Instructors

Siobhan Connolly

Siobhan began dancing at the age of 3, taught by her mother Clare Connolly.  Siobhan won numerous titles during her competitive Irish Dance career including the New Zeland Nationals as well as high ranking placings in the Australian and World Irish Dancing Championships. Having recalled in the World Championships she was then chosen to dance in Ceol Chiarrai production 'To Dance on the Moon' where she was resident in Killarney and from there she was honored to be selected to join Michael Flatleys 'Lord of the Dance' in 2003. She toured with the world extensively for 9 years landing the lead role of Saoirse in both Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames, and was privileged to dance the lead role alongside Micheal himself.  

During that time she was one of the few that was selected from Troupe 4 to be involved in Michael Flatley's 'Celtc Tiger' Production where she was part of the creative team and dancer.  This show led her to many major venues over the years, including Madison Square Gardens, Wembely Arena, the O2 in London, and the Point Theatre in Dublin, to name a few. She then returned to Lord of the Dance as the lead dancer where she continued to tour the United States with Troupe 2. Nearing the end of her show career she performed in Michael Flatley's 3D movie 'Lord of the Dance' released in 2011. Her decision to leave this amazing career was one of the most difficult decisions she had to make but was confident in studying and obtaining her international Irish Dancing Teaching Certificate with the An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha which has led her to become the principle teacher of the well known Connolly Irish Dancing School.  The love of Irish dancing has enabled her to progress into teaching this wonderful art form of dance, and pass down her knowledge to the younger dancers.

 

Katie Kerrigan

 

Katie began dancing at the age of 5 with Kathleen O’Carroll at the Cross Keys School on the south side of Chicago.  During her time at Cross Keys she won several Midwestern regional titles and placed many times in the top 3 nationally. Katie’s biggest competitive achievement was winning two world medals, placing 8th and 11th  for solo dancing dancing at the World Championships of Irish Dance.

In 2004, Katie was lucky enough to join the cast of Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’ which began her 11-year career on the professional stage. She toured around the world with LOTD and was also a part of the original cast of Flatley’s ‘Celtic Tiger’ production. Katie had the amazing opportunity to dance the lead role of Morrighan in the show, even getting to dance lead alongside Michael himself. She was the female Dance Captain for several different tropes and most recently an assistant Dance Director under the world renowned choreographer Marie Duffy. Katie became a qualified TCRG in 2010 and taught with the Cross Keys School in Chicago before putting roots down in New Zealand. Katie is very happy to be teaching dancing here in Auckland alongside her dear friend Siobhan Connolly who she toured the world and shared the stage with for over 10 years.

 

 

 

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