Business Details
16 Years
experience
Celebrating Celtic Arts & Culture Year-Round
Founded by Ren and Carolyn Cusson, Celtic Performing Arts is dedicated to preserving and promoting Celtic cultural traditions through immersive educational programs and dynamic performances. Our organization combines decades of personal experience in Highland music and dance camps with a passion for intergenerational learning. We offer year-round workshops in piping, drumming, Celtic dance, Gaelic language, and traditional arts, taught by award-winning instructors from around the globe. Our mission extends beyond education to community enrichment through public concerts, cultural events, and partnerships with local organizations. With a focus on accessibility and inclusivity, we provide both full-time summer programs and flexible evening classes for all skill levels.Our partnerships with institutions like the District 5050 Pipe Band Society and Canadian College of Performing Arts ensure high-quality programming. Through student bursaries and volunteer opportunities, we foster community engagement while maintaining financial transparency. Our track record of hosting internationally renowned artists and performers underscores our commitment to cultural excellence. With over a decade of operation, we continue to evolve while staying true to our founders' vision of celebrating Celtic heritage. Our team's combined expertise in event management and artistic instruction ensures memorable experiences for participants and audiences alike.
Services
Summer School Programs
Year-Round Workshops
Cultural Performances
Private Instruction
Event Bookings
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer instruction from internationally recognized Celtic artists and performers
- Our programs combine traditional techniques with modern pedagogical approaches
- We maintain partnerships with cultural institutions across Canada and Scotland
- Our summer school has hosted world-class instructors for over a decade
- We provide financial support through student bursary programs
What people say
Highlight of my family's summer
Not long enough
Professionalism and passion
Memorable evening
Fabulously talented troupe
Services
Summer School Programs
Our week-long summer school offers intensive instruction in piping, drumming, and Celtic dance for all skill levels. Students benefit from personalized attention in state-of-the-art facilities while learning from master instructors. The program combines technical training with cultural education through evening ceilidhs and performances.
Year-Round Workshops
Continuing education opportunities include monthly workshops in traditional Celtic arts, language, and music. These sessions maintain our summer school's quality standards while offering flexible scheduling for local participants. Topics range from beginner's piping to advanced stepdance techniques.
Cultural Performances
We organize concerts and ceremonial performances featuring professional Celtic musicians and dancers. These events showcase both emerging talent and established artists from Scotland, Cape Breton, and Vancouver Island. Proceeds support our educational programs and student bursaries.
Private Instruction
Personalized lessons in piping, drumming, and dance are available year-round through our affiliated instructors. These sessions cater to individual learning paces and performance goals, with options for in-person or virtual instruction.
Event Bookings
Our professional troupe provides Celtic entertainment for weddings, festivals, and corporate events. Services include Highland dancers, pipers, and traditional musicians customizable to event themes and audience sizes. Honorariums support our community programs.
People
Ren Cusson
Co-Founder & Piping Instructor
Internationally recognized piper with over 20 years teaching experience at camps in Idaho, BC, and Alberta. Developed curriculum for our piping programs and mentors students from beginner to competition levels.
Carolyn Cusson
Co-Founder & Dance Director
Celtic dance specialist with expertise in Highland and Cape Breton styles. Organizes our summer school programming and has performed with professional musicians' tours across North America and Scotland.
Questions
What types of Celtic classes do you offer?
We provide instruction in piping, drumming, Highland dance, Gaelic language, and traditional crafts through summer schools and year-round workshops.
Are there family-friendly programs available?
Our summer school includes youth camps and family-oriented evening events with activities suitable for all ages.
How can I book a Celtic performance?
Contact Carolyn or Ren Cusson directly to discuss performance requirements and availability for weddings, festivals, or corporate events.
Do you offer financial assistance for students?
Yes, we maintain bursary funds supported by performance honorariums and community donations to help with tuition costs.
What locations do you serve?
Our primary programs operate on Vancouver Island with summer schools in Victoria and community events across Nanaimo and Oak Bay.