Irish dance school has opened

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Just in time for the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this weekend, Sheridan School of Irish Dance opened its doors at 6520 Mahoning Ave.

Holly Podbesek, director of the school, said Sheridan is all about accessibility, affordability and dancing for the fun of it.

“I started dancing when I was only 9 and made it all the way to the world championships,” she said. “But it is not the competition I remember most. I loved the traveling to different cities and performing throughout the community, on television and on the stages.”

After competing in the U.S. national and world championships twice, Podbesek pursued the certification that allows her to prepare dancers for competition.

Podbesek has taught at Murphy Irish Arts Center in Cleveland for 17 years, and coached several solo dancers to championship level as well as world qualifiers. She decided to go out on her own when she and her husband had the opportunity to open Northeast Martial Arts and Fitness earlier this year in Austintown, where Sheridan is also located.

Irish dance classes are offered Wednesday evenings in three levels: ages 4-6; 7-12 and teens/adults.

The adults will focus on the ceili social dances, which are not as fast and complex as step dancing.

Podbesek will offer free demonstrations and ceili lessons at 9 p.m. Saturday at O’Donold’s Irish Pub in Austintown Plaza, during the restaurant’s Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Music will be provided by Shaffer Brothers Band, beginning at 9 p.m.