INSTRUCTORS
AMY
CAMPBELL MORAN, TCRG/ADCRG
Director
of Dance Program/Principal Dance Instructor
In her 20+ year career, she has had many successes with dancers of all ages,
solos and teams. As
a dancer, she
received top placement at the World Championships held in Ireland. She returned
to the
championships, as an instructor, with a team of young dancers and again, took
home the coveted
first place award. Amy has trained extensively under and along side the world's
top coaches. Presently, Amy has dancers placing first in regional
competitions and in the top three at the national and world levels. She
continues to take dancers from their beginning steps to top accolades, and, in the
process, her students are traveling the world, performing for many and making friends across the globe.
COLLEEN
MARTIN, TCRG
Principal Accelerated Dance
Instructor
Colleen is a
certified Irish dance teacher with over 20 years experience. In her
competitive days she was a championship solo and team dancer. Colleen was
also a member of the first American team to win a gold medal at the World
Championships! She has trained many top champion solo dancers during her
career and is looking forward to the work she will do here at Anam Mor.
In the classroom, Colleen's primary focus will be the accelerated program. In addition, she will be on call to cover any class as needed. A stickler for detail, Colleen brings an amazing amount of energy to the classroom. She is known for her drills and stamina building! She looks forward to working with all the students of Anam Mor and seeing the results of everyone's hard work.
CAITLIN HUBICK
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR - Accelerated & Core Classes
I am a former student of Anam Mor and now an assistant instructor. In my twelve years of Irish dance I competed at the regional and national championships in both solos and teams. I am a junior at Marquette University in Wisconsin, and I am majoring in Exercise Science/Physical Therapy. The things I love most about Irish dance are the friendships made and the lifelong lessons learned from it. I enjoy helping dancers because I love seeing them enjoy, excel and gain a passion for something that I have a passion for as well.
ERIN FERGUSON
Student Assistant - Core & Skills Classes
My name is Erin Ferguson and I help Amy with Skills Classes on Sunday afternoons. I am a middle child of four siblings, two of which do Irish dancing. I am 12 years old and I am an honor student at Lake Zurich Middle School North. I am very athletic and love to play sports like volleyball, soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and just plain old running! I love to act and sing and was recently in our school musical Annie.
As for Irish dancing, I have been to the Mid-West Oireachtas Championships three times placing consistently in the top 25. I have been to the North American Championships twice and have placed both times. At feises, I am in Preliminary Championships. I have very high expectations for myself and I really work hard at home to be fully prepared and confident each and every time I walk out on stage. My dream is to travel to Ireland one day and place at the World Championships of Irish Dancing!
I love helping at classes because I want to help each and every dancer who wants to fulfill their dream in Irish dancing! My absolute favorite thing about Irish dancing is to perform for people, whether it’s at Milwaukee Irish Fest or a nursing home, I love to perform!!!! Just remember that it doesn’t matter if you place or not, as long as you feel that you did your best...then you have truly succeeded!!!
KAELEY FERGUSON
Student Assistant - Core & Skills Classes
I'm Kaeley Ferguson, an Accelerated dancer at Anam Mor. I am the oldest of four children and learn a lot about responsibility because of that. It's harder than it looks to be the oldest! I love Irish Dancing! I have been to the Midwest Championships three times, going on four, and really enjoy all that Irish Dance has to offer...it keeps me in shape, I have made great friends and it's just plain fun!
I also love to run. I participated in track for the 2006/07 school year and plan to do it again next year. I baby sit, And, I am a straight A student at Lake Zurich Middle School North.
My words of wisdom to young dancers....JUST HAVE FUN!!!
JORIE FREY
Student Assistant - Core Classes
I'm 15 years old and a Sophomore at Barrington High School. While in High School, I enjoy playing basketball and hanging out with my friends. Irish dancing has been a part of my life for 11 years. Over the years I've enjoyed everything from competing to performing to hanging out with friends. I have competed at the Midwest Championships since I was 7 in both teams and solos. At feises, I compete at the Preliminary Championship level.
As a teacher, I love helping the younger classes and watching them progress with dance. I hope they will all continue to succeed and reach their goals!!
MAIRENN FINNEGAN
Student Assistant - Beginner Class
I am the oldest of four girls (2 of my sisters also dance at Anam Mor). I am a high honor student in 6th grade at St. Ann School in Barrington. In addition to Irish Dance, I also compete in many sports such as cheerleading, softball, volleyball and swimming.
I help Amy on Friday nights with the beginner class. I also dance in the Intermediate III class which meets later that night. During this class I prepare for the many feises, learn new steps and improve my technique. At competitions I compete at the prizewinner level. I place consistently and have high hopes for qualifying for the Oireachtas sometime soon. My biggest dream is to someday make it to the World Championship in Ireland!
My favorite part of Irish dancing is competing because I like to see myself succeed and improve. I love helping the beginners because when I correct a move or teach them a new step it makes me feel good to know that I have helped them improve their own dancing. I think that my favorite part about teaching is the thought that I have actually played a part in someone reaching their hopes and dreams. Always remember to dream big and try your best... then you have already won!
TYLER SCHWARTZ
Student Assistant - Core & Accelerated Lessons
I am 16 years old and a Championship level dancer. Inspired by my older sister Lindsay, I began dancing 8 years ago and love it! I have competed overseas in Ireland, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland at the All-Ireland Championships, Great Britain Championships, All-Scotland Championships and the World Championships. I am the current All-Ireland Champion and Mid American Oireachtas Champion. I also hold titles from the North American, Great Britain and All-Scotland Championships. I really enjoy all aspects of Irish Dance from competing and performing to choreographing, teaching and hanging out with Irish Dance friends. When not at dance I attend Libertyville High School, and keep busy on the soccer team.
PAIGE SCOTT
Student Assistant - Team Training
I'm 16 years old and an 'A' Honor roll sophomore at John Hersey High School, a long and triple jumper on the Hershey track and field team, and I am also a member of the state placing math team. I compete in the Championship level of Irish dance competition and have been to the regional championships. This July I will be competing at the North American Championships for the first time! I love Irish dancing because I'm able to compete, perform and meet a lot of wonderful people in the process. I enjoy assisting in Irish dance class because, for me, there is no better feeling than knowing that I was able to help a younger dancer work to improve or achieve a goal. Seeing a result of their efforts at a show, feis or even class brings me a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. A feeling that I hope all of Anam Mor dancers feel as well.