ABOUT
OUR SCHOOL
The Yeates Academy of Irish Dance is an established dance academy and is the longest running Irish dance school in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The school opened its doors in 1985 under the direction of Breda Yeates and Molly Malone Mannenbach. Since inception, our school has been the leading force for Irish culture and dance in the Portland area. In 2020, Molly retired from dance to focus on family and career. In 2021, Sinéad Yeates joined Breda in running the Yeates Academy of Irish Dance.
OUR MISSION
To provide a fair, safe, and comfortable teaching environment for our students. Our goal is to provide a family-oriented environment where each student is encouraged to reach his or her potential by listening and accepting feedback from teachers. Our experienced teachers are committed to providing a quality Irish dance education with a spirit of building self-esteem and confidence.
WHO WE ARE
SINÉAD YEATES, TCRG • OWNER, DIRECTOR, & SENIOR INSTRUCTOR
Sinéad competed in all levels of Irish dancing, including solo and team dancing at the World Championships. Sinéad brings years of competitive dance and performance experience, as well as 20 years experience as an accredited Irish dance teacher. Sinéad teaches daily at the Portland studio and at ongoing workshops in Eureka, CA.
In September of 2021, Sinéad was awarded a global Irish Dancing Teacher Award from Irish Dancing Magazine, a popular global print publication covering the interesting world of Irish dancing. This international award recognizes excellence in teaching by honoring extraordinary Irish dance teachers. This honor was bestowed to 23 Irish dance teachers worldwide for excellence in teaching. The global list of recipients includes dance teachers in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. Sinéad is one of four teachers in the Western US Region to receive this award and the only one in Oregon and Washington. As well as recognition for excellence in teaching, the award focused on teachers who are diverse and inclusive in their teaching style and their ability to relate to children of all ages and cultures.
BREDA YEATES • OWNER/DIRECTOR
Breda was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland where she learned Irish dance as a child. She has a lifelong background in theater, music, and dance. This training eventually led to a three-year dance engagement with Telefis Eireann (Irish Television) on the “Like Now” show. Breda emigrated to the United States in 1971 and taught dance in Iowa, Minnesota and Vancouver, WA before merging with Molly. Breda worked as a manager in Human Resources at a local hospital for 28 years before retiring in 2011.
MEAGHAN FEEBACK, TCRG • INSTRUCTOR
Meaghan competed in all levels of Irish dancing including solo and team dancing at the World Championships. Meaghan brings 15 years of competitive dance and performance experience and became an accredited Irish Dance instructor in 2014. Meaghan teaches at the Portland studio as well as Salem and Lake Oswego, Oregon.
MEGHAN BJERKE, TCRG • INSTRUCTOR
Meghan has been dancing with Yeates Academy since 1999. She competed in championships and brings 10 years of competitive Irish dance experience to our studio. Prior to becoming an accredited Irish Dance instructor in April, 2020, Meghan was an assistant teacher at Yeates Academy for 18 years. Meghan teaches weekly classes at the Vancouver studio.
ACCREDIDATION & COMPETITION
In addition to being an accredited Irish dance school through the Irish Dance Commission (CLRG), we have three accredited teachers of Irish dance on staff, Sinéad Yeates, TCRG, Meaghan Feeback, TCRG and Meghan Bjerke, TCRG.
This accreditation allows eligible students to compete in local, regional, national and World Irish Dance competitions called “Feis or Feiseanna.” Only students studying with accredited schools and instructors may compete. Students registered with Yeates Academy are eligible to compete in CLRG sanctioned competitions. Please consult with the instructors if you need further information on competing.
Entering competition (Feiseanna) is encouraged, but not required. It is one way to assess a dancer’s progress and to recognize and reward them for their hard work. Many of our dancers have reached championship status and have gone on to qualify to dance at the US Regionals and Nationals, and the World Championships. If you are interested in competing, please let us know. You can register online for local Feiseanna (competitions) at FeisWorx.com. If you have questions regarding your child’s progress, please ask their teacher.