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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.
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.
Mary Catharine Daniels has twenty five years of Irish dance experience. Starting at the age of four, she did not expect her involvement would land her on National stages from the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Regis and Kathy Lee to International folk festivals in Belgium. Mary has extensive competitive experience at the local, regional, national and world level placing high in her age category and coming away with Bronze and Gold medals at the world championships in team dancing. Mary’s career took her to the Twin Cities where she was a primary instructor for a St. Paul dance school, training children technically and inspiring creative showmanship through her choreography. At the age of twenty –one, Mary joined the Trinity Dance company and performed until a knee injury sidelined her own dancing. This experience led her to undertake directing duties for the Trinity junior touring company as she led the JTC at various arts venues across the country. Mary has since had restorative surgery to her knee and has enjoyed her role as a choreographer for the St. Paul Irish Dancers. As she has pursued outside interests, Mary is finishing her Bachelor’s degree at UWM and is excited to contribute to the MIDA community.
Teresa began Irish Dancing at age four in Milwaukee, WI. She moved to Cincinnati, OH to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in nursing at Xavier University, but her love for Irish dancing was not left in Milwaukee. She stayed in touch with the Irish dance community by assistant teaching throughout college. This year she was awarded the TCRG certification by the An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha. Teresa is currently serving as a nurse for the US Army at Ft. Bliss, TX. She looks forward to moving to Ft. Riley, KS this summer where she will be able to be a more active staff member at MIDA.
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.
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