Faculty
Shannon Marie Ryan; TCRG
Owner/Director
Shannon began dancing at the age of 3 in Elkhorn with Rennae's school of Dance, mastering technique in ballet, tap, jazz, and clogging. Shannon began dancing with Craoí na Tíre Studio of Irish Dance in 1997 and was one of the original students. Shannon trained under the direction of Tricia Weekly; TCRG, Hanna Sullivan; TCRG and Pat Keaney; TCRG/ADCRG; dance master from Ireland. Shannon rose through the competitive ranks quickly and achieved the highest level of competitive Irish Dancing as an Open Champion dancer. Shannon competed regionally, nationally and in Ireland at the prestigious All-Ireland Championships. Shannon began her dance instructor training as a driller in high school and college. In 2010, Shannon sat for and passed the grueling TCRG exam in Ireland and was awarded with the distinction of certified teacher with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (The Irish Dance Commission, Dublin, Ireland). Shannon is a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America. Shannon holds a BBA in Marketing as well as a MA in Education and is a 7th grade teacher and "mom" to two dancing chihuahuas.
Tricia McPartlin Weekly; TCRG
Founder
Director Emeritus
Tricia Weekly; TCRG founded the Craoí na Tíre school in 1997; bringing Irish Dance to the Heartland. Born and raised in Chicago, Tricia began her Irish Dance career at the young age of 4 under the instruction of dance master, Pat Roche and his daughter Peggy Roche-Boyle; TCRG/ADCRG. Tricia went on further to dance under the direction of the late Dennis Dennehy; the world-famous dance master and teacher of Michael Flatley; the Lord of the Dance. After spending her childhood Irish dancing, Tricia went on to further round out her dance repetoire and studied ballet, jazz and gymnastics. In college Tricia was a member of The University of Notre Dame Dancin' Irish pom/dance team where she combined all of her dance experience and expertise to wow the crowds at Notre Dame football and basketball games. Tricia was also the MVP of her collegiate Track and Field team 3 consecutive years and was honored with all-state recognition and several school records that stand today. The competitive training gained in collegiate athletics combined with dance training from the masters of Irish Dance is the ideal combination to meet the needs of today's competitive Irish Dancer. Tricia has also served as choreographer for several stage productions in Omaha. Tricia was the first certified teacher with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (The Irish Dance Commission; Dublin, Ireland) in the state of Nebraska after sitting for and passing a grueling exam in Ireland demonstrating proficiency in all forms of Irish Dance; both instructing as well as dancing. Tricia is a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America. Tricia serves on the IDTANA Irish Dance Scholarship board as the Mid-America Board Member. Tricia holds a BA in Education and Psychology and was the recipient of the Ancient order of Hibernians Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Tricia is married and a proud mother to 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
