Our Teachers

Phyllis Hayes-Principal CDA, Director YBW B.Phil (Hons) RAD RTS. ISTD CDE (Modern, Ballet).

Phyllis has been both owner and principal of Corrib Dance Academy (CDA) for twenty years. Previous to moving to Galway, Phyllis spent five years teaching at Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) schools in Italy, Greece and Germany where she prepared many students for graded and vocational examinations as well as staging numerous performances in venues as diverse as a converted cinema in Greece and a piazza in Southern Italy.

Phyllis is one of the most highly qualified and experienced teachers in Ireland having added to her teaching diplomas in classical ballet and modern dance by completing a B.Phil in Ballet and Contextual Studies from the University of Durham in 2002.

In 2003, Phyllis founded a vocational training programme to allow her most able students to be identified and their training streamlined over the years.

She became a mentor for the RAD in 2005, enabling her to train teachers under the auspices of the RAD. In November 2007, she was a finalist in the JCI Galway Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

In addition, in 2007, Phyllis co-founded Youth Ballet West with her sister Judith Sibley and is presently serving as Managing Director.  In March 2020 Phyllis was elected chairperson of the Irish Ballet Teachers Association.

Ciara Kavanagh. BA (Hons), ISTD DDI (Modern Theatre) RAD RTS.

After completing a BA in English and Psychology, Ciara trained at the Margaret Howard Theatre College in Hertfordshire, where she gained invaluable experience under the tuition of many West End and Broadway performers, professional ballet dancers and ISTD examiners studying ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary and musical theatre.

She then attended Inchicore College in Dublin where she completed her DDE in Modern Theatre to become a qualified ISTD teacher and achieved her Vocational Advanced 2 Examination (Level 4 Diploma) in Modern Theatre. During this time she also gained Advanced 1 in Tap and completed the CBTS programme to become a fully registered and qualified RAD ballet teacher.

Ciara originally studied Ballet and Modern at Corrib Dance Academy and returned to the school as a teacher in 2009. She founded her own dance school in Gort in 2013. She has recently commenced working as rehearsal assistant for Youth Ballet West. 

Ciara also works in primary and secondary schools. This is her 4^th year as Artist in Residence for a local primary school and the 5^th year as choreographer for Presentation College, Athenry.

Clare Farrell, RAD RTS, Ballet & Modern Teacher.

Clare trained for a number of years with the Corrib Dance Academy where she studied RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern Dance at Graded and Vocational levels. She was awarded Advanced 1 Certification in both styles. She was also a member of Youth Ballet West for three years where she gained additional experience in performance and choreography.

She attended Inchicore College of Further Education where she completed the three year Dance Studies course gaining a knowledge of many types of dance and choreography. Clare completed the Royal Academy of Dance's CBTS program in 2021, becoming a fully registered and qualified RAD ballet teacher.

As well as teaching at Corrib Dance Academy, she teaches in Shannon Dance Academy, Athlone and works as ASM for Youth Ballet West productions.

Clare is currently enrolled in the Inspire Professional Dance Teacher Training Course where she will complete her DDE in Modern Dance. She is a committee member of the Irish Ballet Teachers Association.