About Doherty Petri
The Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance blends tradition with excellence, offering structured instruction for dancers of all ages and skill levels in a supportive, professional environment.
We maintain a disciplined yet encouraging atmosphere, blending opportunities for international travel with local community outreach, nurturing young dancers’ development and fostering a lifelong appreciation for Irish culture. The school provides a comprehensive program that balances competitive training and artistic expression, ensuring each student reaches their potential whether they dance recreationally or pursue competitive goals. We are proud to be an international program, with locations on the East Coast (New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania), in Ireland, and in Scotland, with a teaching staff dedicated to our dancers’ success.
Originally from San Diego, California, Tehya Baxter moved to New York in 2014, where she began a career developing curriculum & working as an academic coach for a tutoring company; she has since co-authored a book detailing successful reading strategies and is now the company’s Director of Operations. She graduated from UCLA's World Arts & Cultures/Dance program in 2012, with minors in Education, French, and Visual & Performing Arts Education. The following year, she earned her Masters Degree in Education and teaching credentials from the University of California: San Diego.
As a part of the "Riverdance generation," she began Irish dancing at the age of 8 with the Harney School and was a part of figure choreography teams that placed Top 3 at the All Irelands and the North American Nationals while a part of the Comerford School. She began dancing for Butler-Fearon-O'Connor when she went to college and is eternally grateful for the mentorship & support of Rose Fearon and Meghan McConellogue (Matsukane).
In 2014, Tehya moved to New York and began dancing with Doherty-Petri. Her very successful solo competitive career spanned nearly twenty years, with medals from every major international championship (Worlds, All Irelands, Great Britains, British Nationals, All Scotlands, and North American Nationals), culminating in 2018 with a Top 10 finish at the All Irelands and the achievement of her life-long dream: becoming a World Medal Holder. As a professional dancer, she has been a part of several national tours, including as a co-dance captain, choreographer, and lead dancer.
Tehya passed her TCRG in Dublin in January 2019 and was honored to be invited to be a part of Doherty-Petri to teach alongside her own teachers whose mentorship has shaped her life immensely both in and out of the studio. She fell in love with dancing two decades ago and feels it is such a gift to be in a position to share her passion with the next generation, helping every student not only reach their full potential in dancing but also embrace the camaraderie, travel, and life lessons inherent in this incredible world.
Start dancing with us.
Whether your child is taking their very first class or training to compete at the World Championships, our program is designed to support every stage of growth.
As part of the internationally recognized Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance, our San Diego dancers are connected to a global network of schools with a shared standard of excellence, tradition, and achievement.
We welcome dancers starting as young as age 4, with beginner-friendly classes that focus on building confidence, coordination, and a love of movement—no experience required.
As children grow from brand-new beginners learning their very first steps to champions competing on international stages, our community creates a space for dancers to build character, courage, and life-long friendships.
We offer Beginner Classes at two locations:
West Coast Dance Complex - Carmel Valley
5550 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92130
5705 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92037
Start as young as 4 years old.
Join our internationally recognized training program.
Doherty Petri San Diego Feis
Each year, we proudly host the Doherty Petri San Diego Feis—bringing together dancers, families, and schools from across the country for a weekend of competition and community.
Whether you're stepping onto the stage or cheering from the sidelines, the feis is a celebration of dedication, culture, and connection.
200
dancers competing
30+
dance schools in attendance
2
days of competition
Enrollment for our June 27-28, 2026 Feis will open soon on FeisWorx.com. We are delighted to return to the MiraCosta College Concert Hall in Oceanside this year!
Hire us for your next event.
We bring the spirit of Irish dance to you. From SeaWorld and Seaport Village to One Paseo, parades and restaurants to private events, libraries and retirement homes to community centers, our dancers’ professional resumes are extensive. The San Diego location of the Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance would love to perform for you.
