About Us
Ciara Dance School began in 2010
We teach children to know and trust their bodies. Dance gives movement structure — and skills that last far longer than the dancing years at Ciara.
We are an accredited private school in the heart of Tartu, offering systematic dance education from the age of 2. Our teachers are certified dance teachers who create a safe and creative environment where every student dares to grow.
Main styles: jazz, contemporary, ballet, show dance, children's dance and dance gymnastics. We perform at festivals in Estonia and neighbouring countries.
Licensed by the Ministry of Education and Research · Curriculum “Dance Education” (code 198938)
- 16
- seasons
- 1400+
- alumni
- 2–19
- children & youth
- 2018
- state-recognised school
A dance class that is always a little more than dance.
Care
We notice every child. A safe, supportive environment is the basis of our work.
Structure
A thoughtfully built curriculum and a clear path of development for every level.
The joy of dance
Alongside technique we keep the joy alive. It is what brings children back to class.
Our story
A mark across generations
Ciara was born in 2010 from a wish to create a place where a love of dance grows together with technique, courage and friendship. Carolin Arnold founded the school and leads it to this day. Over the years more than 1400 students have danced at Ciara, from toddlers to adults. Today the children of our very first graduates already dance here.
2010
Ciara begins
The first classes in Tartu.
2013
An official dance school
Ciara becomes a registered dance school.
2018
State-recognised school
The Ministry of Education and Research recognises Ciara as a private school.
2020
A dance-science direction
Teaching is grounded in dance science and healthy, injury-preventing training.
2025
Dance-technique syllabus
Work begins on a new syllabus to make technique training even more systematic.
2026
A fresh start
Renewing the brand and the website.
Teachers
Ciara is its people
We choose teachers both for their qualifications and for how they work with children. Every teacher carries on Ciara's evidence-based teaching.
Director, choreographer and dance teacher
Carolin Arnold
Founder and director of the school, she has taught around 1400 children over 15 years. She holds a professional Dance Specialist qualification (level 6) and studies at the Institute of Education at the University of Tartu. She teaches children's dance and Level I and II groups, creates choreography and coordinates the performances of the Ciara Show Troupe. Her focus is on safe technique, musicality and confident stage presence.
- Participant in IADMS conferences (Las Vegas 2025, Italy 2024) and the DanceWorks Studio mentorship programme (London 2023).
- Recognised as a “Joy-creating teacher” (Peaasi.ee, May 2024).
Dance-technique and ballet teacher, choreographer
Veronika Schmidt
She teaches dance technique, classical ballet and contemporary dance. As a dancer, Veronika trained for ten years at the Vanemuine Dance and Ballet School, the source of the precise classical foundation she passes on today. She holds a professional Dance Specialist qualification. She studies medicine at the University of Tartu, and thanks to those studies her dance technique is built on safe, body-aware and injury-preventing teaching. Under her guidance a child learns to move cleanly and consciously.
Dance-gymnastics teacher for the youngest children
Inge Arnold
She graduated from the Tartu Teachers' Seminary in 1991 and has over 30 years of teaching experience. She works as a class teacher at Tartu Private School. She has completed an intensive Shivanda yoga course and several Tallinn University courses on movement activities for young children.
Dance and gymnastics teacher, coach
Marleen Kalme
A member of ETTL and a registered assistant coach (gymnastics). She guides children from the age of 3 up to youth groups. She has completed EEVL's rhythmic-gymnastics judging course and studied nursing at Tartu Health Care College.
You'll find the instructors of the adult classes on the adults' page.
Quality
Recognised and grounded
Ciara's teaching is officially recognised and internationally connected.
Read about the curriculum- State-recognised private school since 2018
- Curriculum approved by the Ministry of Education and Research, code 198938
- Registered private school with a valid operating licence
- Built on ETHL quality principles
- Aligned with the national curriculum for preschool education
Performing is part of learning to dance
We don't dance for medals, but we're proud of them. The stage teaches focus, teamwork and courage that a classroom alone cannot. Recognition has come from both local stages and international festivals.
2× 1st place
Dance Revolution 2025
International festival in Lithuania
1st place
Spotlight Spring Special 2025
„Ei ole aega (eksida)”
9
competitions & festivals
From local to international
Unistus mu sees
Concert performance
Tartu New Theatre, June 2025
2024/2025 season results
Dance Revolution 2025International festival, Lithuania
- 1st place„Ei ole aega (eksida)”
- 1st place„Käte ümber jää”
- 6th place„Begging for mercy”
- 13th place„Piano Man”
Spotlight Spring Special 2025
- 1st place„Ei ole aega (eksida)”
- 2nd placeLissandra Peedu & Meribel Aanja„Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”
- 2nd place„Piano Man”
- 3rd place„Tantsulainel”
- 3rd place„Begging for mercy”
- 4th place„Käte ümber jää”
- 4th placeAnni Emilie Angerpikk„9 to 5”
- 4th–5th place„Laululinnuhaldjas”
Kuldne Karikas Grand Finale 2025
- 6th place„Piano Man”
- 7th place„Käte ümber jää”
- 8th place„Tantsulainel”
- Special prize„Sulistades spaas”“Sunlit, sparkling rays of joy”
Kuldne Karikas Suvefestival 2025
- Special prize„Laululinnuhaldjas”Cherry on top: “Your performance and choreography were delightfully airy”
- Special prize„Ei ole aega (eksida)”Cherry on top: “Your dance stood out with its special style and glamour”
- 4th placeAnni Emilie Angerpikk„9 to 5”
- 4th–5th placeLissandra Peedu & Meribel Aanja„Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”
DanceStar 2025
- Special prize„Sulistades spaas”For strong choreography and musicality
- 3rd place„Begging for mercy”
- 4th place„Käte ümber jää”
- 4th place„Piano Man”
- 4th placeLissandra Peedu & Meribel Aanja„Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”
- 5th place„Tantsulainel”
- 5th placeGabriela Palm & Elsee Britany Toover„In safe hands”
Koolitants 2025
- Special prize„Koos on mure kergem”A friendly, mutually supportive journey
- Special prize„Ei ole aega (eksida)”A spirited performance showcasing dance technique, with a clever costume choice
Emajõe Tantsumaagia Festival 2025
- Special prize„Laululinnuhaldjas”An elegantly technical performance with excellent use of props
- Special prize„Begging for mercy”A deeply meaningful performance, beautifully even in its timing
- Special prize„Tantsulainel”
Tähesära Tantsufestival 2024
- 2nd placeLissandra Peedu & Meribel Aanja„Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”
- 2nd placeAnrete Lindmägi„Not enough”
- 3rd placeLiisi Umda„Alice Imedemaal”
KATAd 2024
- Special prize„Sulistades spaas”The most masterfully performed act
The season was rounded off by the concert performance “Unistus mu sees” at the Tartu New Theatre, where every piece created over the year took the stage.
- Legal name
- MTÜ Tantsukool Ciara
- Registry code
- 80360706
- Swedbank
- EE412200221058151007