Premier Competitive Irish Dance Academy
Serving Southern California: Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Newbury Park, Camarillo, and Ventura County
Classes for Ages 3 through Adult
Beginners Welcome – No Experience Necessary!
Competitive & Performance Opportunities Available
Studio Located in Agoura Hills, California
Build Confidence. Develop Discipline. Achieve Excellence.
MORE THAN A DANCE CLASS
Irish dance is more than movement.
It's a powerful combination of athletic training, artistic expression, cultural education, and personal growth.
At The West Coast Academy of Irish Dance, dancers develop:
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Confidence and self-discipline
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Focus and memory skills
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Teamwork and leadership skills
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Lifelong friendships and community
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Performance and paid professional opportunities
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Competitive opportunities from local events to world championships
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Strength, coordination, and endurance
Whether your goal is fitness, performance, cultural connection, or elite competition, every dancer is given the tools to succeed.
Determination
Achievement
Teamwork
PROGRAMS
A Place For Every Age & Every Stage
Wee Ones
(Ages 3-5)
Creative movement classes inspired by Irish dance music and foundational movement skills.
Perfect for developing:
Coordination
Rhythm
Balance
Confidence
Listening skills
Youth Beginner
(Ages 5+)
Learn the foundations of Irish dance through progressive instruction in soft shoe and hard shoe dancing.
Students build:
Technique
Musicality
Athletic ability
Performance skills
Competition opportunities available as dancers progress.
Teen & Adult Classes
(Ages 13+)
It's never too late to start Irish Dancing.
Whether you're exploring your Irish heritage, looking for a unique fitness activity, or pursuing competitive goals, our adult program welcomes all experience levels, no dance background required.
We welcome returning Irish Dancers as well!
Pick up where you left off. There are many exciting opportunities for adults interested in a competitive Irish dance career at any age or level, and we are here to support you with the training to achieve your goals.
Advanced athletes receive focused coaching in:
Solo competition
Team competition
Technical development
Performance refinement
Strength and conditioning
Competition preparation
For dancers pursuing regional, national, and international competition.
Championship Training
(All Ages)
Cara Justice has dedicated her career to helping dancers achieve their highest potential while developing confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for Irish dance.
After a career competing at the Mid American Oireachtas, North American Nationals, All-Irelands, and World Championships, and opportunities to perform professionally, she now shares these invaluable experiences with her own dance students.
As a certified TCRG instructor since 2017, Bachelor of Exercise Science, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, and children's book author, Cara brings a uniquely comprehensive approach to dancer development.
Besides owning & operating The West Coast Academy of Irish Dance, she also teaches at the Jackie Flynn Academy of Irish Dance in San Francisco, which is an affiliation that allows for unique opportunities for dance students of both schools!
Her students have earned regional and national titles, qualified for World Championships, and discovered a passion for Irish dance that lasts a lifetime.
Most importantly, she believes every dancer deserves exceptional instruction, regardless of age, background, or experience level.
MEET CARA JUSTICE
Owner, Irish Dance Instructor
Excellence Through Experience
TEACHING STAFF
Cara Justice is supported by a teaching staff that has trained with some of the most prestigious and longest-running Irish Dance schools in the country and have competed at the highest levels of the sport.
Jackie Flynn
Jackie Flynn trained for 20 years with Ann Healy and her progeny at the Healy Irish Dance Studio in San Francisco, before opening the Jackie Flynn Irish Dance Academy in 2018. She won the Western US Regional Oireachtas, and qualified for the World Championships 13 times where she earned several medals as a soloist and on teams!
Amelia O’Shaughnessy
Amelia O’Shaughnessy founded the O’Shaughnessy Academy in 2018 in Agoura Hills, which evolved into The West Coast Irish Dance Academy when she joined forces with Cara and Jackie in 2026. Amelia competed with the O’Connor School of Irish Dancing under the direction of Bella Yerina for over 15 years. During her highly successful competitive career Amelia earned top placements at the regional, national and world level!
OUR CORE VALUES
The West Coast Irish Dance Academy is committed to developing exceptional dancers and exceptional people. Every class is an opportunity to build character, confidence, and lifelong friendships. These values guide everything we do.
01 | Smácht
Success isn't built overnight. We teach our dancers to embrace challenges, work with purpose, and persevere through setbacks. The habits developed in the studio—discipline, resilience, and determination—extend far beyond the dance floor.
02 | Aistear
Every dancer's journey is unique. We celebrate personal progress, encouraging a growth mindset that values effort and the confidence that comes from achieving goals through hard work.
03 | Urraim
Our studio is a place of learning and respect. We honor our teachers, classmates, and the rich tradition of Irish dance by showing up prepared, listening with intention, and treating our studio as a place where everyone can learn and thrive.
04 | Meitheal
Great dancers are never created alone. They are supported by teachers, teammates, families, and a community that believes in their potential. We foster a culture where dancers understand that together we accomplish more than any individual ever could.
05 | Misneach
Irish dance should inspire as much as it challenges. The friendships, performances, and memories made here are part of the magic that keeps dancers coming back year after year.
ACCREDITATIONS
Testimonials
Cara is not just one of the greatest dance teachers I've ever worked with--she's one of the greatest teachers of any kind, full stop. She has an impressive ability to read how her dancers are feeling, and she knows exactly what to say and do to get us through a tough competition or a miserable week where we're struggling through a new technique. Any time I've been ready to say "I can't," there is Cara, saying "yes you can, and here's how." Her indefatigable energy, technical expertise, and enormous love for dance and empathy for her dancers make her a joy to work with.
-Ryan, Champion Dancer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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