Cunningham Academy: A home for Irish dance in Sofia
Irish dancing has always been about more than just steps and rhythm – especially when practiced outside of Ireland, it’s often about carrying a piece of home wherever the music plays.
A vibrant dance community in Sofia
That spirit is at the heart of the Cunningham Academy of Irish Dance, which opened its Sofia branch in 2019, joining branches in three other countries: Ireland, France and Austria. It has since grown into a vibrant community of dancers, teachers and enthusiasts.
The Academy was founded by Tanya Cunningham, a former performing Irish dance artist and competitor who has qualified in top five in the World Irish Dancing Championships.
She is a certified adjudicator with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha, and her passion for our traditional dance led her to create a school that would nurture future generations of dancers, seeking to help shape the story of Irish dance both in Ireland and abroad.
Nurturing future generations' talent
In Sofia, that story is brought to life by Rosen Idealov. An Irish dancing enthusiast from an early age, Rosen now leads the Academy’s Bulgarian branch as the main tutor, inspiring with his passion for Irish music and dance, both in the classroom and on stage alike. He tours regularly with stage shows in Bulgaria, Germany and France.
Alongside Rosen is Tiana Slancheva, a dancer and assistant tutor at the Academy, who brings grace and style to her performances. She is one of the bright lights of the school and performs publicly on a regular basis, as well as competitively.
Irish dance workshops in Sofia
Together they have created something remarkable. Over the past few years, the school has facilitated over 15 workshops in Sofia with Cunningham, some of those supported by the Irish Embassy in Bulgaria. The dancers are driven and dedicated, and aim to build the skills and knowledge needed to improve the general level of all dancers, including the teaching team.
The future holds even more. With plans to welcome new students and strengthen the school’s reputation in Bulgaria and internationally, the Cunningham Academy of Irish Dance in Sofia is proof that Irish dance travels far, and wherever it lands, it creates a home.
Meet the team behind Cunningham Academy of Irish Dance
To get involved with the Cunningham Academy of Irish Dance in Sofia, contact Rosen Idealov on +359 88 899 1806 or fly.into.dance@gmail.com.