Where Laois takes the stage.
Safe, high-standard dance training in ballet, contemporary, hip hop and urban jazz, for ages 3 to adult. Annual performances, accredited exams and a stage that feels like home.
Not only a dance experience, but essential skills for dancers to develop and grow.
Global experience
Exclusive international dance residencies and performances at festivals in Dublin, Paris and Lisbon.
Expert instruction
Trained, certified dance professionals. University-qualified teachers who perform and choreograph, not just teach.
Annual performances
Every dancer gets their moment on stage in our yearly showcase at the theatre.
Accredited exams
Formal dance examinations that give your child recognised certification as they progress.
Find your class.
Sixteen classes a week across two venues: the Dance Laois studio at 4 Hynds Square, Portlaoise, and Killenard Community Centre. Filter by day, venue or your dancer's age, then register in two minutes.
No class matches that filter. Try another day, or ask us on WhatsApp and we'll find the right fit.
Simple, fair pricing. No surprises.
Annual registration
Once per student, per academic year. Your place is confirmed when it's paid.
Block fee (all classes)
The year runs in blocks of 6 teaching weeks, paid in advance.
Family & multi-class discount
€10 off an additional class, and €10 off for siblings.
How to register
- Fill in the registration form. It takes about two minutes.
- Pay the €30 registration fee by bank transfer to confirm your place.
- We confirm everything on WhatsApp, and you're on the class list!
The dates page also has the class uniform class by class and how the studio runs.
Every year ends under the lights.
A real company experience for young dancers.
- Weekly workshops creating original contemporary works to a high performance standard.
- Performances at Dublin Youth Dance Festival, Project Dance Paris and Lisbon Dance Platform.
- Senior Group (ages 14–19), Fridays 5–8pm.
- No experience required. You can ask for a trial class, and we come back to you about it.
Taught by people who live this.
Every class is led by a qualified professional who performs, choreographs and keeps learning, so your dancer learns from the real thing.
Erica Pessanha Borges
Principal and owner of the Academy, and artistic director of Laois Youth Dance Ensemble, Ohr Dance Company and Laois Dance Platform. Brazilian-born and based in Ireland, with over two decades in dance and her work focused on young dancers: training them, putting them on stage, and giving them somewhere ambitious to grow. Graduate Diploma in Dance with Honours (University of Limerick), Diploma in Dance (Inchicore College), ISTD Modern Dance certificate, Rambert Grades, and a diploma in arts management and production with Fórum Dança in Portugal.
Eve Kirby
Eve is a professional dancer and dance teacher based in Ireland. She began dancing at the age of six, training in Hip Hop, Jazz, Theatre Craft, Ballet, Lyrical and Contemporary, with a particular love for hip hop. She has competed in Hip Hop competitions and exams across Ireland and graduated with Honours in Advanced Dance Studies from dance college in Dublin, where she also gained her teaching qualifications. Eve has been with us for over four years and is excited for another year with the academy. She strives for a creative, nurturing and energetic environment where students can grow, learn and leave each class feeling proud of themselves.
Kate Lawler
Level 6 Dance graduate (Inchicore College), trained at the College of Dance, Dublin, now completing ISTD and RAD teaching qualifications. Former Ohr Dance Company member who performed at One Dance UK, Birmingham.
Mayara Pessanha
Started at this very academy in 2013 and danced with LYDE from 2015. Level 6 Dance graduate (Inchicore College), trained in dance theatre with Formação Olga Roriz (Portugal). Now dancing professionally with Companhia de Dança do Seixal, collaborating with artists such as Claudia Dias and John Scott.
Sheron Conkova
Sheron is in her second year of Dance Studies at Inchicore College, training in ballet, modern, tap and contemporary. She started dancing here at Laois Dance Academy and went on to join Laois Youth Dance Ensemble. She now dances with Ohr Dance Company and has performed at Laois Dance Platform, One Dance UK and the Irish Youth Dance Festival. A highlight was creating and performing her own solo, selected for the Wicklow Screen Festival 2026.
Join the team?
Many of our teachers began as students here. Train with us, grow with us, and maybe one day teach with us.
Dance for every occasion.
Dance in Schools
Waltz, hip hop and creative dance workshops for primary and secondary schools across Laois, shaped around your school's own plans.
Dance in Schools, the full picture →
Wedding Dance Lessons
Your first dance, choreographed around your song, or a full group number with the bridal party to light up the floor.
Wedding lessons, how it works →Say hello and we'll find the right class.
Dance Laois · 4 Hynds Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Open in Google Maps →Killenard Community Centre, Killenard, Co. Laois
Open in Google Maps →Put the Academy on your phone
Timetable, attendance, progress and fees, one tap from your home screen. It installs straight from this page in a few seconds, with no app store account to set up, and it keeps itself up to date.
Tap the button and your phone will ask to add it. That's the whole thing.
Your browser didn't offer it automatically. No bother, it's two taps:
- Tap the ⋮ menu, top right of the browser
- Choose Install app (or Add to Home screen)
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1. Open this page in Safari and tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen.
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2. Scroll down the list and tap Add to Home Screen.
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3. Tap Add. The Academy is now on your home screen, like any other app.