Online dance classes are back as COVID restrictions intensify

While Covid-19 has had an impact on many businesses and industries across the country, many have adapted to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.

One such business is located in Moate, under the name of Leinster School of Dance. Established by Athlone native Shauna Coffey (pictured) in 2018, the dance school was a resounding success until the pandemic arrived.

“I have two schools in Dublin and one in Moate,” Shauna says. “The Moate school was fully booked and I was looking at expanding for more days to run the classes. Then the pandemic hit, I had to close all the schools and I was out of work.”

Forced to adapt to her circumstances, Shauna looked to technology to keep her business going, offering online dance classes for anybody to take part in.

“It didn’t matter who you were, you were allowed to take part. The classes were free and the feedback was great. I was receiving pictures and videos and cards from parents and their children who were just happy that there was something to focus on through the doom and gloom of Covid,” she says.

“Dancing, and any activity in general, releases endorphins, and to be honest it gave me something to focus on as well.”

After Level 3 government guidelines came into effect, Shauna once again closed her school and is returning to the online classes, which are being delivered through a combination of pre-recorded YouTube videos and live Zoom classes.

“Dancing, and ballet in particular, is a very disciplined activity. We socially distance and are always spatially aware of ourselves and our surroundings.

People can go to the gym or the playground, but dance classes can’t take place.”

While she believes that the restrictions are a “bit unfair,” Shauna is happy to bring the classes back and is optimistic about the future. “The best way that people can support the arts and schools like mine is to take part in these online classes, and then when everything is back to normal I can hopefully get people to join and continue to grow the school to the extent that it was before,” she says.

Classes will take place on Monday evenings at 6pm. Leinster School of Dance can be contacted on Facebook, Instagram and on leinsterschoolofdance.com