I am a native of Galway and started dancing in the '60's with Rita White, (O'Shea-Chaplin, Boston ). After Rita emigrated, I continued my dancing career with the late Mairead O'Flaherty and Billy Griffin.
 
I enjoyed competitive dancing and competed at major feiseanna in Ireland, England, America and Canada.  I spent many enjoyable summers dancing in cabaret at the Great Southern Hotel, Galway .  In the early '70's I toured America and   France with an Irish Group called Ceoltoiri Moylough.
 
I still enjoy teaching dancing on a part-time basis.  I take great pride in the many successes and achievements of my own students.  My Adjudicating has brought me to many major events in Ireland , America and England all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Over the last two years I am very honoured and proud to be Chairperson of the Connacht Regional Council.

Seaneen Doherty
Ireland

Seaneen has been involved in Irish dancing since the age of 3 and after finishing her successful dancing career went on to become a teacher and an adjudicator. She teaches at the Doherty School in Belfast together with her brother Gavin and have produced many World Champions over the last few years. Seaneen wishes all the dancers competing at Nashville the best of luck.

Alison Reaney-Brown's roots are in Belfast but was born in Adelaide , Australia . She spent her early school years back in Belfast before immigrating to Canada .

She started dancing at the age of 10 with Brigid Grant in Mississauga , Ontario and finished her senior years with Rose Fearon. Her dancing career was highlighted by World drama team gold and silver medals.

Alison graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto in 1989 with a double specialist degree in Microbiology and Child Studies. She then completed her Bachelor of Education in 1990. She married and started teaching in the local Board of Education in the same year. In the school she was teaching in, Alison introduced a recreational program and was encouraged by senior mentors to write her TCRG exam.

In 1991, Alison brought Irish dancing back to Hamilton , Ontario with the opening of her first studio, teaching with her sister Siobhan Reaney-Briggs. She has also held executive positions with IDTAC - Eastern Region including Regional Director, Treasurer and Secretary and has co-chaired Oireachtas and North American events.

Achieving her ADCRG in 1996, Alison has adjudicated at a variety of National, World, and Regional events over the years and is honoured to be a part of this year's North American panel.

Hello Nashville!!! I would like to thank the IDTANE and its members for selecting me to adjudicate at this prestigious event.  I wish all the competitors, teachers, adjudicators, musicians, and parents a very memorable and successful National!!  Enjoy your time here as it is an opportunity to make memories that will last forever.

As a child in Belfast , I attended the Johnston School under the direction of Ellie Mulligan along with my brothers, Peter and Cyril.  Upon arriving in New York City in 1948, my brothers established the McNiff School .  It was with the help of Peter and Cyril that I went on to win many championship competitions here in North America .  As the McNiff Irish Dancers we had great times performing on early television shows as well as in concert halls throughout the United States .

My brothers Peter and Cyril (a founding member of the IDTANA) worked very hard to promote Irish Dancing in North America .  The result of their efforts was the founding of the IDTANA in March of 1964 along with Mae Butler, Fedelmia Davis, Kevin McKenna, Peter Smith and Anna O'Sullivan.

In addition to my full time job with an investment firm, I enjoy adjudicating and teaching step dancing and ceili dancing to both children and adults.  Presently, I am on the Executive Board of the IDTANA - Mid Atlantic Region.

Irish Dancing is a fulfilling past time which allows me to meet many wonderful people and affords me the opportunity to keep tradition alive!

From the Riverside City of Limerick. I started dancing at the age of four with well known Limerick Irish dancing teacher Frances Fleming T.C.R.G. A very successful dancing career followed which included placing at Oireachtas Rince Na Mumhan, Na HEireann and Oireachtas Rince Na Cruinne.

I sat my T.C.R.G exam in 1991 and formed the successful Fleming Ball School of Irish Dancing and in 2004 was successuful in passing the A.D.C.R.G exam. I have adjudicated many major events including the Great Britain Championships and the American National Championships.

