It’s Nationals Week!

Twenty-seven of the Culkin School’s dancers will compete July 4-9 at the North American Irish Dance Championships (sometimes called “Nationals” or “NANs”) at the Gaylord in National Harbor.  

Dancers who compete in Solo competitions qualified for the NANs at our Southern Region Oireachtas back in December, and have been prepping ever since. We also have 13 dancers competing in Traditional Set dances, and many on teams including several Culkin college-aged dancers.  We are SO PROUD of the hard work have put in to get to this far, and can’t wait to watch them shine on the big stage!

See the link above for all event information, and watch for live updates on NAN’s Instagram page.
If you would like to take your dancer to see our dancers shine, and the rest of the best Irish Dancers in North America, that’s a great idea! Here is what you need to know:
– Parking at the Gaylord is $20 per day
– Review the Event Logistics page on the NANs website.  You will see a reference to a $100 wristband fee – but keep scrolling, and you will see this:
Facility Fee Exemption: Residents of DC, Maryland, Virginia, and military personnel are exempt from the facility fee and can obtain their free daily wristbands and can be picked up at the Info Desk located by the Woodrow Wilson Ballroom. Photo identification is required for all wristbands

JOIN THE FUN! Register Today for Summer Camp

(FYI: fall registration is not open yet – check back in July for those links!)

Click here to register for Summer Camps at Glen Echo Park (Select Semester- Summer 2025, then select Instructor- “Culkin School of Irish Dance, Director.” Camps are listed by start date, so keep scrolling till you find the one you want.)

If you have any questions, please contact us: text Sean at 301-346-1907, or email denise@culkinschool.com.

Beginner Camps are for dancers who are currently registered in a level 1 class or are brand new to Irish Dance. Ages 5 and up. Level 2-5 Camps are for dancers who are currently registered in a 2/3 or 4/5 class. Ages 6 and up. Level 6-7 Camps are for dancers in the preliminary or open championship level OR are currently 4 first places away from preliminary championship.

Beginner Camps: for current level 1 and new dancers

  • July 14-18, 9am-1pm ($400)
  • July 21-25, 12-4pm ($400)

Culkin Camp Levels 2-5

  • July 14-18, 12-4pm ($400)
  • July 21-25, 9am-4pm ($600)

Culkin Champ Camp Levels 6 & 7

  • July 28-Aug 1, 9am-4pm ($600)
  • Aug11-15, 9am-4pm ($600)

Fall Registrations: Plan Now!

The Culkin School Fall session begins September 2 at Glen Echo Park, and September 6 at Rockville United Methodist Church and ends December 3. Plan to register and join the fun! Questions? Text Sean at 301-346-1907,or email denise@culkinschool.com!

Fall Class Schedule:

Tots ages 3-5: Sat (Rockville) 9:00-9:30 ($145, 11 sessions)

Level 1 & New Beginner, ages 5-10
• Wed (Glen Echo) 5:00 -5:45 ($285, 13 sessions)
• Sat (Rockville) 9:30-10:15 ($245, 11 sessions)

Level 2 & 3:
• Level 2- Sat (Rockville) 10:15-11:15 ($290, 11 sessions)
• Level 3- Sat (Rockville) 11:15-12:15 ($290, 11 sessions)
• Level 2 & 3: Mon (Glen Echo) 5:00 -6:00 ($315, 12 sessions)
• Level 2 & 3: Wed (Glen Echo) 5:45 -6:45 ($340, 13 sessions)

Level 4 & 5:
• Sun (Glen Echo) 12:15-1:15 ($260, 10 sessions)
• Tues (Glen Echo) 5:00-6:00 ($360, 14 sessions)
• Thurs (Glen Echo) 5:00-6:00 ($315, 12 sessions)

Level 6 (also see Level 6/7 below)
• Sun (Glen Echo) 1:15 -2:45 ($360, 10 sessions)
• Tues (Glen Echo) 6:00-7:30 ($500, 14 sessions)

Level 7 (also see Level 6/7 below)
• Sun (Glen Echo) 2:45 -4:45 ($440, 10 sessions)
• Tues (Glen Echo) 7:00-9:00 ($600, 14 sessions)

Level 6 & 7: (also see New Classes below)
• Mon (Glen Echo) 6:00-8:00 ($530, 12 sessions)
• Thurs (Glen Echo)7:00 -9:00 ($530, 12 sessions)

Additional Classes this Fall!
Teams for SRO: Thurs (Glen Echo) 6:00 -7:00 ($240, 12 sessions)

Levels 4 – 6: Traditional Set Class, Wed (Glen Echo) 6:45-7:45pm ($260, 13 sessions)
• Open to Culkin Irish Dancers in levels 4 through 6. Focus will be on traditional set dances to prepare for the Southern Region Oireachtas, local competitions, and performances. This is a supplementary class.

Adults: Mon (Glen Echo) 8:00-9:00 ($315, 12 sessions)

Culkin School Spring Showcase!

The Culkin School’s annual Spring Showcase will be held Sunday, May 18 at Churchill High School at 2:30pm! Join us to watch and celebrate all our wonderful dancers have learned and mastered this year! Click here to purchase tickets through our school Shopify account, select GENERAL ADMISSION. Tickets are $20 each, with optional flower purchase for dancers available (be sure to unselect if you do not want flowers!) Note: no physical tickets are distributed; we will have your name on our list once you purchase the ticket.

Hope to see you there!