Welcome to Dwan Academy
Performing Arts Academy
Thurles, Co. Tipperary
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An innovative, independent performing arts school offering equal opportunities to the complete beginner right through to the avid performer.
Whether performing is a pastime or a passion we encourage students to develop at their own pace and we offer performance opportunities for students every year.
Taking great pride in the social development of our students, we bring people together in a vibrant and exciting community to explore the magical world of theatre and performing arts. No matter how large or small the goal, we will encourage students to surpass even their own expectations.
Term Dates
2023- 2024
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Term 1 - 4th Sept - 28th Oct (mid term 30th Oct - 6th Nov)
Term 2 - 6th Nov - 20th Jan (Xmas 17th Dec - 7th Jan)
Term 3 - 22nd Jan - 23rd Mar (mid term 19th - 25th Feb)
Term 4 - 8th Apr - 1st June
Theatre School
A combination of classes in drama, singing and dance for children aged 4 - 18 to get together in a supportive, fun and creative environment.
We take children on a journey from learning techniques, through rehearsals, to a final end of year performance and while performing is our main focus, we aim to build confidence as well as develop skills in the art of theatre.
Drama
Through role-play and improvisation young children get to stretch their imagination, experimenting with words and feelings. By interacting with others they learn vital social skills and can help improve their vocabulary and communication skills.
Singing
We introduce pupils to different rhythms and tempos in music allowing them to challenge themselves with a wide range of songs while improving technique and vocal ability. Working in groups pupils learn harmonies while solo singing will equip the young performers with the confidence and skill to find the meaning of the song and portray characters with ease.
Dance
Working in groups the children learn fun and contemporary routines. We show them how to warm up their bodies to avoid injury and teach them routines in many different styles of dance.
CLASS INFORMATION
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Classes run on a Saturday morning and are divided by school year.
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10:00 - 11:00 Bluebells - Junior & Senior Infants - €90 per term
11:15 - 12:30 Juniors - 1st to 3rd class - €95 per term​
12:30 - 14:30 Inters - 4th & 5th class - €100 per term
12:30 - 14:30 Transitions - 6th class & 1st year - €100 per term
12:30 - 14:30 Seniors - Secondary school - €100 per term
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FEES
Fees are payable in advance of each term. We offer discounts for siblings.
We only take online payments. Parents will be invoiced after booking a class. Fees must be paid before term commences.
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UNIFORM
Our uniform is a black t-shirt and hoodie with our logo available from Bourke Sports. We also require a pair of black jazz shoes, available from any dance shop, and a pair of plain black leggings.
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Boys Musical Theatre class
No girls allowed!!
This boys only class will incorporate all three elements of musical theatre, singing, dancing and drama. It is for boys from 1st class to 3rd year who would rather not do their class with a bunch of girls!!
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Saturday:
Juniors (1st-3rd class) 14:45-15:45
Intermediates (4th-6th class) 15:45-16:45
Seniors (1st-3rd year) 16:45-17:45
Fees: €90 per term
Uniform: Dwan Academy hoodie and T-shirt, available from Bourke Sports, black tracksuit bottoms and trainers
Ballet classes
At Dwan Academy, we offer a warm and friendly atmosphere while providing quality ballet training for all levels and abilities in a fun, caring and nurturing environment.
Our classes are taught through the IDTA syllabus and include ballet technique, repertoire, and character dance.
Class Schedule
Classes run on a Wednesday afternoon and are divided by school year.
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15:45 - 16:15 New Buds- New Jnr Infants - €55 per term
16:30 - 17:15 Daisies - Jnr & Snr Infants - €70 per term
17:15 - 18:00 Poppies - 1st to 3rd Class - €70 per term
18:00 - 19:00 Roses - 4th Class and up - €90 per term
19:00 - 20:00 Lillies - Advanced - €90 per term
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Class places are limited, so booking is essential. Email us through the link below to book your place!
