Specialties
Opened in 2023, Blackthorn Academy is Eugene's only Irish Dance school. Dancers can be any age and any experience level. Competitions and performances are not required, but all dancers are eligible for both if they are interested. Classes are offered for beginners, advanced beginners, novices, prizewinners, championship-level dancers, and adults. We strive to provide a safe and inclusive place for dancers of all types, regardless of age, gender, or orientation. We welcome queer dancers with open arms and hope to reach the queer community by partnering with local queer organizations.
History
Established in 2023.
Blackthorn Academy was founded by TCRG Alex Hailey in 2023 after she moved to Eugene and found there were no Irish Dance schools in the area. At the time, the closest school was in Salem - too far for Eugene dancers to drive for weekly classes. When Blackthorn first opened, only a few dancers enrolled, but within two years we grew to over 15 dancers of all levels.
Blackthorn Academy first performed throughout the Eugene area for St. Patrick's Day in 2024, dancing at 12 different venues over three days. In 2025, we danced at 19 different venues in and around Eugene.
Dancers for Blackthorn have competed locally, regionally, and internationally, with one dancer competing at the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland in April 2025. Younger dancers have quickly moved up from beginner level to novice over the course of a year.
Meet the Business Owner: Alex H.
Alex has been involved in the Irish Dance community for over 25 years, dancing competitively 20 years. She began dancing in 1998 after watching a performance at her elementary school and quickly fell in love with Irish Dancing. She competed at local competitions throughout her childhood, eventually going on to compete at Regional and National competitions across the country.
When she was 14, she began assisting in classes and by the time she was 17 she was teaching independently. In 2020, Alex earned her TCRG (teacher’s certification) with the Irish Dancing Commission and began teaching with An Daire Academy of Irish Dance in Portland, Oregon.
In 2022, Alex moved to Eugene, Oregon and established Blackthorn Academy of Irish Dance in early 2023. Blackthorn Academy offers competitive and recreational classes for dancers of all ages and all levels, always aiming to help dancers find joy and passion through Irish dancing.