Kavanagh Porter Academy - Richmond, VA

Kavanagh Porter Academy – Richmond, formerly Baffa Academy of Irish Dance, offers Irish Dance instruction for dancers of all ages and levels in Midlothian and the Greater Richmond, Virginia area.

The Richmond school is led by experienced Irish Dance teachers including Jessica Baffa, TCRG, and Emma Cross, TCRG, and is part of the international Kavanagh Porter Academy network, with studios throughout the United States and Ireland.

The former Baffa Academy was founded by sisters Jessica and Megan Baffa and became well known throughout Virginia for its competitive and performance programs. Both Jessica and Megan performed professionally with Riverdance, and Emma Cross has professional performance experience with Lord of the Dance. Today, the Richmond program continues that tradition as part of Kavanagh Porter Academy.

Classes are available for beginners through competitive dancers, with instruction designed to develop Irish Dance technique, confidence, discipline and a love of the art form. Students can pursue Irish Dance recreationally or competitively and have opportunities to compete at regional, national and international levels.

The Richmond program has a notable history of developing accomplished dancers. Former Baffa Academy student Morgan Bullock trained at the school before becoming internationally known for bringing Irish Dance to new audiences through social media and later making history as a performer with Riverdance.

As part of Kavanagh Porter Academy, Richmond dancers also benefit from a larger transatlantic school whose students have earned World, All-Ireland, National and Regional Championship titles. The academy emphasizes hard work, kindness and dedication while providing a supportive environment for dancers from their first class through elite competition.

New dancers are welcome, and the Richmond location currently offers a free trial class.