Frequently Asked Questions

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​Why should I choose the Cass-Barrington Academy?

• Besides being a fun and friendly school, CBA offers unique, exceptional and superior instruction from over 2 decades of combined teaching, World champion insight and professional Riverdance experience.

At what age can a dancer begin classes?

• CBA accepts students from age 5  through adulthood. Both boys and girls are welcome to join the fun!

Is Irish dancing different from "Riverdancing"?

• "Riverdancing" is in fact Irish dancing, just a recent modern development of the dance form for show purposes. Nearly all of the dancers in these big shows have had traditional Irish dance training like you will find at CBA. Proper training and experience through an Irish dance school is crucial if seeking a career as a professional Irish dancer.

Do I have to have an Irish background to dance?

• Of course not! Since the debut of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, Irish dance has spread across the globe and can be found on nearly every continent. We at CBA welcome everyone into this exciting world of dance.

How do I hire the Cass-Barrington Academy for special events?

• In order to hire CBA for a public or private event, simply contact us via email to discuss how we can best fit your needs.

Is there a tuition discount for siblings?

• Yes, there is a discount for multiple dancers in the same family. Contact us for more details.

How long before my dancer can participate in competitions or performances?

• This depends on the dancer and the family. Usually dancers start out with performing and we welcome beginners in most of our shows. This helps with their confidence of dancing in front of an audience. As long as a dancer has mastered their beginner steps, has the proper costume requirements and has instructor approval, they may compete and perform at their discretion.

Do I need any previous dance experience?

• No! Irish Dance has a very unique and specific technique that we focus on at the beginner level. Previous dance experience may be helpful to some, but it is certainly not required. Some advanced experience in certain dance forms may actually be conflicting.

Are competitions or performances required?

• Absolutely not! Although it is strongly encouraged, and most dancers eventually do participate in both, it is not required to either compete or perform.