Walpole

Harney Pender Keady - Walpole

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Harney Pender Keady - Walpole

HISTORY
The Harney Academy of Irish Dancing was founded in 1990 by Liam Harney, a two-time World Champion and accredited teacher and adjudicator with the An Coimisiun Le Rince Gaelacha in Ireland. For over 15 years, our academy has provided students and parents with the opportunity to experience the rich traditions and heritage of Irish dance and music.

LOCATION
With over 4000 sq. feet and a facility on Main St. in downtown Walpole, MA, the Harney Academy offers weekly Irish dance classes for boys and girls ages four and up including adults. Here, students are introduced to a wonderful curriculum of soft shoe, hard shoe and figure dances as well as traditional Ceili and Set pieces.

EVENTS
Throughout the school year, students are encouraged to participate in our pep rallies, fundraisers, holiday shows and year-end recitals. These fun group activities promote a wonderful sense of camaraderie and school spirit among our students. Once could say we work hard and celebrate often. Fact filled newsletters are even distributed monthly to keep students and parents up to date and informed on upcoming events, Academy results, and helpful school hints.

COMPETITION
Students have the opportunity to attend local and state step dancing competitions and, if qualified, are given opportunities to attend Regional, National, and World competitions. During the summer months, performing arts workshops and step dancing classes are offered to maintain skills developed during the school year. Our ties to both the local and Irish communities also afford students the opportunity to perform in and around Massachusetts.

Thanks again for taking the time to visit our site and we encourage you to check out other sections to learn more about our school. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us with any questions via email or by phone.

The Harney Staff

Our Approach

PHILOSOPHY
Core to our teaching philosophy at the Academy is fostering an environment of "Continuous Learning". We strongly feel that if each student is given a steady diet of feedback and encouragement, they can realize their potential. Our goal is to not only teach a respect and appreciation for the Irish culture, but to encourage each student to embrace their personal growth and development. Through and effective combination of core teaching values and a well balanced class offering, we help students realize and exceed their goals.

RELATIONSHIPS
Our relationship with students and parents begins by establishing a partnership. We believe that learning is truly a collaborative effort and have developed our logo to capture the essence of what we value as teachers and what we expect from our students.

Each day, our three faces remind us and reinforce the values in strength, endurance and wisdom

FUSION
Laying a solid foundation is a key ingredient to an Irish Dancer's success as a performer and competitor. Therefore, our priority has always been to promote and train the fundamentals. However, in addition, each student at the academy is offered a unique blend of alternative performing arts to improve one's Irish stepdancing performance and style. We call this "FUSION". By fusing together jazz and dramatic elements with a strong stepdancing discipline, a student's on-stage confidence and presence is enhanced.
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