Bringing Celtic step dance traditions to Richmond, Virginia
Traditions thrive in vibrant communities
Community is at the heart of all that we do at North Atlantic Steps. NAS is structured to blend practical lessons with in-person socials and virtual community. This way, members are not only able to connect with step dance traditions on a practical level, but live them out as they were originally intended — as a unifying force within their local community.
Open House
April 9th
6:30-7:30 PM
The Dance Space
6004-A West Broad Street
Henrico, VA 23230
Come enjoy a free adult (18+) class offered by Annabelle Bugay about the basics of old-style Irish dance. Sign up for your first three months of classes and receive a 15% tuition discount.
Join us afterwards at Rosie Connolly’s Pub at 1548 East Main Street to live Irish music at the bi-monthly music session!
Open House
April 16th
The Dance Space
6004-A West Broad Street
Henrico, VA 23239
Come enjoy a free adult (18+) class offered by Annabelle Bugay about the basics of old-style Irish dance. Sign up for your first three months of classes and receive a 15% tuition discount.
Join us afterwards at Mekong Restaurant (directly below the studio) to socialize with other prospective North Atlantic Steps students!
Annabelle Bugay
Inspired by her years of study in Ireland and Nova Scotia, Annabelle is finally laying down roots and sharing treasured North Atlantic step dance traditions in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Passionate about preserving time-honored traditions and creating new avenues for their proliferation, Annabelle is committed to fostering a vibrant community of dancers and musicians wherever she goes.
Annabelle first began Irish dancing at the age of six under the An Cor Rud School of Irish Dance in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Annabelle achieved the open championship level before deciding to follow her passion for improvisation, choreography, and social dancing outside of the competitive sphere. She lived in Limerick, Ireland for two years where she learned Sean Nós (old-style) Irish dancing, before moving to Sydney, Nova Scotia where she completed her BA in Music and Folklore at Cape Breton University.
In Cape Breton, Annabelle refined her piano accompaniment skills and began picking up local steps at community dances, house parties, and Ceilidhs. Over the years, Annabelle has had the privilege of learning from many dance masters, such as Lisa Burgess, Liam Scanlon, Nic Gareiss, Mats Melin, Linda Block, Michael Donnellan, and Courtney Jay, among many other friends and square dance partners in Cape Breton. She is also featured on Isla Ratcliff’s debut album The Castalia (2021) and the live recording of Sunnseitn Bordun (2019) in Kremsmünster, Austria.