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Class information
FEES
Fees are payable per term. We offer discounts for siblings.
We only take online payments. Parents will be invoiced after booking a class. Fees must be paid before term commences.
UNIFORMS
Our uniform is a Kingfisher blue leotard and skirt with pink tights and pink ballet shoes. A blue cardigan can also be purchased. You can order these through Helen's Kidswear, or online through Studio Dancewear
Drama Classes
Group Drama classes exploring character, voice projection and ensemble acting through games and script work
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Tuesdays
Junior Drama 17:30 - 18:30 1st-3rd class
Intermediate Drama 18:30 - 19:30 4th-6th class
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Fees: €90 per term.
Discount available for siblings. Fees must be paid before the start of term.
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Uniform: Dwan Academy hoodie and T-shirt, available from Bourke Sports, black tracksuit bottoms and trainers
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Hip Hop Classes
High energy lessons based on fun, fitness and attitude.
Hip hop dancing combines an impressive footwork and unique movement to the beat of the music. From freezes to locking and popping, hip hop dancing will release your inner rhythm. The best part is learning how to express your individuality once you learn the basics.
Class schedule
Classes run on a Thursday afternoon and are divided by school year.
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16:00 - 16:50 Tigers ~ 1st to 3rd class ~ €70 per term
17:00 - 18:00 Jaguars ~ 4th to 6th class ~ €90 per term
18:00 - 19:00 Panthers ~ Secondary school ~ €90 per term
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Class places are limited due to the current situation. Booking is essential. Email us on the link below to book your place!
Class information
FEES
Fees are payable per term. We offer discounts for siblings.
We only take online payments. Parents will be invoiced after booking a class. Fees must be paid before term commences.
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UNIFORM
Our uniform is a black t-shirt and hoodie with our logo available through Bourke Sports. We also require a pair of trainers, and a pair of plain black leggings or tracksuit bottoms.
Creative Play
A drama and play class for children with additional needs
Tuesdays
Primary School - 16:00 - 17:00
Cost
€90 per term
4 terms in a year
What we do
Story-telling
Mime
Puppetry
Improvisation
Song & Dance
Play
Uniform
None! Come in whatever makes you as comfortable as possible!
Animation
New Class!!
Craft characters, and create worlds. Bring to life your imagination frame by frame.
Learn the art of animation, from sketching, to painting, to model making
Wednesdays 4-5pm
7-12 year olds
€90 per term
Singing Lessons
Monday, Thursday & Saturday afternoons
Private Lessons
Build technique, repertoire and confidence with private lessons
Exams
Choose from RIAM, ABRSM, Trinity or Irish Board of Speech and Drama Syllabi. Or you can choose not to enter exams and work towards a recital
Fees
Lessons are €150 per term
Learn for fun!
If the thought of an exam or recital scares you then come and learn for fun. Build your confidence in your singing voice and learn a wide repertoire of songs
Speech & Drama
Wednesday & Thursday evenings
Private Lessons
Build confidence in communication skills with private lessons for all ages and abilities.
Exams
We use the very flexible Irish Board of Speech and Drama syllabus as a basis for the lessons. Exams can be entered twice a year.
Fees
Lessons are €150 per term
Drums
Come and be a rock star!
We offer drum lessons for all ages and stages.
Learn to rock out to all your favourite songs, how to read drum score, and how to create a different rhythm with each hand and foot.
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Friday afternoons
€150 per term
Beginner Guitar & Ukelele Lessons
Mondays and Tuesdays
Learn chord patterns and strumming technique to your favourite songs
Groups
Max of 4 per lesson
Price
€75 per term
Lessons
Half hour slots
Bass Guitar Lessons
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Be the coolest band member!
Learn the Bass!
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Learn rocking riffs, and rolling rhythms. From Funk to Soul all musical tastes are covered.​
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Spaces for avid enthusiasts and enthusiastic beginners.
