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About us

Champlain Valley Irish Dance, Inc. offers classes for beginners up to internationally competitive champion level dancers with instruction from the renowned Bernadette Short School of Irish Dancing from Montreal Canada. Dancers can begin classes as young as age 5 but can begin at any age, including adulthood. Irish Dance is a fun activity that offers physical exercise and is a form of expression rooted in the traditions and cultures of Ireland.   

 

HISTORY...

It all began when Bernadette Short came to Montreal from her native Dublin in early 1974. She soon began teaching the Irish step dances she had learned while growing up in Ireland. The school is in its 40th year and has grown to include several locations producing numerous champion level dancers and is the number one choice for Irish Dance instruction across Quebec. 

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT...

Here at the Champlain Valley Irish Dance we believe it is important to be involved in the community and spread our love of dance. Dancers perform at many community events throughout the year, but are most popular at events in the month of March as many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Other events include Battle of Plattsburgh Parade, Chazy Memorial Day Parade, Autism Awareness Walk, Plattsburgh Holiday & Tree Lighting and senior residences and hospitals.

 

INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE...

Dancers from Champlain Valley Irish Dance, Inc. and the Bernadette Short School are extremely successful in the competitive Irish dance network. The school has won regional and North American titles in both solo and team events every year for many years, and is the only school in Quebec to produce multiple medals and podium finishes at the World Championships in both teams and solo events. The dancers who compete at this level are extremely dedicated and disciplined in their dancing, fitness and health.

Facts about us 

  • the short school has grown to include NINE QUALIFIED IRISH DANCE TEACHERS (TCRG)  across FIVe different locations in quebec and upstate new york. 

 

  • bernadette and marie short are qualified adjudicators of irish dance (ADCRG). they judge competitions around the world and bring back more knowledge and expertise to the dancers of the short school.

 

  • This year, the short school had 34 solo recalls at the eastern canadian championships making the school 2nd in eastern canada in terms of solo recalls.

 

  • this year, the short school had 12 top 5 placements at the eastern canadian championships including 2 first place champions!

 

  • THIS YEAR, THE SHORT SCHOOL HAS 16 WORLD QUALIFIERS MAKING THE SCHOOL 3RD IN EASTERN CANADA IN TERMS OF WORLD QUALIFIERS 

 

  • this year, the short school had  5 top 3 finishes in the team events at the eastern canadian championships and 13 placed teams overall!

 

  • the short school has had 2 north american champions in our history. James houghton in 2017 and anne marie keanan (Adcrg) in 2002!

 

  • the short school has had tremendous success at the world championships with a total of 10 world medals in our history! 8 solo medals, and 2 team medals.

 

  • In 2016, the short school had its first solo podium finish at the world championships. lucas lawton placed 5th in the world in 2016 in the senior men category 

 

  • in 2012, the short school's over 16 mixed ceili team came third in the world and won a coveted silver globe trophy!