About Our Director

 The Kildare Academy of Irish Step Dance was founded by award winning Irish dancer Nicole Dimone T.C.R.G. At the young age of 6, Nicole was introduced to the world of Irish Dance by her grandmother, who instilled in her the love and appreciation for all things Irish. Nicole began her journey at the Inishfree School of Irish Dance, under the instruction of Neil and Sean Reagan. Nicole had the opportunity to attend several workshops given by Anthony Costello, a noted teacher and adjudicator from Limerick, Ireland. She then continued her dancing career at the Mulvihill Lynch School of Irish Dance.

  Nicole has had a long competitive career dancing Regionally, Nationally and Internationally at the World Championships in Ireland. Nicole excelled in all competitions consistently ranking among the top 3 dancers in her age group at the MID-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas and top 10 at the North American Championships. Eager to share her enthusiasm and love of Irish dance, Nicole traveled to Ireland, where she took the T.C.R.G. exam to become a certified instructor. In 2006 Nicole received her T.C.R.G. from the An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland and opened the Kildare Academy. Nicole is also a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America as well as the Mid-Atlantic Irish Dance Teachers Association. Nicole is committed to helping the community and has performed for charities, nursing homes, hospitals and local schools.

About Kildare Academy

The Kildare Academy of Irish dance provides instruction for those who are interested in dancing just for fun as well as those interested in dancing competitively. The Kildare Academy has four locations in Suffolk County Long Island. We are located in Bay Shore/Brightwaters, Middle Island, Center Moriches and the Hamptons. All of our locations are equipped with professional dance floors, full length mirrors, ballet bars and parent waiting/viewing areas. Our school provides instruction for boys and girls ages 3 and up who want learn tradition Irish dance. We teach all areas of Irish dance including soft-shoe, hard shoe, solo and ceili  (group dancing). We also provide advance instruction for those who are interested in competing at local feiseanna (Irish dance competition) Regional, National and International competitions.

Our Irish Roots

 The Academy is named after the beautiful county Kildare in Ireland. Nicole first visited Kildare while competing at the World Championship's. Since then she has made many trips back to Kildare to reconnect with her family and Irish roots.

 County Kildare is located in the province of Leinster and is known as the “Greater Dublin Area”. Kildare (pronounced Cill Dara) is derived from Cell Dara in Old Irish meaning “Church of Oak”. County Kildare is the home St. Brigid, one of the three patron Saints of Ireland.