North Star School of Irish Dance

Founded in 2009, the mission of North Star Irish Dance is to expand the availability of Irish step dance instruction to dancers who are not interested in competition and to dancers who may need customized instruction. In 2016, NSID opened in the Main Street School of Perfomring Arts in Hopkins, Minnesota and is staying with the school in their move to Eden Prairie. NSID is also a part of the top-o

f-the-line offerings at Division Street Dance in Northfield where the Irish dancers have participated in Winter Walk and festivities for St. NSID's vision is "fostering tradition and connecting to community." While staying true to the long tradition of Irish dancing in America, NSID also emphasizes a connection to community with regular performances at retirement homes, day cares, and local festivals. We also volunteer at least twice a year in a non-dance setting. For the past 3 years, we have volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. Originally from Athens, Georgia, Beth began dancing after returning home from living in Scotland. She initially was looking for Scottish dancing but stumbled on Irish ceili dancing and the rest.... Beth began competing as an adult with the Drake School of Irish Dance (Mary Brannick Ujda, TCRG) and then, after moving to Minnesota, eventually settled in at O'Shea Irish Dance where she still attends classes to improve her own dance skills (never stop learning!). When Beth isn't teaching Irish dance, she works as a mental health therapist at the Autism Society of Minnesota.