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Aine began Irish dancing in 1983 at the age of 4. In the two decades that followed, McMenamin-Johnson competed in seven World Irish Dance Championships as a soloist and five times in team competition, culminating in a 2nd place ranking, at the 2000 Belfast World Championships.
Turning down an opportunity to dance in a major Irish Dance production, she decided to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). She is the only Irish Dance instructor in the Midwest to hold such a degree. Upon graduation, McMenamin-Johnson started the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Irish Dance Program in conjunction with UWM’s Celtic Studies program and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. As a result, McMenamin-Johnson is on staff at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she teaches World Movement Traditions: Irish Step Dance. She has awarded the respected T.C.R.G. certification, for her experience and competence, by the An Coimisiun’ le Rinci Gaelacha, the governing body of Irish Dance.
Of all Bridget Glynn’s hobbies, teaching Irish Dance is her greatest passion. She met M.I.D.A. founder Aine McMenamin-Johnson as a seven-year-old dancer. Experiencing growth in dance, Glynn has competed in all levels of competition, including medaling at the World Championships of Irish Dance. After her return from the Worlds, Glynn opted for a hiatus from competition to earn a degree in Finance from UW-Whitewater. Currently employed in the banking industry, Glynn enjoys reading and traveling though remains loyal to her love of teaching. Glynn feels fortunate to be able to share her knowledge of the Irish dance and culture with others interested in learning and challenging themselves. Bridget joined MIDA in 2005.
Caitlin grew up dancing with the world-renowned Richens-Timm Academy in Columbus, OH. Caitlin has competed at the World Championships and All-Ireland numerous times as a soloist and team member. In May 2007, Caitlin graduated from prestigious Brown University, teaching Irish dance lessons at the Celtic Cultural Society. Caitlin is presently pursuing her Ph.D. in Architecture from UW-Milwaukee and is excited about the opportunity to teach and to share her passion for Irish Dance with the members of M.I.D.A.
Annie began Irish dance in Milwaukee,WI at age seven. At age eleven she blossomed at Cashel Dennehy and became a competitive dancer. She earned the right to dance at the World Championships several times, competing in team and solo competitions since the age of twelve. Her team won the World Championship Overseas Award each time they danced. She is also proud to have twice earned "Next To Recall" in her world solo competitions. She has always enjoyed instructing and is studying for her T.C.R.G.
Maggie started dancing eleven years ago. She has competed at the championship level since she age twelve, and qualified for the World Championships six times in a row. Maggie has taken sixth placein team dance at the World Championships and after taking a year off from dance, she has qualified for solo's at the 2008 World Championships. She is currently studying at Mount Mary College and is a integral part of the M.I.D.A. teaching staff.
Meg began Irish dance at the age of six. Realizing how "Irish Dance allows dynamic expression in a way that cannot be created elsewhere", Meg competed at her first "Oireachtas"(Regional Championship) at age nine. Her team became the Midwest Champions and qualified for the World Championships three years in a row. The team earned two sixth place finishes at the Worlds. She continued to dance in solo competition culminating in championship status. After nine years, she has transitioned into teaching at M.I.D.A. Meg says, "Every time I come to the studio, I feel truly blessed to work with children who share the same passion as I do. My life has been changed by these dancers. I am grateful for every moment I spend with the children and teaching staff at M.I.D.A."
Riley began Irish dancing at age six in Milwaukee, Wi. Aine McMenamin was one of the first dance instructors to teach her at Cashel Dennehy.
Riley progressed quickly and by age seven she was competing in team dance and by ten she was dancing in solo competition at the All Irelands and the World Championships, earning a recall at both. At age eleven she transferred to Trinity Academy where she continued to compete in both solos and team dance. She has placed as high as third regionally and fifth nationally in solos. She has qualified for and danced at the World Championships each of the past seven years and holds four Worlds medals:
two in solos (including a 16th place finish in 2005) and two in teams (including a gold medal in Choreography in 2007). She has qualified in solo's for the 2008 World Championships. She is excited to pass on her experiences and to share her love of Irish dance with the students at M.ID.A.
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