Irish Dance Studio
780-220-7505
WELCOME TO
SCOIL RINCE
FÀINNE CHLADACH
Irish Dance instruction from Beginner to Champion
Photo Credit: Shane Duignan
YZANNE NOONE, PRINCIPAL
Yzanne Noone
TCRG ADCRG
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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 .
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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.
GET IN TOUCH
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:
(780) 220-7505