Ventura Dance Classes

For 35 years only one place can be called The Ventura Dance School.   With tens of thousands of alumni, we are proud to be part of the seaside community of Ventura.  We have strived to do our part to add culture, raise great kids, and always bring the fun.

Please see below for our current schedule.  

Testimonials from our Friends;

     For over twenty years I was privileged to be a small part of the Claddagh School of Irish Dance.  I first met Maire O'Connell in 1988 at the Irish Dance Nationals in Oakland, California.  A charming and bright young dance teacher and mother of two sons Ross and Dara, Maire was interested in having a workshop for her dancing school in Ventura.  I was honored to be asked to share whatever knowledge I had but little did I know I was becoming a part of one of the most beautiful families one could ever ask to know.

     The Claddagh signifies love, loyalty and friendship and that is what I experienced during my time teaching and choreographing for Maire and with the Claddagh family.  From the earliest days teaching in Maire's garage to small  dance studios to larger facilities, a sense of family always was present.  Maire's love of team and solo dancing was matched by her love of Irish culture expressed through music, literature, art and language.  Her passion has always been to pass this on to every child and their parents and siblings.

     The Claddagh School has had success at every competitive level through intricate choreography both in solo and teams.  This led to Regional, National and World Champions.  The structure of the lessons can be demanding but has led to great achievements for dancers.  Many of these dancers, when filling in college applications can cite world champion competitive status as well as the many hours of volunteer performances at nursing homes and in fundraising efforts for the needy.       

     While structure is always a part of success and the Claddagh school has had many years of competitive success at every level, part of the structure for Claddagh has always been comradery. This has helped forge lifelong friendships and experiences through travel which, in turn, helped so many young people grow and know themselves, others and the world around them.

     Maire's sons are like brothers to me and watching them grow up, get married and now succeed as parents has been a blessing in my life but there is no greater blessing than a true friend.  And in my life Maire has always been that.  Love, loyalty and friendship.          

-Brian Grant