Mel Ryan School — Dance and Drama Classes in Dublin

Nurturing Young Talent Since 2011

The Mel Ryan School was founded with a simple mission: to provide a supportive and inspiring environment where children can discover the joy of dance and drama while building confidence, creativity, and valuable life skills.

Our experienced teachers are passionate about nurturing each child's unique talents and helping them grow not just as performers, but as individuals. We believe that the skills learned through dance and drama—discipline, teamwork, self-expression and resilience—extend far beyond the studio or the stage.

From our nurturing environment to our close-knit community, every aspect of the Mel Ryan School is designed to celebrate each student's journey. Whether taking their first tentative steps into a classroom or preparing for our end-of-year show in the Mill Theatre in Dundrum, students discover that learning is a joyful adventure filled with friendship, achievement, and personal growth.

350+

Happy Students

14+

Years Experience

24+

Classes a Week

Venues

Theatre performance with dramatic lighting

Our Classes

Discover a range of dance and drama classes designed to inspire and challenge students of all ages and abilities.

Children’s Classes

3-5 years

Teddy Bears

Our Teddies class is a magical one-hour adventure where your child takes their first playful steps in singing, acting, and creative movement. It's a wonderfully nurturing space for tiny performers to explore their imagination, make new friends, and discover important life skills through the pure joy of the performing arts.

Jr & Sr Infants

Panda Bears

Our Panda Bear class offers junior and senior infants a vibrant one-hour session to leap into singing, acting, and dance. It's designed to spark their imagination, build foundational performance skills, and seamlessly integrate essential life skills, helping them grow confidence, make friends and have fun!

6-8 years

Juniors

Our Junior class offers 6-8 year olds a dynamic two-hour session to truly unleash their inner performer! The first hour hones their singing, acting, and stage skills, integrated with important life skills, while the second hour dives into an energetic Musical Theatre dance and Hip-Hop class, building both performance ability and self-expression.

8-10 years

Seniors

Our Seniors class is a lively two-hour programme for 8-10 year olds who are ready to dive into the world of singing, acting, and dance! The first hour is dedicated to developing their performance abilities, all while using theatre and vocal training to build important life skills. The second hour is a high energy class where they will learn Musical Theatre and Hip-Hop technique in a fun and supportive environment.

10-11 years

Tweens

Our Tweens class offers 10-11 year olds a stimulating two-hour foray into the world of theatre and dance, refining their singing, acting, and stage presence with fun and engaging performance training. The first hour blends performance technique with essential life skills development, followed by a high-energy second hour of dynamic Musical Theatre and Hip-Hop dance.

12-13 years

Junior Teens

The 'Junior' Teens class is a dynamic two-hour programme for 12-13 year olds, honing their singing, acting, and stage skills for confident and engaging performances. The first hour provides a unique blend of refined performing arts training and critical life skills, while the second hour ignites their passion with high energy Musical Theatre and Hip-Hop dance encouraging creativity and self-expression, as well as focus on technical execution.

14-17 years

Senior Teens

Our 'Senior' Teens class is a comprehensive two-hour programme for 14-17 year olds, designed to develop their singing, acting, and stage skills for truly impactful performances and future aspirations. The first hour integrates sophisticated life skills with performance technique and artistry, while the second hour offers a high-level experience in Musical Theatre and Hip-Hop dance, cultivating technical skills and unique self-expression.

Adult Classes

Adults (Beginners Level 1)

Adult Drama for Beginners – Level 1

A fun, no-pressure weekly course to explore drama, creativity, and self-expression while building confidence, communication, empathy and useful life skills—time just for YOU.

Adults (Level 2)

Adult Drama – Level 2

An 8‑week follow‑on of 90‑minute evening classes in acting technique, stagecraft, improvisation and character development for graduates of Level 1 or similar training.

Adults (Advanced Group)

Adult Drama Group

An advanced weekly 90‑minute evening class in acting technique, stagecraft, improvisation and character development, with opportunities to perform at festivals.

