Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Club of the week
Academy of Irish Dancing
Stephanie Duff’s Academy of Irish Dancing isn’t just that, it’s a “big family”.
The Coatbridge based club welcomes dozens of kids, teens and young adults through their door every week.
She’s coached kids who have gone on to become world champions – as well as young Oscar Donnelly, who last year showcased his talent on the hit TV show, Little Big Shots.
Fresh from travelling to London with her twinkle-toed pupils, Stephanie told the Advertiser all about her academy.
Tell us about how your club started and flourished?
I’ve danced since I was three years old and qualified as a teacher in 2013.
Since starting the academy it’s gradually built up and become strong.
We have about 40 kids now coming in every week and social media has helped our success in that regard.
It offers our pupils fun, fitness and the chance to compete.
It really helps boost their confidence from a young age.
How often are classes on?
I’ve got classes on three nights a week.
I have my own studio behind McDonalds, in Coatbank industrial estate. We offer classes at a beginner level as well as advanced.
On a Wednesday and Friday, we do an hour for beginners followed by two hours for the advanced level dancers.
On a Sunday, I have a two-hour class for my advanced pupils too.
The parents have a room where they can socialise and chat.
How much work does it take on your part to keep it going?
It’s very stressful at times on top of my own job.
Organising competitions, shows, choreographing new dances, that’s all done outwith class hours.
I know how to manage my time to make it work. We’re organising a fundraiser at the moment and that feels like where all my free time is going.
But when you see the kids enjoying it and being successful then it makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it.
What’s it like teaching a boy as talented as Oscar?
Oscar’s like my nephew. I’ve known him since he was born.
He’s a brilliant kid and a very hard worker. He’s so talented too, I’ve never met a child that can do things he can at that age.
I was a champion dancer growing up but at his age I’d never have been able to dance the way he does.
We’ve known since he was about two he was going to have a huge talent and he’s got a big future.
What success has your academy had recently?
We’ve had quite a few champions coming through and at the moment we’ve got 11.
We compete locally every month in various parts of Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
We have two dancers who are in the top five in the world at their age, so they both have what’s called a World Globe – Cara McKay who is 15 and Paul Stoddart who is 13.
They were competing in Dublin for the World Championships this year and that’s where Cara got hers, Paul got his in Belfast last year.
They’ll be at the Championships next year in Kilarney so fingers crossed they can carry on their success.
How would you describe the relationship between you and your pupils?
We’re like one big family. We’re all really close and there for each other.
When somebody is competing everyone gets behind the dancers and there are always parties to celebrate any success.
Although we compete and work hard it’s all about friendship and being supportive of one another.
They socialse outwith class times and also involve their school friends so it becomes one big group.
What would you say to someone who was considering joining the academy?
I’d encourage them to just come along and give it a go.
Our first class is a free trial and you can see what it’s like and if it’s something you’d be interested in.
Even if you want to join for fitness reasons if you’re a bit older, that’s completely fine. It’s a great way to make new friends , compete and win trophies, and learn a new skill.
But you can also be relaxed about it and not take it as seriously.
It works out as about £4 a class and that goes towards paying the rent to allow us to keep going!