Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance

Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance offers children’s dance classes that focus on Irish dance, including beginner, pre-beginner, and advanced classes, as well as private lessons. The program also offers a spring beginner class, spring beginners class, and spring pre-beginners class, along with an adult class, beginner adults class, advanced adults class, and adult ceili dancing.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Spring beginner classes run as a 4-week session, and pre-beginner classes run in 8-week sessions; children’s annual classes begin after Labor Day each September and run through June, with a celebration at the Dublin Irish Festival the first weekend of August and a break for the rest of August; the adult group class meets once weekly from September through July
• Price: SPRING BEGINNERS ages 6+ Mondays 4:30–5:15pm – $65 per dancer; SPRING PRE-BEGINNERS ages 3–5 Mondays 5:15–5:45pm – $50 per dancer; there is a required annual membership fee of $50 to the Columbus Celtic Dancers to participate in the adult class

The rich history of Richens/Timm began over 50 years ago when Ann Richens started traveling to Columbus from Dayton, Ohio to share her passion for Irish dance. Following Ann’s passing in 2011, Richens/Timm is directed by John Timm and his wife, Heather Timm. Ann Richens ADCRG is a native of Dublin, Ireland, John Timm captured the 1993 Senior Men’s World Championship title, and Heather Timm is also a Richens/Timm champion. The Richens/Timm Academy is described as one of the most recognizable and respected names in the world of Irish dance and as the most established and accomplished school in both central Ohio and central Indiana, and it has produced regional, national, All-Ireland, and World Championship title holders.

Richens/Timm states that it provides a fun, friendly, family atmosphere where each dancer is given a polished skill set to maximize individual potential and accomplish personal goals, whether performing at a grandparent’s nursing home, capturing a World Medal, or learning for the love of dance, and that there is a place for everyone in Richens/Timm. The program notes that there are few artistic disciplines in the world where students begin with the best, that dancers can join a pre-beginner session mid-year, that no experience is needed for the adult class, and that the adult group enjoys a mix of ages. The community involvement includes celebrating at the Dublin Irish Festival the first weekend of August and connecting adult dancers with the Columbus Celtic Dancers, which requires a $50 annual membership fee for participation in the adult class.

Last updated August 16, 2026.