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Rita O'Shea-Chaplin
Rita O'Shea-Chaplin was born in Galway,
Ireland, and was a champion dancer. She has taught Irish dance in both
Ireland and
America for more than fifty years. Rita is a registered teacher,
adjudicator, and examiner with the Irish Dance Commission of Dublin,
Ireland. Rita has
trained many dancers for their teacher's and adjudicator's certificates.
Rita also serves as a member of the examining committee of An Coimisiún
Rince na hEireann (Irish Dance Commission). She has taught thousands
of children Irish culture through the medium of Irish dance, and
many of her students are now dancing teachers and adjudicators themselves.
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Lisa Chaplin
Lisa Chaplin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and has
over 20 years experience teaching Irish dancing. She was the State and
New
England
Regional Champion many times and was the North American Champion in 1981.
Lisa is
a well-known choreographer and has taught many Irish dance workshops
throughout the country. Lisa is also a registered teacher and adjudicator
with the
Irish Dance Commission of Dublin, Ireland. |
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Brenda Crossen-Finn
Brenda has a love for Irish dancing from her parents, who were
born in Ireland. She is the mother of three daughters who has been teaching
dancing for over 10 years. Brenda enjoys teaching young children the
art of Irish dancing with the same passion and respect she experienced
growing up. Brenda enjoys teaching and adjudicating Irish dancing equally.
She is registered with the Irish Dance Commission of Dulblin, Ireland.
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Kathleen Boutin
Kathleen works full time in business and enjoys travelling around the world.
She has been teaching for almost 10 years and loves working with the
advanced dancers and teams. Kathleen has a background in sports, and
utilizes this in her approach to teaching. She is a registered
teacher with the Irish Dance Commission of Dublin, Ireland.
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Maura Masterson
Maura has been a member of the O’Shea-Chaplin Academy
for over twenty years. Maura loves to watch the children grow and
progress as individuals and dancers, into teenagers and young
adults. She
became a registered teacher with the Irish Dance Commission of Dublin,
Ireland, in 2003. She is currently an Activity Director at a local retirement
home and is thrilled to remain affiliated with the O’Shea-Chaplin
Academy.
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Sharon Reidy
"What I love the most about being an Irish Step Dancing teacher,
is the opportunity I have to help young people build confidence and
a
stronger sense of self, just like Rita and Lisa helped me to do. I
am thrilled that I am able to pass on to others what they gave to me."
Sharon has been with the O’Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish
Dance for
approximately twenty years. Sharon is a registered
teacher with the Irish Dance Commission of Dublin, Ireland, and we are
proud to
have her on our teaching staff at the O’Shea-Chaplin Academy of
Irish Dance. |
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Aisling Francoeur
Rita O’Shea gave Aisling her first pair of ghillies at the age of five months. Inevitably, Aisling would one day join the team of dance instructors that led her to such great success in her career. Aisling competed in many local, regional, national, and international competitions. She was the New England Regional Senior Lady Champion in 2007. Aisling hung up her dancing shoes in 2009 after graduating from Boston College with degrees in English and Communications. When she is not teaching dancing, she is working as an editorial assistant at UpToDate, Inc., an online medical information publication for clinicians and patients. |
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Julie Meringer
I started my Irish dance career with Rita O’Shea at the young age of four. With both my parents’ Irish immigrants, they wanted to ensure that I was exposed to Irish culture and dance was the outlet. Under Rita’s guidance and teaching, I quickly advanced in dance. From 1976 until I went to college in 1987, I competed in and won various local, regional and national titles. In 1983, I was the North American Champion for my age – an accomplishment I could not have achieved without Rita’s teaching and support. As the mother of three young daughters, I am thrilled that they are now students of both Rita O’Shea and Lisa Chaplin.
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