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Friday afternoons
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€150 per term
Piano Lessons
"Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination…"
Music lessons with skilled teachers can increase confidence and furnish you with a life interest, as well as giving an appreciation of one of education’s most rich and rewarding disciplines.
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We offer one to one piano lessons, and cater for all ages and abilities.
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday evenings. €150 per term.
Term 4 starts 13th March
Learning an instrument is far more than just a hobby; it’s a new talent that develops confidence, charisma and personal expression. As a parent, encouraging your child to learn music will open them to an entirely new world of rich, fulfilling experiences.
If you’re an adult learner, you can give yourself a new opportunity like taking up those piano lessons you’ve always wanted. It is never too late to learn and appreciate music: we provide a chance to learn a new skill and enhance your music theory knowledge or just indulge in your favourite relaxing past time.
Exams can help give focus to the lessons and a great sense of achievement, but are not mandatory.
Flute Lessons
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
Build repertoire and technique while exploring the beautiful melodies written for this woodwind instrument;
Fees & Exams
€150 per term
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Exams provided throught the RIAM syllabus
FAQ
Do classes run in the summer?
Dwan Academy follows the school year. The final term finishes at the end of May.
Does my child need to bring anything to class?
For one to one lessons and drama classes students should bring a folder.
For our dance classes they need to bring their shoes in a labelled bag and a labelled bottle of water.
We ask that they do not bring any personal items with them.
Tell me about the performance opportunities
Our stage school does one big production at the end of every second year, as well as the Hallowe'en Fest, the Cathedral Carol Service, and the St. Patricks Day Parade every year.
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Our Ballet, Hip Hop, Drama, & Boys classes host an ever growing concert at the end of every other year. They also take part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade
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Our singing, speech and drama, piano, bass, drums, flute and guitar students will have several recitals during the year.
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We write all our own shows ensuring that the content is age appropriate and everybody gets their chance to shine. All classes operate on a group basis ensuring the learn the art of the chorus before they get parts.
How will my child develop?
Every student will develop their skills at a different pace. We at Dwan Academy are committed to each child getting the most they can out of their classes, and our overall aim is building confidence and having fun.
What should my child wear to class?
We have a uniform because it means we can better identify alignment & posture, to be better able to ensure the safety of the children, and so that our work can look clean and polished.
Each class has a uniform. Please see the relevant section of the website. Shoes are the most important part of each uniform so please ensure you have the correct shoes for each class.
You can wait a week or two to see if your child enjoys the class and wants to stay before ordering the uniform.
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What will my child be doing every week?
Our group classes will begin with a warm up, learn some exercises and work on repertoire for the next performance or exam.
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Our one to one lessons will follow a similar pattern but will provide individualised feedback
When will my child move up to the next class?
Students will usually spend three years in each group. Teachers may decide to move them up earlier, or choose to keep them a year longer. This is to ensure the students are getting the most they can out of the classes and that they are developing at their own pace.
What's your policy on child protection?
Dwan Academy is committed to protecting all of the young people in our care. A copy of our Child Protection Policy Guidelines is available on request to all parents. Please email us if you wish to obtain a copy.
Photographs taken within the school are done so in a controlled environment by professionals. These photographs are only used for PR purposes for our website, our facebook page and for publication in local newspapers. If you do not wish your child to feature in photographs please contact us.
Do you offer a trial class?
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No we do not. But our terms are short, only 8 weeks. We fully believe a student should try the class for at least that length of time before deciding if they do or don't like it
Can you tell me more about exams?
Exams are an option for most of our classes, except Hip Hop. They are not mandatory.
The stage school, and drama classes operate group exams. Speech and Drama, Music, and Ballet facilitate individual exams.
Why are you more expensive than the other groups?
At Dwan Academy all our staff are professionally trained and are constantly upskilling. We have our own studios designed with all our classes in mind.
