Overview

The Erickson Academy of Irish Dance began offering classes in February 1998 with 40 dancers ages 5-16. There are currently 120 dancers enrolled for the 2007-08 dancing year. Advanced dancers have competed on local, regional, national and world states and perform throughout Cincinnati at such venues as the Appalachian Festival, Celtic Festival, Fine Arts Fund Sampler as well as at a variety of schools and senior centers. It is the goal of the Academy to teach Irish stepdancing in a positive and fun way. Children are grouped by age in small classes for personal attention. As a Beginner student of Irish dance, you can expect your child to learn the basics. Advanced students learn more intricate foot work, hard shoe, and figure dances.

Your Instructors

Allison Weber Erickson, TCRG, ADCRG

Allison is certified as a teacher and an adjudicator by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. As a member of An Coimisiun, she follows their Rules & Regulations for teaching dancing, entering dancers in competitions, accepting dancers from other Irish dance schools, etc. Membership in An Coimisiun also means being a member of the National and Regional bodies of Irish Dancing, IDTANA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America) and IDTAMA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid America). Allison currently serves as Treasurer for IDTAMA.

Allison began Irish Dancing at the relatively late age of 10. As a student of Mary McGing, TCRG, she qualified three times for and competed in the World Championships of Irish Dancing, performed for Gene Kelly and on tour in the former Soviet Union. Before forming the Erickson Academy of Irish Dance, Allison was, along with Heather McClanahan, TCRG, co-founder and instructor of the Bluegrass Irish Dancers (now The McClanahan School of Irish Dance) in Louisville, Kentucky. While teaching there, they performed with the Chieftains at the Louisville Arts Center.

Allison McClanahan Carr, TRCG

Allison is certified as a teacher by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. Allison began dancing with the McGing Irish Dancers in Cincinnati in 1980 at the age of 5. Allison competed at many Feiseanna in the Midwest region and finished competing at the Preliminary level. From the age of eight, Allison competed annually in the Midwest Oireachtas competitions and qualified to compete in World’s at the 1989 Oireachtas. Allison was also asked to participate in many performances, including one for Gene Kelly in Los Angeles. Allison’s sister, Heather McClanahan, TRCG, teaches at The McClanahan School of Irish Dance in Louisville, Kentucky.

Teresa Egan

Teresa is a teaching assistant who began her Irish dancing career at the Trinity Academy, Milwaukee and completed her dancing days with the Glencastle Irish Dancers, Milwaukee. This is Teresa’s fourth year assisting in the studio. Teresa is a senior at Xavier University studying nursing and is part of the ROTC program.

Rachel Stegeman

Rachel is a teaching assistant who recently completed her 14 year Irish dancing career with the McGing Irish Dancers. Rachel’s successful competitive career includes placing as high as 3d in the Mid-America Oireachtas, qualifying for the World Championships of Irish Dancing 4 times, and placing 10th in the North American Irish Dance Championships. This is Rachel’s second year assisting in the studio. Rachel is the older sister of Erickson Academy dancer Mary Stegeman and niece of Allison Erickson.