The Ryan School of Irish Dance
Lafayette, LA
The Ryan School of Irish Dance is directed by Sheila Ryan, TCRG. Sheila, a first-generation Irish-
American, began studying Irish dance at age 4 and won numerous titles in competitions. She was
named one of the 10 best Irish dancers in the world in her age bracket at age 15. She was lead
principal female dancer with the Grammy-award-winning Irish group The Chieftains, and was invited
to join Riverdance - the Show, as one of the first Americans in a mostly European ensemble. With her
husband, acclaimed Irish musician and singer Tony Davoren, and their three children, Sheila now lives
in Lafayette, LA. Tony and Sheila’s Irish Dance Summer Camp has hosted over 3,000 highly-competitive
young Irish dancers. In 2004, Sheila opened The Ryan School of Irish Dance, a non-competitive school
that performs at Louisiana festivals, schools and private venues, even being invited to perform with The
Chieftains in Shreveport, LA.