Dance Performers

McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas

The McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas, under the direction of Mrs. Maureen McTeggart Hall, ADCRG, and with weekly instruction from Christie New, TCRG, practice in the Colleyville area. Dancers from the school perform throughout the North Texas area at major cultural events to promote and keep alive traditional Irish dancing. The students compete against dancers from all across the United States when they attend a Feis, traveling to such cities as New Orleans, Houston, Denver, Oklahoma City, Austin, and San Antonio. Qualifying students also compete at the Southern Region Oireachtas, the North American Nationals and internationally in England and Ireland. The McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas are the sponsors of the annual Texas State Championships and Feis in March. Students of all ages are welcome to join for instruction in both competitive and non-competitive dancing.

For information contact Sheila Heierman minnie2005@verizon.net.

Shandon Irish Dancers

Under the instruction and direction of Kay LaGreca TCRG, Shandon is a certified school of traditional Irish step and ceili dancing in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, registered with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (the Irish Dancing Commission) and the Irish Dance Teachers of North America Southern Region. Our classes meet weekly in Plano and Fort Worth. The Plano studio is located in Dance Depot at the corner of Park and Los Rios. Classes in Fort Worth meet in the dance room at Nolan Catholic High School, located just off of Interstate 30 at Oakland. Dancers of all ages and abilities learn Irish Dancing in a supportive and caring environment.

For information contact shandonschool@yahoo.com. www.shandonirishdancers.com

Emerald School of Irish Dance

Under the direction of Dublin born Emily Touzin, The Emerald School of Irish Dance began in Montpelier, Vermont in 1968 with 35 students. After 4 years in Houston, the school moved to Dallas, TX where it has been since 1977. Studios in Grand Prairie / Arlington were added in 1996 and in Lewisville in 2000, directed by Emily's daughter, Leslie Middleton, TCRG. Students of all ages enjoy learning the art of Irish step dancing at the Emerald School of Irish Dance. Competitive classes for Beginners through Championship are available for serious competitors. Or maybe you are looking for the fun of a recreational class for children to adult age. Studios are located in Dallas, Lewisville, Arlington and Ft. Worth, Texas.

Directors Emily Touzin & Leslie Middleton, TCRG. info@emeraldschool.com. www.emeraldschool.com/

Jackson Irish Dancers

Jackson Irish Dancers, founded in 1998, is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to spread knowledge, enjoyment and understanding of traditional Irish dance through instruction, performance, and social gathering. In other words, we started this group so we’d have more folks to dance with, and we hope you’ll join us on the dance floor! Under the direction of Catherine Bishop, TCRG, our performances feature set dances, céilí dances, and solo dancing. JID thanks Jackson-based Bounds Street for providing great music for us again this year.

Visit www.jacksonirishdancers.org for information on classes, performances, and other events.

Hibernia Irish Dance Company

The Hibernia School of Irish Dance opened in 2000 and operates under the direction of Erin Reid TCRG, certified step dance and ceili dance instructor by the Commission of Irish Dance in Dublin, Ireland: An Coimisizn le Rincm Gaelacha. The Hibernia School of Irish Dance offers an education, ranging from traditional to modern, in competitive solo and team Irish Dancing. We offer a friendly and dynamic learning environment for all students. Classes for the less competitive dancer, seeking exercise or Irish cultural exploration are also a part of the Hibernia School curriculum. Proper technique and practice are emphasized for serious and casual students alike.

For information, contact Erin Reid at director@dancehibernia.com. www.dancehibernia.com

San Antonio Irish Dancers

The San Antonio Irish Dancers are a non profit 501 (c)(3) corporation. The specific purposes for which the corporation is organized are to establish an educational and instructional organization open to all persons who are interested in the teaching, performing and preservation of Irish traditional dancing, at both competitive and noncompetitive levels, and in related aspects of Irish music & culture. The San Antonio Irish Dancers started in 1976. They have performed all over the United States, and perform regularly at retirement communities, schools, parades and festivals in the San Antonio community including Folklife Festival.

For information, contact Tom Macken at tmacken@satx.rr.com. www.sanantonioirishdancers.com/

Kieran Jordan - Sean Nós Irish Dance Workshop

Kieran Jordan lives in Boston where she works as a performer, teacher, and choreographer of Irish dance. With more than 25 years of dance experience, her unique approach to the dance marries deep-rooted traditions with contemporary innovations. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Kieran has a BA in English/Irish Studies from Boston College; an MA in Contemporary Dance Performance from the University of Limerick, Ireland; and the TCRG certificate for teaching Irish dance./p>

As a solo performer, Kieran has developed a musical and expressive style, incorporating traditional Irish dance technique with various other styles – sean-nós Irish dance, Cape Breton step dance, and modern dance. She has collaborated with some of today’s finest players of traditional Irish music, and has performed in concerts and festivals in Canada, Sweden, Ireland, and throughout the US.

KKieran directs and choreographs Kieran Jordan Dancers (her student performing group), and collaborates with other professional dancers on varied performance projects. She is Dance Director for the “WGBH Christmas Celtic Sojourn,” and she will be featured in that production’s DVD release — “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Live” – on Rounder Records. Kieran also produces dance events for the ICONS Festival at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England. Kieran is also performing at this year’s NTIF with The Matt and Shannon Heaton band on the Trinity stage. www.kieranjordan.com

Michael and Susan Harrison - éilí Dance Workshop and Céilí Callers

Michael and Susan met as dancers at Scarborough Faire. After Riverdance brought Irish dancing into the cultural spotlight, Michael and Susan found an Irish dance school in 1997 that welcomed adults, and they were soon hooked on step dance and céilí. Susan earned her TMRF, a céilí dance instructor certification, from An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha in January 2007.

Travel to Ireland introduced Michael and Susan to Irish set dancing, which they study and practice as much as possible locally and via dance conventions across the country. They perform annually at the North Texas Irish Festival with the Emerald School of Irish Dance and call the céilí at the festival. They also teach set and céilí dancing weekly via the Plano Parks and Recreation Department, and they organize and call frequent céilís for the Southwest Celtic Music Association.

Lone Star Céilí Band

The Lone Star Céilí Band (LSCB) is one of Texas’ custodians of traditional Irish music and dance. Reflecting a growing heritage of Texans who perform the timeless music and dance of Ireland, the LSCB dedicates itself to promoting these arts to the general public at venues throughout the Southwest. The ensemble gives a worthy representation of traditional “ceili” bands as found in Ireland. The members of LSCB are accomplished players of traditional Irish music. Each performs with other ensembles encompassing a wide-range of musical interests and styles. But because of their common love for playing music for dancers, they formed LSCB in the fall of 2000 and immediately became a dance band in demand whether the venue is a céilí or a contra dance.

FFor most of its stage performances, the band is joined by a number of Irish step dancers to demonstrate the important bond that exists between the dance and music of Ireland. The Lone Star Céilí Band will be performing music for the Saturday evening céilí on the Emerald Dance Stage. The Lone Star Céilí Band accepts a variety of engagements: céilís, contra dances, stage shows, festivals, celebrations, weddings, and more. It also can provide music and/or Céilí dance workshops. For bookings, contact Ken Fleming at lonestar@trad-music.com.