Firstly, let me tell you that I’m a native of Dublin, Ireland. I started dancing at the age of 9-years and immediately fell in love with it. As a young child I’d hide behind my Mother’s back if someone tried to talk to me. I was so shy. The experience of dancing really gave me much confidence, beginning with my first time stepping into a dance class.
I’ve been teaching dance professionally for over 25-years in Ireland. Recently I’ve come to live in the USA. My husband and I live in Billings, Montana. I’m a member of one of the largest Irish dance organizations in the world. The name is a long one, Comhdhail Na Muinteoiri Le Rinci Gaelacha Teoranta (Congress of Irish Dance Teachers). At present I hold the position with them, Vice-Chairperson of the Branch of the Americas.
Over the years I’ve taught more students than eating a lifetime of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners! Some students have danced for fun and fitness, while others have reached to world class competitive standards, producing All-Ireland and International World champion dancers. Some of my past students have gone on to become professional dancers, even performing with the famous Riverdance troupe.
Whether it is instructing younger or older children, girls or boys, I see directly on the faces of my students the answer to why Irish Dance has a magnetic appeal the world over. I’ve been witness through the years to the wonder and benefits of this unique, traditional style of dancing upon a child’s confidence. The personal benefits and the character improvements instilled in my students also includes an artistic love of dance, self-discipline, body control, and a beauty and grace of movement. It is truly a privilege to share my God-given talent with so many children. I am witness and I personally view on a daily basis the incremental and monumental growth my students undergo every dance lesson because of their commitment and their dedication.
Teaching is my passion. When I’m 6-feet under and I’m “pushing up the daisies,” I’d much more be satisfied if my written epitaph read…“A great role model and a mentor of young lives”…than “Here today, gone tomorrow, and nothing more in-between.” In retrospect, Irish Dance is the love of my life–-a real fairytale, a true waltz that’s breathtakingly beautiful. It is the gift that keeps giving back to me even when I least expect anything whatsoever in return. I suppose Irish dance has taught me to understand who I am, where I’m from, and where I plan to go. I am, no doubt, a better person because of it. And if it has done all these things for me, please imagine that it will do the same for you. I encourage all young people to take that first step, a high kick upwards, on to this dance floor of life’s challenges. Then and only then, will you achieve your purpose as a Lady or a Lord of the Dance. Amazingly, you do not even have to be Irish. And another thing, you do not even have to be a champion dancer. You are only asked to believe in yourself and to have a willingness to guide your mind and your body into your heart, all the while enjoying this special moment in time.
Thank you for taking a time-out and reading this brief bio about my life and my romance with Irish Dance.
I’ve been teaching dance professionally for over 25-years in Ireland. Recently I’ve come to live in the USA. My husband and I live in Billings, Montana. I’m a member of one of the largest Irish dance organizations in the world. The name is a long one, Comhdhail Na Muinteoiri Le Rinci Gaelacha Teoranta (Congress of Irish Dance Teachers). At present I hold the position with them, Vice-Chairperson of the Branch of the Americas.
Over the years I’ve taught more students than eating a lifetime of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners! Some students have danced for fun and fitness, while others have reached to world class competitive standards, producing All-Ireland and International World champion dancers. Some of my past students have gone on to become professional dancers, even performing with the famous Riverdance troupe.
Whether it is instructing younger or older children, girls or boys, I see directly on the faces of my students the answer to why Irish Dance has a magnetic appeal the world over. I’ve been witness through the years to the wonder and benefits of this unique, traditional style of dancing upon a child’s confidence. The personal benefits and the character improvements instilled in my students also includes an artistic love of dance, self-discipline, body control, and a beauty and grace of movement. It is truly a privilege to share my God-given talent with so many children. I am witness and I personally view on a daily basis the incremental and monumental growth my students undergo every dance lesson because of their commitment and their dedication.
Teaching is my passion. When I’m 6-feet under and I’m “pushing up the daisies,” I’d much more be satisfied if my written epitaph read…“A great role model and a mentor of young lives”…than “Here today, gone tomorrow, and nothing more in-between.” In retrospect, Irish Dance is the love of my life–-a real fairytale, a true waltz that’s breathtakingly beautiful. It is the gift that keeps giving back to me even when I least expect anything whatsoever in return. I suppose Irish dance has taught me to understand who I am, where I’m from, and where I plan to go. I am, no doubt, a better person because of it. And if it has done all these things for me, please imagine that it will do the same for you. I encourage all young people to take that first step, a high kick upwards, on to this dance floor of life’s challenges. Then and only then, will you achieve your purpose as a Lady or a Lord of the Dance. Amazingly, you do not even have to be Irish. And another thing, you do not even have to be a champion dancer. You are only asked to believe in yourself and to have a willingness to guide your mind and your body into your heart, all the while enjoying this special moment in time.
Thank you for taking a time-out and reading this brief bio about my life and my romance with Irish Dance.
