Our Story
Dance is an art, paint your dream and follow it.
~ Steven Thompson
Living Skies Irish Dance was started to realize Emily’s vision of an Irish dance school which is open to all, provides dancers with excellent training in a supportive environment, and curates excellent performances for audiences.
Committed to community, Living Skies gives back through performances at retirement and care homes and multiple other community events throughout the year.
As a dance company, Living Skies creates unique performances which celebrate the history and culture of Ireland and Irish dance. Performances take on a creative style when traditional Irish dance is fused with other styles of dance, and meets contemporary music. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming performances.
Emily Armer has been dancing for over 35 years! She has 30 years Irish dance experience, including more than 20 years of teaching Irish dance and operating Irish dance schools in Regina. Her classical ballet training, combined with yoga teacher training, means Emily is focused on providing safe dance and movement training with a strong focus on technique and skill development.
Involved in Regina’s Irish dance community since 1997, and teaching Irish dance in Regina since 2004, Emily has been a mainstay in the establishment and growth of the Irish dance community in the city.
As a dancer, Emily knows first-hand the benefits of an active childhood and the life-long benefits of dancing through childhood and into adulthood.
As a parent, Emily has a keen understanding of the importance of providing a safe and encouraging environment for her students. Living Skies Dance programming teaches children commitment, skills development, team work, self-discipline, confidence, growth of imagination, the importance of community involvement, and self confidence, in addition to learning dance steps for performance or competition.
Julie Apperley has been in the Irish dance community for over 10 years, with both recreational and competitive dance experience. She has a passion for teaching, and is working towards her Bachelors in Education while also working as an Educational Assistant. She has long dreamed of teaching both in the studio and in the classroom, and aspires to build a safe, welcoming, environment for the students while also focusing on injury prevention. She values the importance of physical activity to not only maintain physical health, fitness, and strength, but for the positive impact it can have on mental health and overall quality of life.
Outside of dance, she has a background in music having played the flute, violin, and cello throughout her teenage years and into early adulthood. This helps her provide an understanding of the musicality and rhythm required in dance. In the past she has also played basketball and volleyball, which has given her an understanding of the importance of a good team relationship and a supportive coaching environment.