Founded in Lexington in 2015, the Bluegrass Ceili Academy brings more than a decade of Irish dance teaching experience and ceili expertise to Central Kentucky. Academy director and native Lexingtonian Megan Moloney studied Irish dance for nearly 20 years in the Washington, D.C., area; began teaching adult students and teams more than a decade ago; and achieved certification with the Irish dancing commission in 2010. The competitive Irish dance teams Megan coached have won 23 regional championship ceili titles between 2004 and 2015, and, in 2009, won the North American national championship.

In addition to teaching and competing, Megan has danced — and had her choreography performed — across the nation’s capital, including at the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, the Annapolis Irish Festival and Shamrockfest. Megan was also a dancer with the New Century American Irish Arts Company and her favorite performances include dancing onstage with the bands Carbon Leaf and Scythian. Now in Kentucky, Megan and the Bluegrass Ceili Academy dancers have performed at the Lexington St. Patrick’s Festival, the DiverCity Festival, the Kentucky Renaissance Festival and the Central Kentucky Celtic Festival, as well as onstage with Gaelic Storm.

Megan is an active member of the Lexington community and serves on the board of directors as the president of the Bluegrass Irish Society and chair of the Lexington St. Patrick’s Parade. She has also served on the board of directors for OperaLex and is a member of the advisory group for the Women’s Heart Health Program for the U.K. Gill Heart Institute.

Bluegrass Ceili Academy is certified under An Coimisuin le Rinci Gaelacha, the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America and is a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America Southern Region. LexArts has provided funding support for Bluegrass Ceili Academy through its Fund for the Arts.

More than just a dance school

Perspective. Experience. Community. Mission. It’s what matters. It’s how we strive to teach our students teamwork, self-confidence, adaptability and graciousness.

It’s the way we look at things, the experience and legacy we bring to the classroom, it’s building and giving back to our community, and living our mission by providing a supportive learning environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels.

Find out more about our Lexington Irish dance school by connecting with us online at bluegrassceili.com.

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