Our School

Ruth Shine

Principal · ARAD RTS, AISTD, PDDS

Ruth bought the school at just twenty-three, following her training at Inchicore College and Trinity Laban, and has dedicated her career to helping dancers of all ages discover the joy of dance.

She is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), holds a Level 8 Diploma in Dance Pedagogy and is an Acrobatic Arts teacher. Ruth continues to develop her own teaching practice, travelling to the Royal Ballet School several times a year to keep her training and methods up to date.

Alongside teaching, Ruth has enjoyed a varied professional career as a performer and choreographer. She has performed with Dublin Youth Dance Company and as part of 50% Male Experimental Theatre at The Fringe Festival and Dublin Dance Festival, as well as choreographing for the Ninette de Valois Dance Festival.

Ruth has also worked with Enable Ireland and the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland, experiences which have helped shape her strong belief that dance should be welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for every student.

Her passion for movement extends beyond dance too. Ruth is a fully qualified Pilates instructor, fitness instructor and personal trainer, and is excited to bring this wider knowledge of movement and fitness into the school’s new dance fitness classes.

Ruth is passionate about creating a school where every dancer feels valued, supported and encouraged to reach their own potential.

Jenny Boland

ISTD · IDTA · RAD

Jenny started dancing at just three years old and never looked back! From stage school to ballet and modern dance, she has spent her life learning, performing and developing her love of dance.

Jenny went on to study at Inchicore College, where she gained a Diploma in Dance, followed by a Level 4 Diploma in ISTD Dance Education. She also studied ballet with the Royal Academy of Dance, gaining her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies in 2011, and has continued to build on her teaching qualifications with her Level 4 Diploma in ISTD Dance Education: Imperial Classical Ballet.

Now a full-time dance teacher, Jenny teaches both children and adults, helping students prepare for examinations and performances while encouraging them to enjoy their dancing and grow in confidence.

Jenny also brings plenty of performance and event experience to her teaching, having choreographed and judged Strictly Come Dancing events. Her years of experience give her a wonderful understanding of both the technical and creative sides of dance.

Kathy Young

RAD · Acrobatic Arts · UL Voice & Dance

Kathy is a passionate and versatile dance teacher who loves helping students develop their skills, confidence and creativity through dance.

She graduated from the University of Limerick with a First Class Honours degree in Voice & Dance and has performed with Dublin Youth Dance Company. Kathy also holds a Certificate in Ballet Teaching from the Royal Academy of Dance and is a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher.

At Ruth Shine School of Dance, Kathy teaches ballet, musical theatre, hip hop and contemporary. Her broad experience across different styles allows her to bring energy, creativity and a love of performance into every class, while encouraging students to find their own confidence and individuality.

Leon Dwyer

Team Ireland · Hip-Hop · Creative

Leon (@bboyaleon) is a professional B-Boy, artist, athlete and teacher from Dublin, with over 15 years of experience in breaking, competing and teaching. A member of Team Ireland and Primal Instincts, he has represented Ireland at major international events across Europe, Brazil and beyond.

Leon was the first Irish B-Boy to qualify through an Olympic qualifier, is a three-time Irish National Olympic Champion and a two-time winner of the Red Bull BC One Irish National Final.

With a background in ballet as well as breaking, Leon brings a technical, creative and adaptable approach to his teaching. His classes focus not only on learning moves, but also on musicality, confidence, creativity, discipline and developing each dancer’s own style.

Louise Behan

DDE

Louise began dancing at a young age with Ruth Shine School of Dance, where she trained in RAD ballet and discovered her passion for performance and choreography. She has now returned to the school as a teacher and choreographer, bringing her professional training and experience back to where her own dance journey began.

Louise completed her pre-professional training at Inchicore College of Further Education, where she also gained her Diploma in Dance, before moving to Scotland to study at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance. She graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Dance and later returned to Ireland to complete her Level 4 Diploma in ISTD Dance Education.

As a contemporary dancer, Louise has performed works by established choreographers including Simone O’Toole, Tommy Small, Linda Higgins, Laura Watson and Benoit Egloff.