Irish Dancing in Virginia Beach - Established 1996

About The Rhythm of Ireland

The Rhythm of Ireland School of Irish Dance was founded by Deborah Souza-Bristol, TCRG in 1996. Deborah began dancing at age 5 in her hometown of Boston, MA., winning numerous awards throughout her career. She competed throughout New England,  and in Canada, and the Oireachtas (championships) in the North East Region. Mrs. Bristol is proud to be the first Irish dance teacher in the greater Hampton Roads area that was awarded her TCRG designation by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha (The Irish Dance Commission of Ireland). She was also named Dance Teacher of the Month by Irish Dancing Magazine in 2005.

Deborah has proudly maintained a relatively small Irish dance school in Virginia Beach and Yorktown, Virginia while raising 3 sons Sean, Bill & Adam.

In keeping a small dance school & small class size, to her credit are 5 Southern Region 1st place solo champions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008 as well as a 1st place ceili champion team in 2005, & numerous North American & Worlds qualifiers.

ROI has had more 1st place regional champions than any other dance school in the Hampton Roads area.

In addition, numerous other Rhythm of Ireland dancers finish in the top 10 at the Southern Region Oireachtas and North American Championships.

After being the 1st certified teacher in Hampton Roads with An Coimisiun approximately 8 years ago, Deborah continues to train successful champion Irish dancers while paying close attention to providing the most positive learning environment possible and boosting the self esteem & confidence of  Rhythm of Ireland students.

Many events are planned to encourage all ROI students regardless of competition rank, like a Faux Feis, a large recital in June, sanctioned Rhythm of Ireland Feis in October, two parades, Irish dance workshops by some of the most successful Irish dancers in the world, Healthy Eating Workshops by registered dietician, Laurie Wittenberg, a winter ceili & much more through out the year.

ROI dancers are the most well rounded dancers around both physically & emotionally.

A brief history...

Deborah's mother, Rosanna, was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Deborah's father, William, is a first generation American who's family is from Roscommon Ireland. William met Rosanna while stationed in Dublin with the US Navy. The family settled in the Boston area in 1958.

Rosanna started teaching her daughter the Irish dance steps taught to her while in school in Dublin, at a very young age. As soon as Deborah was 5 years old, Rosanna enrolled her with one of the first American Irish dancers to be certified to teach Irish dancing by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha, Dublin. 

Deborah was a student of the late Josephine Moran, ADCRG, who has trained thousands of dancers in the greater Boston area including World, US, Regional and State Champion dancers. Mrs. Moran has been inducted into the Irish Dancing Hall of Fame, a distinction held by very few in the world. Deborah maintains many of Mrs. Moran's techniques and traditions in her own classes.

Doug Westfall TCRG was a student of Deborah's and Southern Region Champion. Doug has gone on to receive his TCRG credentials and now teaches in the Maryland area with the Russell Beaton School of Irish Dance. Russell is a certified adjudicator and past Regional Director for the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America.

When Deborah moved to Virginia Beach 16 years ago she began offering Irish dancing lessons to a town that wasn't quite sure what Irish dancing was all about. Deborah started Irish dance lessons in Virginia Beach with the help of the Tidewater Irish American Society and Sean Culkin TCRG from Maryland who helped Deborah study for her TCRG testing.

Since that time Irish dancing has taken off in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Yorktown. Deborah gives many classes a week to a variety of different ages and levels.

In addition, ROI has performed at the Ted Constant Convocation Center opening for The Kingston Trio, and has danced with The Trinity Irish Dancers, The Virginia Symphony, The Virginia International Tattoo, Beach Street USA at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Eileen Ivers and Gaelic Storm to name a few. Mrs. Bristol also trained The Hunt Family Fiddlers who have been highlighted at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and performed live on the Tony Danza Show.

Rhythm of Ireland dancers have been chosen to perform with the nationally touring Irish dance show, Common Grounds.  ROI performs regularly for schools, festivals and a host of other organizations. The Rhythm of Ireland students, both adult and child, compete in Beginning levels of competition on up to the Championship levels and World Qualifiers.

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