Adults (One Day Workshop – Level 1)

Presentation & Performance Skills for Adults: Level 1

One‑day workshop—no experience necessary. Overcome fear of public speaking, brush up presentation skills and boost confidence in a supportive setting.

Adults (One Day Workshop – Level 2)

Presentation & Performance Skills for Adults: Level 2

One‑day workshop—participants must complete Level 1 or have basic experience; deepen performance and presentation technique to become an outstanding presenter.

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Timetable

September 2025-26 class schedules across all our locations. Contact us to book your place!

Mount Merrion Community Centre

Musical Theatre & Hip Hop

Monday

3pm-4pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5 yrs)

4pm-6pm

Juniors (Age 6-8 yrs)

Saturday

11am-1pm

Juniors (Age 6-8yrs)

12-1pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5yrs)

1pm-2pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5yrs)

1pm-3pm

Juniors (Age 6-8yrs)

2pm-4pm

Seniors (Age 9-10yrs)

3pm-5pm

Tweens (Age 10-11yrs)

4pm-6pm

'Junior' Teens (11-13yrs)

5pm-7pm

'Senior' Teens (14-18yrs)

Sunday

12-1pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5yrs)

1pm-2pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5yrs)

2pm-4pm

Juniors (Age 6-8yrs)

Scout Hall Mount Merrion

Musical Theatre & Hip Hop

Tuesday

1.30pm-2.30pm

Jun/Sen Infants (4-6yrs)

Friday

1.30pm-2.30pm

Jun/Sen Infants (4-6yrs)

2.30pm-4.30pm

Juniors (6-8yrs)

Saturday

3pm-4pm

Teddy Bear Club (3-5yrs)

4pm-6pm

Seniors (9-11yrs)

Mounttown Community Facility, Monkstown

Musical Theatre & Hip Hop

Tuesday

3pm-4pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5 yrs)

4pm-6pm

Juniors (Age 6-8 yrs)

4pm-6pm

Seniors (Age 8-10yrs)

Samuel Beckett Civic Centre, Carrickmines

Musical Theatre & Hip Hop

Thursday

3pm-4pm

Teddy Bear Club (Age 3-5 yrs)

4pm-6pm

Juniors (Age 6-8 yrs)

4pm-6pm

Seniors (Age 8-10 yrs)

4pm-6pm

'Junior' Teens (Age 11-13 yrs)

Our Teachers

Meet our dedicated team who are passionate about nurturing young talent and building confidence through dance and drama.

Bryana Tunder

Director & Teacher

Bryana has been on a stage dancing and acting since she was 4 years old. She has trained in everything from tap to Latin ballroom, but her passion lies in Hip Hop and she has been performing and choreographing for nearly three decades. Her love of musical theatre grew in tandem and she has been heavily involved in everything from performance and choreography to costumes and setbuilding since 2001.

She studied theatre at UC Santa Barbara, California, where she also performed on their award-winning hip hop dance team. From 2009-2013, she was lucky enough to make her passion a full time job through Cascade Canyon School where she got to emphasise the performing arts as a tool to instil confidence, self-expression and personal growth in primary and secondary school children. In 2013, she moved to Ireland where she completed her PhD at Trinity, biding time until she could return to the thing she loves most: helping young people gain essential life skills, like resilience, empathy and leadership, while building a life-long love and passion for the performing arts.

Bryana joined the Mel Ryan team in 2019 as a teacher and has been the director since 2023.

Ciara Lyons

Teacher

Ciara is best known as playing lead roles in the Gaiety Panto such as TinkerBell (Peter Pan), Cinderella (Cinderella), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Rosie (The Snow Queen), and Rapunzel (Rapunzel). She has also performed in the West End, including the lead role of Alyssa in a new musical Wish List (Soho Place, West End), Roles We'll Never Play (West End Live), and Dance Captain in the Olivier Nominated show, Blippi The Musical (Lyric Theatre West End).

