Meet McCann Dance | Ballroom and Social Dance Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with McCann Dance and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi McCann, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We believe that dancing provides a beautiful avenue for people to connect – to themselves, to the music, to each other. We have been teaching independently for years in Southern California, but saw that North County San Diego was missing a venue for partner dancing. With the hope to create a home for social dancing and build a community of people around a shared love of dance, we ventured into the world of small business ownership. In March of 2020, we got the keys and started to work on our studio here in Oceanside. The times were very difficult with the onset of COVID. Studios were closing, and people were missing the joys of dancing, exercise, social interaction, music, and friends. We were determined to power on and be ready for whenever people could resume social activities and get back to dancing! We wanted to give people a safe and fun environment where they could enjoy all the benefits of social or competitive dancing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We love teaching and sharing the joys of dancing, but we also love doing it ourselves! Stephen grew up in Dublin, Ireland, dancing and competing alongside his 3 older siblings, and winning most competitions across Europe. Elisa discovered ballroom slightly later, but was immediately hooked, and continued dancing, learning and competing through college and Law School. After 6 months of practicing law, she decided it was not for her, and packed up and moved to Southern California to be nearer her coach and dedicate herself fully to her dancing. We met through the dance world and Stephen was tempted to once again enter the competitive world of dancing. Together, we have placed in the final of the Blackpool Dance Festival twice and won several open national and international competitions. One of our proudest achievements was becoming Unites States Vice Champions and later World Professional Finalists for our Ballroom Showdance that wove Irish Dancing into traditional Ballroom to a medley of Riverdance music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, we would take them to Bucaneer Beach Cafe for some delicious avocado toast and loco moco. Then we would swing by Harbor Beach, where we were married, and spend the morning walking around the shops and enjoying the surf. Next, we would pick up the dogs and head to Agua Hedionda for more beach and paddle boarding. We always invite visitors to come by the studio in the evenings to try out one of our Group Classes, where they can learn a little dancing and meet some of the great people that make up our dance community. We’d finish the day at one of our favorite wine bars, Carruth Cellars, enjoying a beautiful evening under the stars with a glass of wine and whatever tasty food truck they have parked out back.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, we have our students to thank for everything. Especially those who have been with us for years and were so encouraging when we were opening the studio. We all tried to support each other through the lockdowns even when we couldn’t see each other. They gave us their undying support and we are forever grateful!

Website: https://www.mccanndance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccanndancesc/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccanndanceoceanside

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mccanndance