There are no hidden charges after fees are paid. All costumes, extra rehearsal and show costs are included. Group exam fees are included. The only extra cost is the ticket for our end of year show and individual exam fees.
My child wants to do the stage school but but doesn't want to do singing
Studying Musical Theatre involves training to become a triple threat, being equally confident at singing, dancing and acting. Being able to adapt to all three will make you a better performer. From dancing you will get strength, poise and rhythm, from acting you will get character building, adaptability and the ability to speak in public, and from singing you will get musicality, ability to work in a group and confidence in your voice. All three disciplines are intertwined and make for a better all round performer.
Everything in our classes is done as a group until reaching the senior class meaning that no-one is put under pressure, or singled out until they are ready.
My child is really shy
No problem! All our staff are well equipped to integrate even the most shy of children into our classes. We operate a buddy up system, either with an older student or with a fellow newbie to help our newer students be more comfortable with their new experience.
Get in touch
We would love to welcome you to one of our many fun classes. If you have any questions, please just ask! Complete the short form and we'll be in touch asap. Alternatively if you prefer to chat then please call Therese on 085 1654 854
Staff
Therese Maher
Taking over from Pauline Dwan, Therese has been running the school since 2010. She holds a BA in Music, a postgrad in Stage Management, and MFA in Performance and is currently in her third year of a PhD Drama and Theatre programme at Mary Immaculate College. As well as directing and choreographing musicals around the country she works as a peripatetic music teacher.
She is also the co Artistic Director of Limelight Theatricals a youth musical theatre group.
Her passion is working with young children and teenagers and guiding them through the process of creating a show, from the on stage performances to the back stage creative and technical aspects.
Muireann Slattery
Muireann has been on stage and involved in musicals since the age of 4 with various different drama groups and musical societies most recent being Tipperary Musical Society and The Excel Youth Theatre Group.
Muireann also has many years of dance experience with Brigid Whelan School of Irish Dance and On Your Toes Dance Academy.
She recently graduated with a degree in Performing Arts in the University of Limerick.
She was the chorus mistress for Limelight Theatres debut production of ‘Fame’.
Muireann currently teaches singing in the stage school and gives private singing lessons for Dwan Academy, and with Montforts College of Performing Arts in Cork.
Cerys Loughnane
Cerys is a graduate from the Dance course in Colaiste Stiofain Naofa in Cork. She has worked around Ireland teaching dance and working on musicals in various schools for the last 6 years. She was also involved in the Limetree Theatre’s first pantomime production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and will take to the stage with them again this year.
Emily Matthews
Emily graduated with honours with a degree in Drama from Wolverhampton in 2016. Since graduating she has been working professionally in theatre. With over 10 years teaching experience, she works with all ages and abilities.
Emily is currently the driving force behind our Creative Play Programme, which is aimed at special needs adults and children.
Jennifer Ryan Kelly
Jennifer teaches drama in our Stage School, our one-to-one Speech and Drama classes, and our newly added Animation classes. She also works on our social media as a content creator.
Jennifer graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design with a BA (Hons) in Animation and Motion Design.
She then went on to train in drama facilitation with Youth Theatre Ireland and works as a drama facilitator for Fracture Youth Theatre in Thurles.
When Jennifer is not doing drama, she works on graphic designs and animation commissions from home
Emma Browne
Emma began her full-time professional ballet training in the Vaganova style. At 15 she was invited to train in St. Petersburg, Russia. She continued her training with Brussels International Ballet School. Having attended English National Ballet summer intensives, she has performed many times on stage and at corporate events. Her most notable performance was as Clara from The Nutcracker with the RTE Concert Orchestra on RTE television. In 2022 she gave several performances in Swan Lake across Belgium. Emma has experience teaching advanced ballet students, teens, adults and complete beginners. She is registered with the Association of Russian Ballet and Theatre Arts (ARBTA) and is a fully Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) Certified Teacher. Emma is also a photographic model for Prima Chroma Photography.
