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Dance Performers

The North Texas Irish Festival is pleased to announce the regional dance companies for the 2005 Festival.

Catherine Sherer

Emerald School of Irish Dance

The Hibernia School of Irish Dance

Iverin Irish Dance Company

Jackson Irish Dancers

Lone Star Ceili Band

McTeggart Irish Dancers

San Antonio Irish Dancers

Shandon School of Irish Dance

Wind Dance

The North Texas Irish Festival is a production of the Southwest Celtic Music Association

Catherine Sherer - Ceili Caller Catherine Sherer holds a M.F.A in Dance from SMU and a M.A. in Ethnochoreology, with an emphasis in Traditional Irish Dance, from the University of Limerick, the latter of which she earned on a Fulbright grant. She also holds a teacher certification from both An Coimisuún le Rincí Gaelacha and Cairde Rince Céilí na hÉireann. She has studied, performed, and taught Irish dance in multiple locations, including Ireland, France, Germany, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia, and South Carolina. In addition, Catherine has called céilithe for the North Texas Irish Festival, The Celtic Heritage Festival, the Austin Celtic Festival, and various other céilithe in Ireland, Texas and Mississippi.
Emerald School of Irish Dance The Emerald School of Irish Dance has been teaching and promoting the art of Irish dance in Dallas/Ft. Worth since 1977. Directed by Emily Touzin and Leslie Touzin Middleton, TCRG, the school is certified by the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin, Ireland which allows our students to compete in Irish dance competitions throughout the world. Students from the Emerald School compete throughout the nation and most recently, one of our students qualified to compete at the World Championships in Ennis. Our Senior Dance Company performs throughout Texas. Among the many performances includes a feature spot in a Christmas concert with a full choir and orchestra, the Bass Performance hall with the Trinity Irish Dancers, and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The school now has 5 locations including classes in Dallas, Lewisville, Arlington, The Colony, and Norman, Oklahoma. Call Leslie at 972-315-0928 or Emily at 972-458-0145.
The Hibernia School of Irish Dance The Hibernia School of Irish Dance operates in Dallas and Tyler, Texas under the direction of Erin Maureen Reid, TCRG (certified step dance and céilí dance teacher by the Commission of Irish Dance in Dublin Ireland.) The Hibernia School offers an education, ranging from traditional to modern, in competitive solo and team Irish dancing. Classes for the less-competitive dancer, seeking exercise or Irish cultural exploration are also part of the Hibernia curriculum. The Hibernia School focuses quality instruction and proper technique, performances as well as competition, cultural and community activities, fun and lasting friendships.
Iverin Irish Dance Company Established as a non-profit dance company in 2003, Iverin has held true to its vision of bringing the excitement and wonder of Irish music, art and culture to the public through Irish dance. Iverin performs with rave reviews throughout the DFW area, including “Taste Dance: Addison Style,” reviewed by the Dallas Morning News. Iverin Irish Dance Company consists of Prizewinner and Championship dancers from the Shandon and Hibernia Schools of Irish dance. Auditions are open to dancers from ANY school. Most Iverin dancers are active competitors, sponsored by Iverin, Inc. Iverin is appearing for their third year at the North Texas Irish Festival, with the Murphy-Sullivan School of Irish Dance of Oklahoma as guest performers.
Jackson Irish Dancers Jackson Irish Dancers, a non-profit corporation founded in 1998, spreads knowledge, enjoyment and understanding of traditional Irish dance through instruction, performance, and social gathering in the Jackson, Mississippi metro area. Call 601-592-9914 for information on classes, performances, and other events. Our NTIF performances feature set dances (the Waltz Cotillion, Cashel Set and Baile Bhúirne Jig and Reel Sets); céilí dances (The Sweets of May); traditional solo dancing and more, directed by JID member Catherine Sherer, TCRG. Special thanks to members of Lincoln Irish Dancers of Lincoln, Nebraska, for taking the stage with us for this performance, and to Spirits of the House for great music. The more the merrier – we hope you’ll join us on the dance floor, too!
Lone Star Ceili Band - Ceili The Lone Star Ceili Band 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 band 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 word “ceili” is an Irish word that means gathering, a social event. In Ireland, ceilis are occasions for group dancing akin to our Texas square dances and hoedowns. For all who hear, the language of Irish music causes “hearts and feet to dance at the joy of it.” There is an unmistakable melodic sound that is Irish, and the success of a ceili band is often measured by how well its music inspires the dancers. When played well, the lift and lilt of the music naturally draws feet to the floor. The real magic happens when there is a collective spirit of dancers and musicians as they enjoy each others contributions. The Lone Star Ceili Band will be your music hosts at the Saturday night Ceili called by Catherine Sherer.
McTeggart Irish Dancers The McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas, under the direction of Mrs. Maureen McTeggart Hall, A.D.C.R.G., practice in Fort Worth, Texas weekly. The dance school performs throughout the North Texas area at major cultural events to promote and keep alive traditional Irish dancing. Performances are also scheduled at nursing homes, shopping malls, schools, and hospitals to name a few. The students compete against each other and dancers from all across the United States when they attend a “Feis”, sometimes traveling to New Orleans, Houston, Denver and the Irish Festival Feis in Dallas. Students of all ages are welcome to join for competitive and pleasure dancing instruction.
San Antonio Irish Dancers The San Antonio Irish Dancers were established in 1982 by Colm O'Maoileidigh and are part of the Irish umbrella of organizations that promote Irish and Celtic culture. Originally, the group focused on competitive dancing, and members won many state and national awards for both solo and ceili competition. Recently, Colm left the organization, but his students dedicate themselves to preserving Irish dance culture in San Antonio. Our members range widely in age and skill levels. We encourage participation from everyone - children through adults, and beginners through championship dancers The San Antonio Irish Dancers have undergone many changes in the last two decades, but one thing has remained constant. We all share a love of music and dance and a deep desire to demonstrate the pride we feel in our Irish heritage.
Shandon School of Irish Dance The Shandon School of Irish Dance was founded in January of 1998. The school is registered with An Coimisum Le Rince Gaelacha (the commission on Irish Dance) which allows students to compete in feisianna all over the world. When the school was opened in 1998, classes were held in garages and gyms. In September of 1998, Shandon School moved to a studio on the southeast corner of Arapaho and Jupiter in Garland. The school has been involved in shows and competitions around the world, including performing with the Trinity Irish Dancers when they came to Bass Hall in the winter of 2000. Shandon students continually make the final cut at the regional championships and qualify for the World Championship of Irish Dance. Shandon places importance on improving oneself. Achieve your personal best through the challenge and fun of Irish Dance!
Wind Dance Comprised entirely of the young people from Rose Creek Village, WindDance is an original Celtic-Freestyle dance troupe known for their dynamic choreography. They blend their own style of dancing with traditional Irish dance, elements of jazz, ballet and other dance styles to create a lively, energetic and totally unique brand of dancing that can only be described as WindDance. WindDance has performed to crowds at festivals such as the Pangaea World Music Festival in historic Jonesborough, Tennessee and the Jackson, Mississippi CelticFest. Audiences are continually amazed at the passion, love and joy of dance that flows from these remarkable young people.