Southwest Florida's Premier Performance and Competitive Irish Dance School
A certified member of An Chomhdháil
About Our School
Our Story
The Irish sisters, Catherine and Claire Gorman grew up in Southwest Florida. They began dancing at the ages of 7 and 5 and have competed throughout Florida and the nation. Both Claire and Catherine are champion dancers who have placed in various levels of competition, including the Southern Region Oireachtas. The sisters have studied throughout the nation including Miami and Detroit. They have also studied under the instruction of Riverdance performer, Colin Dunne. The Gormans have been performing in the area for over 3 years and have opened for nationally recognized performers such as Andy Cooney, Hal Roach, and Dana. With over 25 years of dancing experience, the sisters opened the Celtic Spirit School of Irish Dance in 2009. In 2015, Celtic Spirit was invited to perform for the Lord Mayor of Cork in Cork, Ireland. Over 75 members of the Celtic Spirit family, including familial generations, traveled "across the pond" to perform throughout Ireland, for the Lord Mayor, and in the Cork St. Patrick's Day Parade. Catherine and Claire are specialized choreographers and all of the intricate steps and shows are exclusive. They believe in a school rooted in teamwork and Celtic "spirit" that shares a welcoming and fun classroom to foster "one sound, one family, one Celtic Spirit!"
Welcome to the Celtic Spirit School of Irish Dance
Why Celtic Spirit
Celtic Spirit Classes
Celtic Spirit Classes
We have a saying in our dance classes: “One sound, one family, one Celtic Spirit.” Celtic Spirit truly is a family of dancers. Our goal it to create a community of students who support one another and rejoice in each others’ successes. Celtic Spirit is a team and family promoting the Irish culture through our love of dance. Dancers are welcome to come to class for exercise or for the goals of performance and/or competition. All dancers are treated with respect and engage in teamwork. Please contact us for more information.
Celtic Spirit Classes
Celtic Spirit Classes
Celtic Spirit Classes
Our experienced instructors teach a variety of dance levels. Whether you're a beginner or advanced dancer, we have a class for you! We believe in allowing our dance families to decide what's best for their family! Dancers are welcome to perform, compete, both, or neither! Come to class and have fun! Contact us to learn more!
Performance Dance
Celtic Spirit Classes
Performance Dance
Celtic Spirit has been a staple of Irish Dance performance in Southwest Florida for over fifteen years. Its founders, the Gorman sisters, have been performing in Southwest Florida for over 25 years. In fact, Celtic Spirit was scouted in the Naples St. Patrick's Day Parade and invited to perform for the Lord Mayor of Cork in Ireland in 2015.
Celtic Spirit offers public and private, professionally choreographed performances. We perform at various venues. The Celtic Spirit School of Irish dance has performed through invitation for NASCAR, the Mighty Mussels, and Disney World. The Celtic Spirit logo, steps, and shows are all proprietary. Please inquire for bookings.
Competitive Dance
Meet our Student Instructor
Performance Dance
Celtic Spirit is a certified dance school with a TCRG instructor. Celtic Spirit is a member of Comhdháil na Múinteoirí le Rincí Gaelacha Teoranta, is otherwise known as An Chomhdháil - The Congress of Irish Dance Teachers. Our dancers are welcome to compete in feisianna and have placed in every feis in which Celtic Spirit has ever competed, even sweeping categories.
Meet our Student Instructor
Meet our Student Instructor
Meet our Student Instructor
Alexis is a SWFL native and graduate of Lely High School. She has been dancing with Celtic Spirit since she was 7 years old. Alexis is a World Qualifying Irish Dancer, after qualifying for Irish Dance World Championships in 2020. She is a talented dancer and instructor who loves performing dance!
About Irish Dance
Meet our Student Instructor
Meet our Student Instructor
Irish step dance is showcased at competitions entitled feis (“fesh”). Feisianna began in the 9th century with local gatherings to display music, art, and dancing. Irish Dancing took a modern turn in the 18th century when “Dance Masters” began teaching elaborate step dances. Today, Irish Step Dancing is a form of dance that has been passed down from generations to generations .
Irish Dance combines soft shoe and hard shoe steps and techniques that provide a fun, and a great way to exercise and experience this unique style of dance. Irish Dancing teaches discipline, form, rhythm, stamina, endurance, and physical technique. Students gain confidence and ability as they have fun learning this exciting cultural dance.