Overview

The Erickson Academy of Irish Dance began offering classes in February 1998 with 40 dancers ages 5-16.  Advanced dancers have competed on local, regional, national and world states and perform throughout Cincinnati at such venues as the new Irish Heritage Center, the Cincinnati Celtic Festival 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.   

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 Worlds. 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.

Monica Brune Choquette, TRCG

Monica is certified as a teacher by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. Monica began dancing with the McGing Irish Dancers at the age of 5.  Monica competed at feiseanna, Oireachtas and National levels and is a two-time qualifier for the World Championships of Irish Dancing.  Monica also enjoyed performing throughout Cincinnati, as well as Los Angeles for Gene Kelly and on tour with the former Soviet Union.  Before joining the Erickson Academy, Monica and Teresa Horne Christie, TCRG directed the Killeen-McCarthy School of Irish Dance in Cincinnati.

Teresa Horne Christie, TCRG

Teresa is certified as a teacher by An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland.  Teresa is the head instructor of the Erickson Academy Adult Program.  Teresa started dancing at age four with the McGing Irish Dancers.  After 11 years of performing and competing, Teresa hung up her dance shoes until she started teaching adults with her sisters at their school, The Horne Family Dancers.  In the fall of 2003, Monica Brune Choquette, TCRG and Teresa opened the Killeen-McCarthy School of Irish Dance.  The Killeen McCarthy School of Irish Dance taught children and adults for almost five years.  In the fall of 2008, the Killeen-McCarthy School of Irish Dance joined with Erickson Academy. 

Rachel Stegeman Vultaggio, Teaching Assistant

Rachel is in her fifth year assisting in the studio after completing her 15 year Irish dancing career with the McGing Irish Dancers.  Rachel’s successful competitive career includes placing as high as 3rd 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.  While not teaching at the stduio, Rachel can be found working as a LPN in a local area nursing home.