BCA

Jul82023 by BCANo Comments

Team Bluegrass Ceili Academy brings home national championship title

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ-2oKQ36X8 Bluegrass Ceili Academy was crowned the inaugural Adult Mixed Four Hand champions this week in Nashville at the 2023 North American Irish Dance Championships. It's the first national-level win for Lexington's community-based Irish dance program. "Our school motto is 'Do What Makes Your Heart Sing' and our dancers showed the judges and everyone in the room just how much dancing makes their hearts sing," said Megan Moloney, the academy's founder and director. "We didn't put pressure on ourselves for this competition. Nashville is nearby, so we decided we would go, have fun and dance our best. We are thrilled that effort was enough to bring a national championship title back to Lexington." The North American championships feature dancers from the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 2023 event was…

Apr222023 by BCANo Comments

Join us for Céilí Mór Kentucky July 21-22 in Lexington

Local Events

The Bluegrass Ceili Academy, in partnership with the Bluegrass Irish Society, Lexington Parks and Recreation, the Kentucky Irish Music Academy and Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers presents Céilí Mór Kentucky 2023, a celebration of Irish dance, music and language. This event is made possible in part by a dance development grant from An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha. Join us in Lexington July 21-22 at Artworks at Tates Creek for workshops in Irish dance, music and language. Learn from professional musicians and dancers and participate in two community ceilis Friday and Saturday evenings Admission is $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday (unlimited classes + ceili) or $5 for just the evening ceili. The event will be held at Lexington Parks and Recreation's Tates Creek ballroom at 1400 Gainesway Drive. Participants will…

Dec312022 by BCANo Comments

Registration for 2023 Irish dance classes in Lexington open now!

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction

The new year is a new opportunity to join our fun, affordable Irish dance classes in Lexington! Now is the time to sign up with Bluegrass Ceili Academy for our winter/spring session. Our classes — for beginners, youth and adults — focus on learning and mastering the basics of Irish dancing — we’ll have a variety of classes to choose from in 2023. Beginner Irish Dance (Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 p.m.) – This class is for students ages 5-12 who have never taken an Irish dance class. Specific instruction will focus on the fundamentals of Irish dance, including recital material. Students without previous dance or Irish dance experience are welcome. Youth Irish Dance (Mondays, 6-6:55 p.m.) – This class is for returning students or those placed in the class with the permission of the instructor. Students…

Sep52022 by BCANo Comments

Bluegrass Ceili Academy expands expertise with new teaching partnership

Instruction, Uncategorized

Heading into the 2022-23 dance class year, Bluegrass Ceili Academy is again expanding it's national and global partnerships to provide opportunities for its dancers. Lexington's community-based Irish dance program has partnered with former world medalist and international champion Courtney Jay, TCRG. Jay is director of Scoil Rince Luimni in Connecticut and, like Bluegrass Ceili Academy, focuses on bringing a modern approach to the traditional art of Irish dance. Courtney Jay has been dancing for 25 years. She trained for 12 years under Sheila Stevens and she found her love for Irish dancing and passion for teaching. Courtney attended the University of Limerick, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Irish Music and Dance with first class honors. While in Ireland she studied under the Fleming-Ball School of Irish Dance where she…

Sep52022 by BCANo Comments

Registration for Irish dance classes in Lexington open now!

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

If you’ve been looking for fun, affordable Irish dance classes in Lexington, now is the time to sign up with Bluegrass Ceili Academy. Our classes — for beginners, youth and adults — focus on learning and mastering the basics of Irish dancing — we’ll have a variety of classes to choose from this fall. Beginner Irish Dance (Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 p.m.) – This class is for students ages 5-12 who have never taken an Irish dance class. Specific instruction will focus on the fundamentals of Irish dance, including recital material. Students without previous dance or Irish dance experience are welcome.Youth Irish Dance (Mondays, 6-6:55 p.m.) – This class is for returning students or those placed in the class with the permission of the instructor. Students in this class should have mastered basic ceili movements and…