Ciara has a BA in English & Drama Studies from UCD, a Licentiate Teaching Diploma from the Leinster School of Music & Drama, and studied Musical Theatre from the International College of Musical Theatre in New York.

Ali Lyons

Teacher

Ali has been trained in drama and dance since a young age. Her performance credits include: Johanna in The Game Of Thrones (HBO), Electra in CATS (Helix Theatre), Rose in Reign (Netflix), Tilly in Bugsy Malone (National Concert Hall), Annie (National Concert Hall), Dance Captain in Legally Blonde (Helix Theatre), Annie (Helix Theatre), La Boheme (NCH), Carmen (NCH), Oliver (NCH) and MoveIt in the ExCel Theatre in London.

She was the Dance Captain/Choreographer in Trinity Musical Theatre productions of Sweeney Todd, Mamma Mia and Guys & Dolls (Trinity College Dublin).

Ali has been teaching in the Mel Ryan School since 2020 and absolutely loves working here with the amazing staff and students!

Aisling Breen

Teacher

Aisling is a Dublin based performer and teacher.

Theatre appearances include "Shaz" in 'Tinder the Comedy' (Tivoli Theatre/Olympia Theatre/UK tour). "Resident Director/Understudy" 'Menopause The Musical' (UK Tour). "Mrs Pugh" in 'Annie', "Lina Lamont" in 'Singin' In The Rain', "Ensemble and U/S Miss Lynch/Jan" Grease (at Cork Opera House). "Sunshine Suzy" in 'The Snow Queen', "Slip" in 'The Little Mermaid', Shakira/Velma in Jungle Book and have played many characters in the The Gaiety Theatre, including one of the ugly sisters in the 2023 Panto.

Television and film productions include: Fair City(Marina Delaney), Apres Match. Commercials for Aldi, Glohealth, Dunnes Stores and An Post.

Aisling is also a trained dancer/choreographer and has worked on many tv shows and films in Ireland as part of the dance/movement team. These appearances include Penny Dreadful, Vikings Valhalla, The Last Duel, Tudors, Camelot and Fame The Musical. Aisling was the Movement Director on the play "A Day in May" and assisted the choreographer on the musical "Angel Of Broadway".

Aisling is passionate about helping students overcome performance anxiety and focuses on confidence & resilience building in class.

Astrid Courtney

Teacher

Astrid studied Drama & Theatre Studies and followed on to complete her Associate Diploma in Drama Teaching with the Leinster School of Music & Drama. She is also a qualified Montessori teacher and trained in Child Protection and Child Welfare. She worked in Vancouver for a year where she directed plays and was was involved in an out-reach drama programme for teens in disadvantaged areas. She also has worked extensively as a stage manager for many theatres throughout Ireland including The Abbey Theatre.

With over 17 years drama teaching experience, Astrid is specialised in teaching life skills through the medium of drama, music and public speaking and is passionate about building confidence and resilience in young people.

Mel Ryan

Founder

Mel studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, The Gaiety School of Acting, The Bill Keating Centre for TV Presentation Skills and Carr Communications.

She has been playing leading roles in The Gaiety Theatre, The National Concert Hall, The Olympia Theatre, The Cork Opera House, The Wexford Opera House among others in Ireland for over 30 years. She has also presented many concerts in the National Concert Hall, The Pavilion Theatre and Jury's Hotel. TV, Radio and Film Credits include: The Late Late Show, Prime Time, Theatre Nights (all for RTE), the Mum in Turkle (RTE), Mother in Fantabulous! (IADT), Stella in Aisling's Diary (CR Productions/RTE) and Aine in Graham Jones's latest feature film, Davin. Commercials for Supervalue, A1 Waste, Meteor, Vodafone, Ebookers and Moypark Chicken, Pinergy and Paddy Power (RTE/ TV3).

