5 in Toronto, Canada with the Butler Academy. Her competitive Irish dancing background includes winning six Eastern Canada Championships and three North American National Championships .
Her time with Riverdance included tours of North America and a 2 year stint with the company on Broadway. She continued performing with the show for high profile corporate events and television, performing at iconic locations such as the Giza Pyramids, Radio City Music Hall, Dubai's Palm Atlantis Hotel for Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and for Her Highness Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to Ireland in 2011. Órla has also performed alongside renowned musical talents such as Westlife, U2, Enya, Lionel Ritchie, Enya, the Sugababes, Altan and the Chieftains.
Órla Keane
TCRG
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If you would like to enroll in any of our Dance Classes or would simply like more information on our school or performance opportunities, please complete the form and we will contact you as soon as we can.
If you'd prefer to call us, you can reach us at (647) 975-8975.