Kender Academy of Irish Dance

Kender Academy of Irish Dance is a dance studio in Farmingdale, NY, offering Irish dance classes for ages 2 through adult. The academy runs Jump'n Jig classes for ages 2 to 4, beginner classes for ages 5 and up, intermediate and advanced youth classes, and adult classes for ages 18 and over. It is a Registered CLRG Irish Dance School, and dancers can take part in grade exams, competition, and performances. The studio also holds a 5.00 rating from the customers who have reviewed it. The academy's mission is to give every dancer a strong foundation in traditional Irish dance technique while creating opportunities to grow in confidence, skill, friendship, and ambition. It describes itself as a family-oriented community that honors Irish dance traditions while helping each dancer find their own path, and it encourages dancers to be goal-oriented. Instruction covers solo and team dancing, and the academy supports dancers from their first steps through championship stages, including performing in the Farmingdale St. Patrick's Day Parade, competing at local feis events, joining ceili teams, completing grade exams, and qualifying for major championships. Rebecca Kender-Rocha, TCRG, is the director. She has been dancing for more than 20 years, began classes at age 13, and trained under Kathleen Ryan, Lisa and Karen Petri, and Gavin and Seaneen Doherty. She has competed on the local, national, international, and professional level in both solos and teams, placed third at the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas, and graduated as a TCRG in Belfast in 2022. She has performed as lead dancer in Rhythm in the Night and at a 2024 wedding performance. The academy sits on Hempstead Turnpike, about 0.1 miles from Fulton Street and a lake, Nassau County Basin #374. The Farmingdale Public Library is about 0.2 miles away, Merritts Road about 0.2 miles, and South Farmingdale Fire Station 2 about 0.3 miles. Classes are also held in Bethpage and Amityville. Kender Academy of Irish Dance pairs a 5.00 customer rating with a CLRG-registered program that carries dancers from age 2 through championship competition in Farmingdale.