Welcome To
Ciara Beech
Dance Academy
About Us
Ciara Beech Dance Academy is a dance school based in Co. Galway with locations in Gort and Portumna.
At CBDA we strive to create an environment where every child feels valued, safe and happy. We aim to ensure that students walk out of class feeling more confident and more energised than when they walked in!
Students are encouraged to take Royal Academy of Dance exams, however they are not mandatory.
We also hold annual performances for all students, with our annual end of year show taking place in the beautiful Town Hall Theatre, Galway.
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The Teachers
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Ciara Beech (BA (Hons), RAD RTS, ISTD DDE)
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CBDA was founded in 2014. Principal, Ciara Beech is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She is also a qualified Modern Dance / Jazz teacher with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) and holds Advanced 2 level Modern Theatre, Advanced Ballet and Advanced 1 Tap. Ciara is also a registered teacher of the Rambert Grades syllabi, a contemporary dance syllabus created by the most highly esteemed choreographers of the contemporary dance world.
Ciara started teaching in 2009 and so has almost 2 decades of teaching experience in some of the top dance schools and stage schools in the country, as well as working in primary schools and secondary schools teaching dance and drama, staging shows and choreographing musicals. Ciara has been honoured to be asked to judge several talent competitions and Strictly Come Dancing fundraisers around Galway.
Ciara trained at Momentum Performing Arts Academy (Formerly Howard Performing Arts and Teacher Training College) in Hertfordshire where she gained invaluable experience under the tuition of many West End and Broadway performers, professional ballet dancers and ISTD examiners studying ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre and drama.
She then attended Inchicore College where she completed her ISTD qualifications and attained Advanced 2 Modern and Advanced 1 Tap awards. While teaching full time, Ciara completed the Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) to become a registered teacher with the RAD.
Throughout the year, Ciara attends Continuous Professional Development courses in Ireland and the UK, and is always up to date with best teaching practices and child safety.
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Róisín Hanley
(BA (Children's Studies), RAD RTS, ISTD
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Róisín is a qualified and registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, Imperial Society for Teachers of Dance, Rambert Grades and Progressing Ballet Technique, as well as having a BA in Children's Studies.
Róisín has been teaching for nearly 10 years with experience nationally and internationally, having taught in New Zealand in 2024 and 2025. Róisín brings a high standard of professionalism, technical training and energy to every class.
Róisín has many years experience preparing students for performances, exams and competitions in both Ireland and New Zealand, many of the routines winning overall and placing.
Róisín thrives off a group of students who love expressing themselves through dance, having fun and ready to learn.
Róisín is really looking forward to meeting all the CBDA dancers!
