The Gra na Rince School of Irish Dancing was founded in March 2014 by Louise Stanley, TCRG who has more than 25 years of experience in Irish dancing and teaches every class.
We take our name, pronounced graw na rinka, from the Irish language - it translates as 'love the dance' and is also the school's motto. Our supportive and inclusive environment allows dancers of all ages and abilities to grow their love for this dynamic dance form - alongside having fun, building friendships, and improving fitness.
Gra na Rince is registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (the Irish Dancing Commission) in Dublin, which is the oldest and largest Irish dance governing body in the world. Membership allows our dancers to compete locally, nationally and internationally, as well as to take their grade examinations. However, these aren't compulsory - many of our dancers take part purely for the love of the dance.
Irish dance is an energetic and varied dance form, with opportunities to perform athletic and intricate moves in light shoe as well as master rhythm and timing in hard shoe. It teaches a huge variety of life skills - from balance, muscle control, stamina and strength to teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship and dedication. And of course, it's beautiful and inspiring to watch.
Louise is the only qualified and registered teacher of Irish dance in Redditch, Worcestershire, and also offers classes in south Birmingham. She, and any guest instructors, are fully insured and DBS checked.
We take our name, pronounced graw na rinka, from the Irish language - it translates as 'love the dance' and is also the school's motto. Our supportive and inclusive environment allows dancers of all ages and abilities to grow their love for this dynamic dance form - alongside having fun, building friendships, and improving fitness.
Gra na Rince is registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (the Irish Dancing Commission) in Dublin, which is the oldest and largest Irish dance governing body in the world. Membership allows our dancers to compete locally, nationally and internationally, as well as to take their grade examinations. However, these aren't compulsory - many of our dancers take part purely for the love of the dance.
Irish dance is an energetic and varied dance form, with opportunities to perform athletic and intricate moves in light shoe as well as master rhythm and timing in hard shoe. It teaches a huge variety of life skills - from balance, muscle control, stamina and strength to teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship and dedication. And of course, it's beautiful and inspiring to watch.
Louise is the only qualified and registered teacher of Irish dance in Redditch, Worcestershire, and also offers classes in south Birmingham. She, and any guest instructors, are fully insured and DBS checked.
Additional qualifications
In February 2022, Louise was awarded the additional qualification of MSc Dance Science with Distinction, from the University of Wolverhampton, studying with pioneers of dance science including Professor Matt Wyon, Professor Yiannis Koutedakis (who has worked with Riverdance) and 'The Dance Psychologist' Dr Lucie Clements.
This qualification enables Louise to deliver evidence-based dance and performance training techniques, centred on the dance student as an individual. As part of the course, Louise has studied applied physiology, performance psychology, strength and conditioning for dancers, dance nutrition, and biomechanics. All training in the school is delivered using methods supported by current research and continually updated, to ensure a healthy body and mind within all of our dancers.
This qualification enables Louise to deliver evidence-based dance and performance training techniques, centred on the dance student as an individual. As part of the course, Louise has studied applied physiology, performance psychology, strength and conditioning for dancers, dance nutrition, and biomechanics. All training in the school is delivered using methods supported by current research and continually updated, to ensure a healthy body and mind within all of our dancers.
University of Wolverhampton staff are among the very few experts in dance science worldwide, and have introduced the concept of the 'fit and healthy' dancer to complement traditional and well-established methods of dance training, providing a unique insight into the physical and psychological stresses to which a dancer is exposed."