FACULTY & STAFF

Maureen Collins - Novaco TCRG (Owner/Director)

Maureen Collins - Novaco is a certified Irish Dance instructor & is registered with An Coimisiun in Ireland Member of the IDTANA (Irish Dance Teacher's Association of North America) and the New England and Mid Atlantic Region Associations. Maureen currently resides in Peapack-Gladstone, NJ with her husband Jonathan & their dog "Bacca." She has earned countless titles and accolades in the world of Irish dancing. As a former Riverdance performer, Maureen had the opportunity to dance for the Kennedy family at the Kennedy Arts Center & in front of standing room only audiences at the Broadway Gershwin Theater in Manhattan.  Winning several regional & local championships, one of Maureen’s greatest personal achievements was winning the North American Irish dancing competition two years in a row. However, her greatest achievements now is watching her students work hard, perform their best & help them achieve their own Irish dancing goals. It is her energy and vision that keeps the Lynn Academy moving forward in the world of Irish step dancing.

• TCRG - Certified Irish dance instructor
• Performed with the NY Broadway & the Lee Company Show Riverdance
• Two-time 1st place finisher - North American Irish Dance Championships - Kathleen O’Keefe School of Irish Dance
• Two-time 1st place finisher Mid Atlantic & Southern Regional Irish Dance Championships
• Placed in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Ireland
• National Foundation for the Advancement of Arts Financial Scholarship
• Produced Dancers who have won top 10 in the All Irelands, Worlds, British Nationals, Great Britain's, All Scotland's as well as dancers win the North American Championships & Regional Oireachtas Championships. In addition directed a dance drama which placed 5th at the World Championships.
• 2003 Graduate Degree:MBA Iona Hagen School of Business; 1995 College Degree: BS in Accounting Villanova U

Sharon Taylor ADCRG, TCRG (Irish Dance Choreographer)
Sharon Taylor is a certified Irish Dance instructor, adjudicator & choreographer registered with An Coimisiun in Ireland & resides in Scotland with Eddie and her two sons. Sharon started dancing at age 2 years and won her first open championship at the age of 3. Throughout her career, Sharon won many championships including top 5 places in the All Ireland, Worlds, British Nationals and won 1st place at the All Scotlands & Great Britains Championships respectively. Sharon danced for her "mum" Jean Taylor who had a very successful school producing many champions & in fact some who are teachers now themselves. Jean is also an adjudicator & Sharon enjoys judging with her "mum" at local Feisanna & prestigious events such as the All Irelands. Sharon has been teaching for almost 15 years & under the Taylor Academy has had dancers win first place at the All Irelands, Worlds, British Nationals, Great Britains, All Scotlands, North Americans as well as many placing in the top 5 & 10. Sharon is pleased and excited to continue to return to the Lynn Academy to work with such hard working & talented dancers & the LYNN Academy's non profit 501(3)c organization is thrilled to grant scholarships to the LYNN dancers for such opportunities.

Mary Lynn Collins-Callanan (Irish Dance & Ballet Instructor):

Mary Lynn Collins-Callanan works along side Maureen as a support teacher & brings to the Academy not only her Irish dancing experience, but her many years of Ballet experience. She currently resides in Tarrytown, NY with her husband John & their three children, Daniel, Mary Kate and Johnny. Mary Lynn believes her greatest achievement is watching the LYNN students take pride in their success. For information regarding the New Rochelle & Tarrytown, NY locations as well as performance and ballet classes, e-mail Mary Lynn at lynnacademy@optonline.net

• Top ten placing in the Irish dancing North American & Mid Atlantic Region - Kathleen O’Keefe School of Irish Dance
• Company member of the Pennsylvania School of Ballet
• Performed with the New York City Ballet
• Choreographed dance routines for musicals such as Grease & Brigadoon
• Performed in over 200 productions of the Nutcracker & Sleeping Beauty
• New York Rose of Tralee
• Has over 20 years of Irish/Ballet/Modern and Jazz dance experience
• 2002 Master's Degree Instructional Technology; 1991 College Degree: BA in English& Education - St. Joe’s U.