I have a great love of Irish dancing, and am delighted to be chosen to adjudicate at the North American Championships.

My name is Noreen Duggan. I was born in Dublin and spent all my dancing years with Inis Ealga. I enjoyed my dancing and did cabarets throughout Ireland including Jury's which was most enjoyable. I left Dublin and spent twelve years in New Your and Long Island.

I returned home and I now live in Sligo. Here I became involved in Sligo Feis Ceoil and have been a member of the Connacht Comhairle for many years. This year I was elected to An Coimisiun which I enjoy very much. Wishing the Committee every success and looking forward very much to Nashville.

Sally started her career in dancing with Myrna Kennedy ADRCG and finished with Frances Teeces ADRG having placed at both National and International Level.  She achieved her TCRG in 1978 and her ADCRG in 1989.

Sally together with her sister Marjory are founders of the Glasgow Festival Of Irish dancing and it boasts one of the largest entries in Scotland.  Sally currently teaches her own school in Glasgow Scotland and is delighted to be invited to adjudicate the North American Chapionships

Russell J. Beaton, ADCRG, born in Boston , Massachusetts , at age ten began studying Irish dancing with Mary Costello Madden, TCRG, who was to remain his only dance teacher. He received his certificate to teach Irish dance (TCRG) in 1976 and his license to adjudicate (ADCRG) in 1979. A very active adjudicator in North America , Mr. Beaton has also adjudicated at Oireachtas Rince na h'Eireann, at Oireachtsa Rince na Cruine, and in May 2006, at the European Championships in Portugal .

He is currently serving on the Executive Board of the Irish Dance Teachers' Association of North America (DTANA) as Recording Secretary. Previously, he was the president of the IDTANA; he is currently chairperson of the IDTANA scholarship committee. He has also served as Regional Director of the Southern Region of the IDTANA. Recently, Mr. Beaton successfully completed an examination process and was appointed an examiner by An Coimisiun. He served as one of the examiners for recent certification exams in Los Angeles and in Toronto .

Mr. Beaton is in his thirty-seventh year with the Frederick County (Maryland) Public School System, where he is currently the Curriculum Specialist for Visual and Performing Arts. He also teaches graduate education courses in teacher preparation at Hood College . He lives in Frederick , MD , with his wife, Millie Allen Beaton, TCRG. He is the director of the Beaton School of Irish Dance.

From Dunboyne in Co Meath Bernadette has been teaching for thirty nine years in the Kildare and Dublin region. Now a grandmother she is helped in the school by Anne Walsh and her daughter Clodagh. A large number of her past pupils are now teachers and adjudicators. Bernadette is now Dance Director for the Irish Dance Company which performs all over Ireland at corporate events.

She is at present the feis registrar for the Leinster region. She is delighted to be adjudicating again at the American Nationals and has also judged at the World Championships and Australian Nationals.

Sean was born into an Irish dancing family, one of eight children. He danced for the famous Mcloughlin school of New York and New Jersey and excelled at all levels of competitions. Sean has judged Irish dancing throughout the world, including qualifying Regionals, prior North American Championships and the Great Britains .

Besides teaching Irish dancing with his sister Bridget Flynn Reidy he also works full time as a Tax accountant for a major CPA firm in New York City . Sean is honored to be judging the North American Championships here in Nashville Tennessee . Sean wishes great success to the chairpersons of the New England Region for all their hard work to make this a great qualifying event. Best of luck to all dancers and parents, may all your dreams and goals be realized at this event.

Gary Healy was born in Birmingham , England . He started dancing at the age of ten with the McCarron School . At the age of eighteen, Gary moved to Glasgow , Scotland , and danced for the Taylor Academy , while studying law at the prestigious University of Glasgow Law School, where he graduated with honors in European Union Law in 1997. Gary is a licensed attorney, specializing in medical malpractice and asbestos defense litigation.

