Welcome to Rince Na Saor, Rochester's recreational Irish dance school! Since 1997, Rince Na Saor ("rinka na sayer") has provided an alternative to the typical competition-based Irish dance school, offering children and adults the opportunity to learn traditional Irish dance in an environment focused exclusively on recreational students. Rince Na Saor's unique curriculum was developed specifically to meet the needs of the recreational student, which include lower costs, a smaller time commitment, and a more relaxed learning pace.

There are several different types of Irish dance, all of which are available at Rince Na Saor. We offer instruction in the Modern style of Irish stepdance which most people know from Riverdance, including hard shoe and soft shoe stepdancing, ceili and figure dances, traditional and contemporary set dances, family dances, and dance dramas. We also offer Rochester's first Sean Nós classes ("shah nose"--old style Irish stepdancing), and Country Set classes for beginners.

The links below will tell you more about us, and you can contact me at kathyw[at]rns.dance with any questions you may have.

Current Announcements

• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's annual Irish Cultural and Workshop Day will be held at East Rochester High School on Sunday, November 2, 2025, 12:00-5:00 p.m. Kathy will be teaching workshops in Sean Nós stepdancing, Céilí and Country dancing, and also teaching dance in the Children's workshops. Workshops are free, and open to the public! Find more information here.
  
  
  
• The month of Samhain (November) marks the Irish New Year, so join us for the Samhain Community Céilí! ("Sow-in", "sow" rhymes with cow.) A Community Ceili features dances from all corners of the Irish social dance tradition, with plenty which are friendly to the new or occasional dancer. All dances will be taught and called. You don't need any prior experience to enjoy these dances, so bring your family and friends!
  
  Sponsored by The Tom Finucane Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE). There will be refreshments and a raffle at the break.
  
  
  When: Saturday, November 15, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
  
  Where: The Well Church, 335 Helendale Road (On the corner of Empire Blvd. and Helendale Road, just off Route 59
  
  Admission:
  
  $10 General Admission. Children under 18 are free with a parent.
  
  $8 CCE Members
  
  $5 if you bring an item for the raffle.
  
  Click to download (.pdf): Ceili Flyer with Directions to The Well
  
  
  
  
• Sean Nós, or "old style" stepdancing, is offered in single class workshops and short-term sessions. The workshops are a great place to start, while the sessions start with the basics, then move beyond. Beginners may start in either workshops or sessions.
  
  
  Sean Nós Workshop: Our Winter Beginner Workshop will be on Friday, February 13, 2026 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  
  Sean Nós Session: Our Winter Session will be on Fridays, February 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
  
  
  Learn more about Sean Nós dancing with the videos below, or by clicking "Class Schedule" in the links above.
  
  Register online for Workshops or Sessions: Sean Nós (Old Style Stepdance) Workshops and Sessions
  
  
  This is an exellent video describing Sean Nós dancing. Since it was filmed, Sean Nós has become very popular all over Ireland, and has made its way to America.
  
  
  
  
  
  One of my favorites, Kieran Jordan, Sean Nós dancing to jigs. A useful reminder that Irish dance need not be fast to be compelling.