Home

Students

History

Blackbird Academy has been instructing students in the art of Irish dance since 1995. Five teachers, Mary (Hughes) McQuillan, Eileen O’Neill, TCRG, Una (Hughes) Provenzano, TCRG, Stephanie Hughes, and Kate McNamara instruct over one hundred fifty students in several locations in the south suburbs of Chicago. Teachers Mary McQuillan, Eileen O’Neill, and Una Provenzano are former Midwest Champion dancers previously under the instruction of Dennis & Marge Dennehy.

Blackbird Academy’s Goal

Our goal is to share with students the artistic and athletic nature of Irish dance and the positive attributes of being a dancer.
Poise
Style
Competition
Reward 		Friendship Rhythm
Confidence
Discipline
Team Spirit

Locations

Darien: Blackbird Academy teaches at the Marion Hills Recreation Center at 133 Plainfield Road.

Oak Lawn: Blackbird Academy teaches both Oak Lawn Park District classes and regular Blackbird Academy classes at the Oak View Center at 4625 W. 110th Street.

Tinley Park: The Academy teaches Tinley Park Park District classes at the Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center at 8125 W. 171st Street and regular classes at the Blackbird Academy Studio at 17054A Oak Park Avenue.

Workshops

Blackbird Academy holds workshops for our advanced students with Ronan McCormack T.C.R.G. from Dublin, Ireland. Ronan is a World Champion dancer and former member of Riverdance.

Other Activities

Blackbird Academy
  • Produces a School Recital every year.
  • Performs at Gaelic Park during "Irish Week" (the week before St. Patrick’s Day).
  • Marches in the annual Tinley Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
  • Holds a School Feis (competition) annually. Everyone wins a medal!
  • Performs for friends and family at the Blackbird Bash held annually at Gaelic Park. Afterwards there is food, a DJ, a hula-hoop competition, face painting, raffles and much, much more. The Blackbird Bash is a blast for the whole family!
  • Students participate in numerous competitions each year and have won many trophies and medals throughout the course of these competitions.
  • Performs at various functions, weddings, retirement parties, anniversary dinners etc.


For more information on our school or booking exhibitions call our voicemail at 708.802.0793.