As a dancer, Gary has won the All-Scotland, British National, Great Britain , All-Ireland and retired from competitive Irish dancing in 1998 after winning the Senior Men's World Championship title.  In 1997, Gary joined Riverdance - The Show, touring Europe , and North America and was also an original cast member of Riverdance - on Broadway.

Gary is honored to be invited to adjudicate this years North American National Championships, and wishes all participants the very best of luck at the North American Championships, 2008. 

Gary also wishes the chairpersons, and the New England Irish Dance Teacher's Association, every success over the course of the event.

Although I was born in Dublin I consider myself a native of Waterford and it was in Munster that I did most of my dancing.

Dancing was started at a very early age as it was a family tradition. My teacher was my uncle the late Harry McCaffrey. Having taught dancing for many years I passed my ADCRG in l986 and since then have had the privilege of adjudicating globally many major championships.

I am delighted to be returning to Nashville and wish all participants, the organisation committee and New England Dance Teachers Association great success this year.

Mike started Irish Dancing at the age of 5 in Birmingham with Redmond-Walsh. The school was then taken over by Dunleavy-Armstrong. When Margaret (Dunleavy) moved back to Mayo they closed the school and he finished out his dancing career with Griffen O' Loughlin. He started the Kenny Academy of Irish Dance in Birmingham 18 years ago. Mike has had a lot of success at all major championships winning a lot of titles and he is proud to have won gold in solo/ceili and figure at the world championships.

In 2004 Rose (O'Brien) moved from Galway to Birmingham and began teaching with Michael. They married in 2005 and are now enjoying great success teaching together as husband and wife.

Michael has adjudicated at many feiseanna all over England, Ireland and USA and is proud to be invited to judge at the North American Nationals 2008

Jenny began her dancing career in Coventry , England at the age of 8 years under the direction of Mary Nightingale. From the very beginning Jenny knew that she wanted to teach and was always keen to help out at classes. Jenny obtained her T.C.R.G in 1991 and her ADCRG in 2005. Jenny now teaches with her mum Phyllis and brother Robert.The Matthews Academy is named in honour of Jennys Mum.

Since the opening of the school, pupils from the Matthews Academy have achieved national and World recognition in Solo dancing, Ceili dancing and Figure dancing. Pupils from the school have also gone onto perform in world acclaimed dance shows such as 'Lord of the Dance' and Riverdance'.

Jenny is delighted to be invited to adjudicate this years North American National Championships, and wishes all participants the very best of luck for 2008. 

Kathleen started Irish dancing in Coventry at age 10 with Christine Angliss A.D.C.R.G. At 18 she retired as senior champion to start the Clifford Academy,going on to qualify as a teacher in 1970 and adjudicator in 1979.

Over the many years in between pupils fro the school have gained success in all major championships including solo,ceile and figure competitions at the world championships.Many of her students have gone on to take starring roles in both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

Having adjudicated all over the world Kathleen is delighted to return to the North American Nationals.She would like to wish the organising committee and all teachers and competitors an enjoyable and successful weekend taking their part in this wonderful celebration of our art.

Paschal Lyons started dancing with the Coffey School of Irish Dancing when he was 5 years of age and has been involved in Irish Dancing ever since. Born and bred in Cavan Town, he has been teaching there since he retired from a very successful competitive dancing career, having won Ulster and All-Ireland titles. He has also had a very successful teaching career, with many of his pupils winning championships at both home and abroad and his dancers have regularly featured highly in the World Championships.

Paschal who is currently chairperson of the Ulster Irish Dance Teachers Association has adjudicated throughout Ireland , the UK , Europe , North America and New Zealand. He is honoured to be adjudicating his 3 rd North American Championships and wishes the organizing committee, the teachers and dancers the best of luck at this years event.

Frances started dancing at the age of 4 at the Maguire O'Shea Academy.

