History of the Academy

Sue Beaton (Liz and Fiona's mother) commenced teaching in Canberra in 1956 after emigrating from Belfast, Ireland.  Liz and Fiona danced from the age of 4 years and competed in State and Australian Championships until the untimely death of Sue in 1980.  From Sue's obituary:

"Apart from the pupils who learnt at the Sue Beaton School of Irish Dancing, Mick Jagger and the cast of "Ned Kelly" were coached by Mrs Beaton in 1969.

The Beatons arrived in Australia from Belfast in 1951, and their neighbours in Narrabundah (Canberra) were soon learning jigs and reels.  Along with the five Beaton children, the pupils of St Joseph's Primary School, O'Connor were also taught Irish dancing.

Mrs Beaton's efforts led to the separation of Irish from Scottish dancing in the Canberra and Goulburn eisteddfods, and to the introduction of traditional Irish folk dancing to the Monaro Folk Society.

In 1975, Mr and Mrs Beaton travelled overseas with two of their children to learn new dancing steps and improve her school.  Mrs Beaton returned to Ireland in 1978 with her two daughters and an advanced pupil, Julianne Driscoll, to compete in the Irish Dancing World Championships in Dublin.

On their return to Australia, she entered her pupils in the Australian championships, where they won some top placings.

Mrs Beaton was a foundation member of the Canberra Irish Club and served on the committee in the early 1970s.  The Beatons were also members of the Irish-Australia Association in the early 1950s"

Following Sue's death, Fiona continued to dance under the tuition of Liz (TCRG 1983) and they both achieved High Distinctions in their teaching certificate (Fiona, 1990).  Liz attained her Adjudicator's Certificate in 1990.  They both completed their competition dancing careers with a placing of 5th in Australia.

Liz and Fiona now hold classes at their Jamison Studio for dancers of all levels from beginner through to open.

Dancers from the Academy have achieved great success with achievements such as Australian solo and team titles, State Champion solo dancers and team dancers, New Zealand Championship, qualified and placed in North American Championships and the World Championships.