Irish Dance is a sports club located in the City of Hume, with training locations in both Sunbury and North Melbourne. The club offers training in competitive and performance Irish dancing for individuals of all ages and abilities. Pacific Irish Dance aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where students can develop their skills, fitness, and passion for Irish dance.
The club's primary focus is on training dancers for competitive Irish dancing at state, national, and international levels. The training regimen at Pacific Irish Dance emphasises fitness, technique, strength, and instils self-directed competitive determination and hard work in all students. The club has a strong track record of success in competitions and continually encourages its dancers to strive for excellence.
Irish dance has its origins in Ireland and has retained many of its traditional characteristics. However, with the rise of performance Irish dance shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, as well as the growth of the competitive sport, Irish dance has evolved. Pacific Irish Dance recognises and celebrates the diversity of its dancers and the passion they share for Irish dance.
The club fosters a supportive community culture where dancers form lifelong friendships based on their shared training ethos and love for Irish dance. Regardless of individual goals or aspirations, Pacific Irish Dance ensures that fun, friendship, and support are at the heart of the training experience. Dancers not only have the opportunity to compete and perform but also to travel, experience unique performance opportunities, and share these adventures with their friends.
Outside of classes, competitions, and performances, the club organises events to celebrate the achievements and growth of the entire school together. The teachers at Pacific Irish Dance are professional and dedicated industry experts who provide valuable guidance and expertise to the students.
Pacific Irish Dance was founded in 2012 as 'Mayne Irish Dance' by Charmayne Dulley. Starting with just a few students in the backroom of her parent's home in Sunbury, the school quickly grew and relocated to a local Sunbury studio. Currently, the club is based at the Sunbury Specialist School. In 2012, Charmayne also started a class specifically for ex-competitive dancers, which later became known as Mayne Company.
This class performed at various dance industry events in Melbourne, laying the foundation for the school's performance resume. Jared Ellis, a lifelong friend of Charmayne, joined the school as an assistant teacher in the same year.
Pacific Irish Dance is committed to promoting the art and sport of Irish dancing in the City of Hume and providing a nurturing and enriching experience for all its members.