Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers (TISD) is the oldest Irish Step Dance company in Tallahassee, FL. TISD is regionally known for performing both traditional Irish set dances and original Irish choreography by director David Jones. They perform in soft shoes and hard shoes, year-round, at events and gatherings of all sizes.

Meet the Teachers

David Jones

David founded the Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers in 2000. Along with Irish step dance, he also teaches modern and musical theatre.

David studied dance and math at Arizona State University. He has traveled the world choregraphing and dancing with a variety of dance companies. Locally, David is choreographer for many musicals for Theatre Tallahassee, Quincy Music Theatre, and several high schools.

Savanna Ray

Savanna began teaching at Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers in 2019. She primarily works with the TISD Kid and Teen Companies.

Savanna graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Social Work degree. As a child, she took ballet, jazz, and tap classes. Savanna started dancing with Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers in 2009 and has loved it ever since.

Evan Deering

Evan originally began teaching Irish in 2016 and is excited to start teaching again this year!

Evan graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Criminology degree. Evan began taking ballet and tap at 3 years old and has been dancing ever since. She started Irish at age 7 and fell in love. Evan is excited to share her passion with the wee lads and lasses coming into her class.

Hard Shoe vs Soft Shoe

We perform in both hard shoes and soft shoes. But what is the difference between the two?

Hard Shoe

Hard shoe dances are definitely a crowd favorite! With the fiberglass toes and heels attached to the leather shoes, dancers can make loud sounds as they move to the rhythm of the music.

Soft Shoe

Soft shoes provide a more graceful style of Irish step dance. Dancers are able to perform high leaps and kicks without the fear of slipping thanks to the suede solos attached to the bottom of the leather shoes.