Owner/Director
Shannon Foley Dilles TCRG is the owner and director of Foley Academy of Irish Dance, LLC. She opened her dance school to help promote and preserve the teaching and learning of traditional Irish Step Dancing and Ceili Dancing in the Northern Virginia area.
Shannon first saw Irish Dancing at the age of 9 at an Irish Festival in Old Town Alexandria. She was captivated by the dance form and immediately started Irish Dance classes. She began with the Donnelly School of Irish Dance in Vienna, VA and later continued instruction under the Maple Academy. From her very first dance class, Shannon became passionate about Irish Dance and dreamed of becoming an Irish Dance instructor.
While taking lessons, Shannon performed on television stations, at Irish Festivals, nursing homes, and International festivals. In addition, she performed with many well-known Irish bands, including The Chieftains, Scythian, Carbon Leaf, and We Banjo 3. During her competitive career, Shannon advanced through all competition levels. She reached the highest level, Open Championship, by the age of 16. For both Solos and Teams (Ceili), she has competed in Féiseanna throughout the Southern, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-America Regions, as well as the Southern Region Oireachtas, the North American Irish Dance Championships, and the World Irish Dance Championships.
In 2016, Shannon retired from competitive dancing to prepare to become a certified Irish Dance teacher with the CLRG (the Irish Dance Commission). Shannon received her TCRG certification in 2017 and pursued her dream of opening her own Irish Dance School in Northern Virginia, specifically Reston.
Outside of Irish Dance, Shannon graduated from George Mason University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She continued at GMU and in 2014 received her Master’s in English for Professional Writing and Editing.
All Foley Academy Instructors are fully vetted to work with children through An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha (CLRG) and SafeSport trained and certified.
Proud member of An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha
Studio Location
All classes located at the Foley Academy Dance Studio:
11260 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 102, Reston, VA 20190
Accolades
2022 Southern Region Oireachtas U10 Mixed Ceili 8 Hand Regional Champions
2022 Southern Region Oireachtas U10 Mixed Ceili 4 Hand Regional Champions
2022 Southern Region Oireachtas U12 Girls Ceili 8 Hand Regional Champions
2022 Southern Region Oireachtas U12 Girls Ceili 4 Hand Regional Champions
2022 Southern Region Oireachtas U10 Girls Ceili 4 Hand – 3rd Place
2022 Herndon Homecoming Parade – Best in Parade
2022 North American Irish Dance National Championships U13 Girls Ceili 8 Hand – 6th Place
2021 Southern Region Oireachtas U10 Mixed Ceili 8 Hand – 2nd Place
2021 Southern Region Oireachtas U12 Girls Ceili 8 Hand – 3rd Place
Performance Bookings
Foley Academy would love to be a part of your event! We are available for many types of performances, including weddings, festivals, nursing homes, parades, school events, fundraisers, anniversary celebrations, and much more!
Please send your performance request to shannon@foleyirishdance.com or call 703-375-9369. We will be in touch to understand how we can best meet your entertainment requirements.
In the Community
We are proud to be part of the local Reston community. Keep a lookout for us at local Library Performances, Reston Founder’s day, Reston Multicultural Festival, and the Reston Holiday Parade. We have performed from Reston Station to Lake Anne Plaza and everywhere between. We support local news site The Patch and the Reston Chamber of Commerce.
Foley Academy has worked with PTAs to bring before-school programs and after-school programs to Sunrise Valley Elementary School, Lake Anne Elementary School, Terraset Elementary School, and others. If you are a PTA member in Reston-area school and are interested in bringing a before school or after school Irish Dance program to your child’s school, please email to shannon@foleyirishdance.com or call 703-375-9369 and we will do our best to make it happen!