Mel founded the school in 2011 with two students and is proud to say that the school now has nearly 400 students in four venues in South County Dublin. She has three grown up children and has always had a special interest in mentoring young people. She is completely dedicated to helping them believe in themselves and to feel that they are capable of achieving more than they realise. She is also very passionate about supporting teenagers through the challenges and pressure of secondary school years.

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What Our Community Says

Hear from our students and parents about their experiences at the Mel Ryan School.

A happy safe place that builds life skills

"My daughter who is now 14 has attended Mel Ryan classes for the past seven years. During this time she has always loved attending her Saturday afternoon classes and now calls the classes her 'happy safe place'. I have seen her confidence in singing dancing and performing growing during this time and our house is always full of singing and dancing as she practices, particularly in preparation for the annual show. Importantly, the Life Skills aspect of the Mel Ryan classes is invaluable. I'm delighted to see my daughter now working with the younger children and continuing to learn and embed these skills. In her own words "there is no judgement or competition at Mel Ryan and you also learn good morals". I would highly recommend these classes to any parent considering a drama school for their child."

Julie Goss

Parent

WHAT A SHOW!

"You guys definitely know how to let children be themselves and have fun and find themselves in that exploration. What a journey it has been for Anika. She said it was the best day of her life. Even better than her birthdays. It takes a lot of joy for a six year old to say that. Because of how you teach them to interact with adults, Anika has become extremely conversational with adults and has loads more confidence. Thank you for all of this and giving your precious time for my most precious treasure. Thank you for polishing her."

Sneha Sinha

Parent

Cannot recommend the Mel Ryan School enough

"I cannot recommend the Mel Ryan School enough. The opportunities, care and support provided has been invaluable to both of my girls. Resilience, empathy and kindness are at the core of the Mel Ryan School school and I'm so grateful we found it for our girls."

Angela Irish

Parent

My journey with the Mel Ryan School started as a student

"My journey with the Mel Ryan School started as a student. I was looking for an environment that felt like a safe space to build self-confidence and individuality, and I found exactly that when I began to attend classes. The lessons and end of year shows quickly became places where I could be myself and they really brought me out of my shell. And from then to now, going from attending the school to working as a teaching assistant, being a part of creating that environment and watching young people build on their own creativity and confidence gives me so much fulfilment and has taught me so much."

Julie Ruane

Student

Before Mel Ryan, I was a shy, anxious girl

"Before Mel Ryan, I was a shy, anxious girl fresh out of lockdown. I had no clue what I wanted to do in life, then I joined and everything changed. I met people I will call friends for life, and have found myself over my years in the school. I'm now on my path to college, hoping to study arts management and work at the school to help give kids the same experience that changed my life."

Sofia Held

Student

They were absolutely brilliant in the show

"They were absolutely brilliant in the show. Each and every one of the children were shining stars! There was huge excitement from my two and they thoroughly enjoyed their moment of stardom! Delighted with themselves coming home!"

Clíona

Parent

Thanks for a wonderful event this evening

"Thanks for a wonderful event this evening. All the performers were brilliant and more importantly they all seemed so happy and energised by the whole experience."

Yvonne Doyle

Parent

What a show - we were blown away

"What a show- we were blown away by the whole thing but especially the joy and energy of every single performer. Sofia has learnt and grown so much since September and that all starts with you and your team. We really can't thank you enough."

Lisa Held

Parent

My daughter Ava first started Mel Ryan school at the age of 3

"My daughter Ava first started Mel Ryan school at the age of 3, and a decade later Ava is still loving her weekly classes! The ethos of Mel Ryan school is so important to us and is clearly prevalent in the annual show in the Mill Theatre. The annual show is always fantastic to watch and enjoyed by all."

Niamh Ryan

Parent

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Get in Touch

Have questions about our classes or want to learn more about the Mel Ryan School? We'd love to hear from you! Fill out the form or use our contact details to get in touch.

Phone

+353 86 837 2364

Email

melryanschool@gmail.com

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