Frances  sat her T.C.R.G exam in 1996 and formed the McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy , which has grown into a well respected dance Academy winning many titles such as Oireachtas Rince na hEireann and Cruinne on 3 separate occasions.

In 2005 Frances as successful in passing the A.D.C.R.G exam. Since then Frances has adjudicated many local competitions , regional Oireachtas, and was delighted to adjudicate at this years Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne. 

Frances  is delighted to be returning to Nashville to adjudicate this years North American National Championships, having last time attended with her dance academy, and wishes all dancers the very best of luck at the North American Championships, 2008. 

Frances  also wishes the organisation committee and the New England Irish Dance Teacher's Association, every success over the course of the event.

Ryan obtained his teaching certification in 2001 during a break from touring with Riverdance - The Show, where he was both a troupe dancer and understudy to the male lead from 1996-2003.  Ryan started teaching workshops for the Goggin School in 1995 and his involvement led to forming one of Canada's largest Irish dance schools, now known as Goggin-Carroll.

Ryan lives near Toronto and teaches full-time; still travelling the globe as often as possible. He has a colorful competitive history which includes seven World medals, two North American titles and ten Regional titles; all earned as a student of the Butler Academy. He also won the NAFC Senior Belt in 1989.

Ryan has served on the Eastern Canadian Regional Council Executive since 2004 and has recently been elected to act as a Regional Representative to An Coimisiun.

Ryan earned his adjudication credentials in 2003 and is very visible across North America.  He is very pleased to have been invited to adjudicate the 2008 North American Championships.

Having closely assisted the Chairpersons for the 2007 NAC, Ryan is aware of the countless hours of preparation the co-Chairs put forth and he not only thanks this year's team but wishes them and everyone else a great weekend here in Nashville.

Patricia Murphy is the director of the Patricia Murphy School of Irish Dancing,down at the Jersey Shore and surroundings towns. She is originally from Connecticut having moved to New Jersey twenty seven years ago. Her first class had only ten students but over the years not only has her class grown in size her dancers have won numerous titles in both solo and team competitions.

She is very excited about judging at the nationals and  extends continued success to all of the teachers and their students.

Breda O'Brien, originally from County Galway, Ireland, started dancing at the tender age of eight years old, with Mary Devaney-Folan, and then later with the late Mairead O'Flaherty. 

Breda was the co-founder, along with her sister Rose Kenny, of the very successful O'Brien School in Galway , which from 1988 through 2004 produced over twenty one All-Ireland and World Champions.

In 2004, Breda immigrated to the USA , and now resides in Chicago , and teaches at the renowed Mullane-Healy-O'Brien Irish Dance Academy.

Breda is a very highly respected teacher and adjudicator within 'An Coimisun le Rince Gaelacha' and has adjudicated throughout the world and officiated at the All-Ireland and World Championships on many occasions.  Breda is very excited to adjudicate the North American National Championships, and wishes the organisers, and all competitiors the very best of luck over the course of the event.

My Irish Dancing Journey started at the age of thirteen. Ms Margaret Kane (R.I.P.) - Dublin was my teacher, and guided me to Dublin and All-Ireland Championships.

I emigrated to the United States , and one week after arrival, I met Peter Smith (now president), Cyril McNiff and Joan McNiff (lass) at a ceilí in the city centre Ballroom in New York. Una Ellis invited me to teach with her in New Jersey .

What a debt of gratitude is owed to the pioneering teachers of Canada and the United States for making Irish Dance the world platform it is today. I returned to Ireland and commenced teaching there in 1964. I first adjudicated in North America in 2000 at the Southern Region Oireachtas in Florida and here enjoyed my many adjudicating experiences in Canada and the U.S. since.

I accept this invitation to adjudicate my third NANs as a great honour from my colleagues, and may I wish all competitors and teachers a very successful and enjoyable NANs 2008. To the committee - Good Luck.