Emerald School History

Under the direction of Dublin born Emily Touzin, The Emerald School of Irish Dance began in Montpelier, Vermont in 1968 with 35 students. After 4 years in Houston, the school moved to Dallas, TX where it has been since 1977. Studios in Grand Prairie / Arlington were added in 1996 and in Lewisville in 2000, directed by Emily’s daughter, Leslie Middleton, TCRG

The Emerald School became certified by The Irish Dance Commission in 2000 which qualifies our dancers to compete in Irish dance competitions all over the world. Our students began competing in Austin in May 2002 with great success. In 2 short years our students have been very successful in Irish dance competitions winning numerous awards throughout the state of Texas and the U.S. including Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, California and Washington.  In the first Oireachtas (Regional Championship) that our school entered in December 2004 one of our dancers qualified to compete at the World Championships in Ennis, Ireland and at the North American National Championships in Nashville, TN.

The Emerald School Senior Irish Dance Company dancers have performed shows all over Texas including the Bass Performance Hall in Ft. Worth and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in downtown Dallas.

Classes are held for competitive Irish dancers from Beginner to Championship and for those who dance for the sheer enjoyment of it.