Breda keeps them dancing
A new part-time dancing studio has started up in Kilcullen Community Centre, catering for pupils from under-8s to adults, writes Brian Byrne. DanceTones Studio is operated by Breda Kelly-Lynch, and the Kilcullen operation is a series of classes on Saturdays from 10am.
Breda used to have a permanent studio in Newbridge, but let the lease go recently when it ended. "It's just not easy to make long term decisions at the moment," she says. "So for now we're renting in various different locations, including Kilcullen. I'm really excited to be here, because in Newbridge we had a lot of students from Kilcullen."
There are four sessions on the day, with Under-8s, Under-12s, Teens and Adults. On a Thursday she has similar sessions in Toughers of Naas. "It's very hard to get places at the moment — everybody is looking for venues and longer times with smaller numbers, because of the Covid restrictions. The Connolly Room is perfect, because we're restricting each class to 12 participants."
Three styles are being taught at each level — Ballroom, Latin and Hip-Hop. All participants have to register in advance, and each session is carried out with appropriate sanitisation and safe distance protocols. Breda has a number of assistants, including her daughter Shauna.
From Naas, Breda has been a dancer since she was a child. Dancing with her brother Ciaran, they won many national and international competitions. "We were basically everywhere, the UK, Italy, France, America, all over, in fact." Ciaran eventually set up a studio in the UK, and Breda established hers here in Kildare.
As she decided to wind down her Newbridge business recently, Ciaran coincidentally did the same in the UK and has just moved back to Ireland. "We're hoping, maybe next year, that we'll open a new place together."
Breda says there's been a big welcome for the localised classes, with the Covid situation actually providing an impetus to participation in dancing classes and other hobbies. "It's really all about mental health, especially for the children. Whatever they do, it's an opportunity to switch off from what's going on. It gives them a bit more vitality, more purpose to their days."
Pictured above are Shauna Lynch, her mother Breda Kelly-Lynch, and a young student Cassidy Myers; with assistants Mia O'Connor and Amy Murphy.
Keep on dancing, keep on dancing, 'cause dance is who I am ...
