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Blanchette School of Irish Dance, LLC
Miriam Blanchette is currently the only TCRG certified instructor in Northern Nevada. Miriam and her siblings began traditional Irish step dance lessons at the age of five, with the urging of their Irish mother, and continued in competitions under the Kennelly School of Irish Dancing in San Francisco for many years. Competing in both the solo and team (ceili) levels, Miriam often placed among the top three in the state championships. Miriam has placed in numerous Western Regional Championships, North American Irish Dance Championships, competed in Canada and has qualified and danced at the World Championships in Ireland.
The Blanchette School of Irish Dance has grown from just a handful of students to over 60 in a few years. The school performs for local community events, and dancers have been offered wonderful opportunities, including a performance with the Chieftains. Dancers have performed with various bands (Chieftains, Gaelic Storm, Teada, Tempest, Wicked Tinkers, Molly's Revenge) since the school's inception in 1999.
Students from the Blanchette School of Irish Dance are able to participate in all NAFC registered feisanna, and have been competing since January 2005. The students have done very well, bringing home over 500 medals in their first year of competition, and sending dancers to the 2006 and 2007 North American Nationals.
Miriam has been teaching traditional Irish dance lessons in Carson City and Reno since 1999. She hopes that by teaching the proper technique of traditional and contemporary Irish Step Dancing, her students will learn to love and appreciate this style of dance for years to come.