Bringing Celtic step dance traditions to Richmond, Virginia
What We Teach at North Atlantic Steps
Cape Breton Step Dance
Cape Breton step dance developed in Nova Scotia, Canada, where Scottish Highland settlers brought their traditional percussive dance styles in the 18th and 19th centuries. Over time, these dances blended with local influences to form a distinctive style marked by close-to-the-floor footwork, strong rhythm, and musical precision. Step dancing is still alive and well today in Cape Breton, where square dances, kitchen parties, and ceilidh gatherings are still a mainstay of many communities on the island.
Sean Nós (Old-Style) Irish Dance
Sean Nós (meaning “old style” in Irish) is an improvisational and rhythmically intricate form of Irish dance. It predates the contemporary styles of Irish dance seen in competitions and shows, such as Riverdance, but maintains many of the same classic characteristics — just with a more relaxed posture and improvisational style! While the sean nós style is historically "old," it is still a popular style of dance in Ireland today. Join us at North Atlantic Steps to bring this deeply musical and percussive dance tradition to RVA!
Fourth Wednesdays: 6:45-7:30pm
The Dance Space, 6004-A W Broad Street, Henrico, VA 23230
Join North Atlantic Steps for an evening of dancing and merrymaking! The night will begin with a lesson in basic old-style Irish dancing and will be followed by either an Irish ceili (group) dance or a square dance from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
See an example of Cape Breton-style square dancing here!
See an example of an Irish Ceili night here!
Upcoming Dates:
August 27th, September 24th, October 22nd
Admission is $10
Use code HELLO10 for free admission if you are attending as a prospective student.
Students of the Cape Breton Step Dance Class’s tickets are included in their registration fees and can bring TWO guests free.
Join North Atlantic Steps for an afternoon of Celtic dance and live music!
A Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a Scottish Gaelic term for lively social gathering with music, dancing, and community celebration.
Our Autumn Ceilidh will begin with a fun, beginner-friendly lesson featuring partner dances from Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton. Afterwards, enjoy a lively social dance with music by Wayne Hill (fiddle) and Annabelle Bugay (piano).
Ages 16+
3pm—5pm
The Dance Space
6004-A W Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
Overflow parking behind building. The Dance Space is above Mekong Restaurant.
Get into the holiday spirit with a fun, festive dance series! Join us on Wednesdays, December 5th, 12th, and 19th, from 6:45–7:30 PM for Irish and Cape Breton step dancing set to cheerful Celtic Christmas music. No experience is needed — just bring your energy and holiday cheer!
Cost: $55 for 3-class series.
Register today at Northatlanticsteps.com/store
The Dance Space
6004-A W. Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230
Annabelle Bugay
Inspired by her years of study in Ireland and Nova Scotia, Annabelle is finally laying down roots and sharing treasured North Atlantic step dance traditions in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Passionate about preserving time-honored traditions and creating new avenues for their proliferation, Annabelle is committed to fostering a vibrant community of dancers and musicians wherever she goes.
Annabelle first began Irish dancing at the age of six under the An Cor Rud School of Irish Dance in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Annabelle achieved the open championship level before deciding to follow her passion for improvisation, choreography, and social dancing outside of the competitive sphere. She lived in Limerick, Ireland for two years where she learned Sean Nós (old-style) Irish dancing, before moving to Sydney, Nova Scotia where she completed her BA in Music and Folklore at Cape Breton University.
In Cape Breton, Annabelle refined her piano accompaniment skills and began picking up local steps at community dances, house parties, and Ceilidhs. Over the years, Annabelle has had the privilege of learning from many dance masters, such as Lisa Burgess, Liam Scanlon, Nic Gareiss, Mats Melin, Linda Block, Michael Donnellan, and Courtney Jay, among many other friends and square dance partners in Cape Breton. She is also featured on Isla Ratcliff’s debut album The Castalia (2021) and the live recording of Sunnseitn Bordun (2019) in Kremsmünster, Austria.