Aug202022 by BCANo Comments

Join us for Céilí Mór Kentucky Aug. 26-27 in Lexington

Bluegrass Ceili Academy

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, in partnership with the Bluegrass Irish Society and McTeggart Irish Dancers (Kentucky), presents Céilí Mór Kentucky, a weekend celebration of Irish dance, music and language. Céilí Mór Kentucky is made possible in part by a dance development grant from An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha. Join us August 26-27 in Lexington at Artworks at the Carver School for two days of workshops in Irish dance, music and language. Learn from professional musicians and dancers and participate in a community ceili to wrap up the event. Admission is $5 per day, with unlimited classes per day. The event will be held at Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson Street, Lexington, KY. Participants will have the opportunity to take classes in Irish dance, music and language from a talented…

Aug172022 by BCANo Comments

Bluegrass Ceili again named a favorite Lexington dance studio

Bluegrass Ceili Academy

Bluegrass Ceili Academy is back on the podium this year in the 2022 Best of Lexington awards. We're honored to be a favorite Lexington dance studio according to YOU and our community! The Lexington Herald Leader's 2022 Best of Lexington Awards were announced August 14 and thanks to our community, Bluegrass Ceili Academy was among the top three. "We couldn't be more excited to be among the top studios according to our neighbors," said academy director Megan Moloney. It's the second year in a row that the #dowhatmakesyourheartsing studio has been at the top of mind for Lexingtonians. In 2021, Bluegrass Ceili Academy took top honors. "One of my favorite quotes from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is 'though she be but little, she is fierce.," Moloney explained. "I think…

Sep62021 by BCANo Comments

Lexington Irish dance teacher wins Global Excellence in Teaching Award

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

Irish Dancing Magazine announces 2021 recipients The following story was originally published on Patch.com. Irish Dancing Magazine, a global print magazine covering the interesting world of Irish dancing, recently announced the award-winning recipients of the 2021 Irish Dancing Teacher Awards. The international award recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring extraordinary dance teachers. “We are thrilled that Lexington Irish dance teacher, Megan Moloney with Bluegrass Ceili Academy, is one of 23 teachers in the world receiving the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award. Megan is beloved by her students and parents alike and is an engaging, caring and inspirational dance teacher,” shared Denise Keane, publisher of Irish Dancing Magazine. After an extensive review of hundreds of nominations, Irish Dancing Magazine narrowed the field to an impressive list which includes 17 individuals and…

Sep52021 by BCANo Comments

Bluegrass Ceili named Readers’ Choice for favorite Lexington dance studio

Community, Irish Dance Classes in Lexington

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!! The Lexington Herald Leader's 2021 Reader's Choice Awards were announced August 15 and thanks to our community, Bluegrass Ceili Academy was named your favorite Lexington dance studio. "We feel the love and we thank you for voting for us," said academy director Megan Moloney. The Reader's Choice Award was the second big recognition for Central Kentucky's community-based Irish dance program in August. Earlier in the month, Irish Dancing Magazine named Moloney one of 23 teachers worldwide receiving their 2021 Excellence in Teaching award. "One of my favorite quotes from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is 'though she be but little, she is fierce.," Moloney explained. "I think it fits Bluegrass Ceili Academy perfectly -- though we are a small, community-based program, it's clear that…

Aug22021 by BCANo Comments

Bluegrass Ceili’s Megan Moloney recognized for excellence in teaching

Bluegrass Ceili Academy, Instruction

The founder and director of Lexington's community-based Irish dance school was recently recognized with a global excellence in teaching award. Bluegrass Ceili Academy's Megan Moloney is one of just 23 individuals worldwide who were singled out for Irish Dancing Magazine's 2021 Irish Dancing Teacher Awards. "It's such an amazing thing to be able to share my chosen art with others. It's an even more amazing thing when you can see the impact you have on them. And when you're recognized for that impact at a global level? That's so very special," Moloney said. In April, Irish Dancing Magazine announced they were seeking nominations for dance teachers with qualities that reflect a standard of excellence that goes beyond competitive results. Students from Bluegrass Ceili Academy nominated Moloney for not only her…