Samantha Kent (Irish Dance Instructor & Business Manager):
Samantha Kent is thrilled to join the staff at Lynn Academy. Samantha is a champion Irish dancer & has a lot of Irish dancing experience as well as business experience. She handles all questions regarding payment and invoicing as well as a liaison with the PTA. In addition, Samantha is a really great teacher and enjoys working with the dancers. Samantha currently resides in Bronxville, NY. Samantha will be teaching the Thursday Stamford, CT classes, Saturday morning Morristown , NJ classes and is available for private lessons. Just E-mail Sam at lynnbusinessmanager@yahoo.com

• 2nd Place Finish North American Irish Dancing Championships Plus a number of Top 5 finishes - Donny Golden School of Irish Dance
• Three Time Oireachtas 1st Place Finisher - Mid Atlantic Oireachtas - Donny Golden School of Irish Dance
• World Medalist numerous occasions.
• Performed with Cherish the Ladies, Carnegie Hall, and the Chieftans
• 2003 College Degree: BA in Communications & Business Administration Tulane U
• Looking forward to sitting for her TCRG exam in 2010!

Sinead McCafferty (Performance Stage Makeup Consultant & One-on-One Irish Dancing Training)
The Lynn Academy is honored to bring on board not only a very talented & knowledgeable Irish dancer, but also an experienced Model & Actress. Sinead McCafferty is thrilled to join the staff at Lynn Academy as a consultant. Sinead is originally from Toronto, Canada, and is currently residing in Jersey City, NJ with her husband Rainer. Sinead is a champion Irish dancer & the former lead of Riverdance on Broadway & European Tours. In addition Sinead has worked throughout the world as a Model & Actress & will be providing the Lynn Dancers workshops on stage performance makeup & etiquette throughout the year! Sinead is available for private lessons at our Stamford , CT & Hillsborough, NJ studios. Just e-mail Sinead at sineadmccafferty@hotmail.com.

• Lead Female Performer - NY Broadway & the Lee Company Show Riverdance
  
• Lead Female Performer - 10th Anniversary Riverdance The Show - Radio City Music Hall
  
• World Irish Dancing Medalist Numerous Times - Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School if Irish Dance
• Top Five Finisher North American Irish Dancing Championships - Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School if Irish Dance
  
• Eastern Canadian Oireachtas 1st Place Finishes - Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School if Irish Dance

Monica Lynch (Irish Dance Instructor Specializing in Adult Education & Sets):

Monica Lynch is another support teacher in the Stamford location. She brings a wealth of dance, knowledge of music and rhythm to the Academy. She is both committed to the Irish culture and to the success of every dancer. Monica started Irish dancing at the age of 4 and continued for 10 years. She studied under Kathleen Mulkerin until she put dancing on hold to concentrate on studying the flute. She returned Irish dance when she joined Lynn Academy in 2000. She is an avid set dancer and has also been studying Oriental dance for 9 years. She teaches Music in grades K-8 for the New Haven Public Schools & thoroughly enjoys her adult classes on Tuesday evenings. Monica is also available for adult private lessons for weddings & special events. For information regarding adult classes & Tuesday Classes in CT, e-mail Monica at monicalynch@comcast.net

Maire Clerkin ADCRG, TCRG (Guest Drama Coach & Choreographer):

Maire Clerkin is a wonderful addition to the Lynn Academy Faculty. She is a certified Irish dancing adjudicator & teacher with An Coimisiun in Ireland & although is originally from North London, currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She has a wealth of knowledge and helps students learn physical theatre skills with improvisation, role play, drama methods, and comedy. In addition, Maire creates Irish dance drama for stage. She devises theatrical dance works for regional, national and world championships, local competitions, international festivals, school recitals, corporate functions, holiday concerts, and full-length productions. In 2009, the Lynn academy placed 5th Place in the World Championships of Irish Dancing with Maire's creative genius, "Curse of the Feet Water" We look forward to working on our dancers' drama skills with Marie throughout the year. Feel free to visit Marie's website at http://www.maireclerkin.com/