Danielle Martin
Danielle works as a Special Education Teacher in a Special Needs school. Prior to this she worked in Arts and Theatre as a facilitator and as a make-up artist for stage. In 2015 she qualified from NUIM as a Youth Arts Practitioner. She has previously worked with Wonderland Theatre Productions as an Education Producer and as a singing teacher for Dwan Academy.
In 2016 Danielle co founded Thurles Community Panto Society, for which she is chairperson and producer. She has also choreographed many shows for the society. Danielle has been involved in many stage productions over the years, playing roles such as Gigi in Miss Saigon, Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and Fantine in Les Miserables. Danielle is also the lead singer of Thurles band Mister Wells.
Aoife Hennessey
Aoife earned a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary and Applied Theatre Studies in 2022 from Mary Immaculate College Limerick, and since then has been performing in Bunratty and Knappogue castles.
She has qualifications in Classical Singing, and Music Theory and achieved her DiplomaLCM in Musical Theatre Singing with ABRSM. Aoife also her certificates in Communication and Speaking Verse and Prose. She is experienced in teaching all ages.
Eoin Ryan
An experienced guitar player, Eoin is the front man for Seskin Lane, a Thurles based band who have played such gigs as Electric Picnic and Féile. The band hosts a yearly gig in The Source Arts Centre, encouraging other young local acts to partake, and promoting the local music scene. Eoin was previously a member of the band The Rumours, who released several singles.
As well as playing the guitar since he was fifteen, he also plays mandolin, banjo and tin whistle. Eoin has a great love of traditional music and often joins the sessions at the infamous Jim of the Mills. He has been teaching for a number years, and has a great passion for passing on his skills and encouraging musicality and the enjoyment of playing.
Sinead Crone
Sinead is a primary school teacher graduated from St Patricks College, Dublin. Having taught in several schools across Dublin and Tipperary, she returned home and is currently teaching in Thurles. Sinead can play piano, violin, guitar and tin whistle. She is most passionate about the piano which she started learning at the age of 8. She completed her Senior Certificate in Piano in 2014, and has been teaching privately for several years.
Maria McGrann
Soprano Maria is a trained opera singer who has performed on international stages and in opera houses and theatres throughout Ireland. She obtained a Masters in Music (QUB) and a Performance Recital Dip (RIAM). She has worked with Irish National Opera, Northern Ireland Opera, Wexford Festival Opera, British Youth Opera, Buxton Festival & Opera in the Open. She has competed nationally with huge success, performed on live BBC broadcasts with orchestra and was invited to sing as guest soloist for HRH The King. Maria loves teaching piano, flute and voice in all genres, and focuses on fun lessons completely centred on technique, stage skills and enjoyment.
James O'Meara Ryan
James is a crossover Irish musician from Thurles. Having originally started his musical career on the Electric Guitar, he moved to acoustic and Roots/Crossover genres. An avid traditional player he won the Bank of Ireland Student of the Year award 2013 – for services to Music in Secondary school and was also awarded the North Tipperary VEC award in Music.
James is lead guitarist and vocalist for Strings and Things, a contemporary Irish Trad / Folk/ Roots crossover band playing Irish songs, airs and traditional pieces presented in a contemporary style.
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Eoin Salmon
Eoin has been playing bass for 11 years and joined his first band at the age of 16 before he knew how to play the bass. He came to Thurles, all the way from County Galway, where he plays music with the traditional Irish folk band Strings & Things all over the country.
Anthony Cogan
Anthony is a freelance drum tutor who began playing the drums over 20 years ago and has
several years of performance and teaching experience.
He holds a Grade 8 on the drum kit and a BE in Biomedical Engineering from the University
of Limerick.
Music - and in particular percussion - is a great passion of his, as well as playing the piano
and imparting his knowledge and skill set to the developing and aspiring drummers of the
future.
