This September, Maple Grove welcomes its first all-Irish dance studio. Rince Nua Irish Dance will open its doors on Monday, Sept. 10, with studio director Erin Cooney, ODCRN, teaching classes for students aged three through adults. Rince Nua offers traditional Irish dance instruction for students at all levels, focusing on the well being of every dancer. The studio will host an Open House for interested dancers on Thursday, Sept. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Rince Nua is home to Team Rince Nua, a group of 25 accomplished Irish dancers who are already known in the Maple Grove area for their lively performances. Maple Grove residents have watched Team Rince Nua at Malone’s Bar and Grill, the Maple Grove Town Green, Arbor Lakes Shopping Center, and the Maple Grove Senior Center. Additionally, Team Rince Nua performs annually at the Minnesota Irish Fair and the Landmark Center’s “Day of Irish Dance” St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
When they aren’t performing locally, Team Rince Nua dancers are often preparing for competitions. Cooney’s students are a fixture at CRN-sanctioned competitions, known as feisanna (fesh-ana), and they have received top marks at national and international competitions.
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Ms. Cooney has taught Irish dance in Maple Grove since 2007, and she is looking forward to having her own studio where traditional Irish dance will be the sole focus. In 2009, she became a fully certified Irish dance teacher through CRN, one of Ireland’s best-known traditional dance associations. The certification process took several years, and required two sets of comprehensive exams. As a result, Cooney is able to teach a complete Irish dance curriculum for skill levels from beginner through champion. Rince Nua is Minnesota’s only CRN-certified Irish dance school.
Rince Nua is located at 10701 93rd Ave. North, Suite D. Registration for fall classes is now open. More information is available at www.rincenua.com.
