Rebecca McGowan
Rebecca McGowan performs, choreographs, and teaches traditional Irish dance. With a strong foundation in step dancing, her dancing also draws on the musicality of older-style and sean-nós dance, the grace of soft shoe, and the joy social dance traditions. Rebecca has performed at the Kennedy Center, in WGBH’s “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn,” and at numerous festivals on the east coast. She currently performs with duet partner Jackie O'Riley, in Kieran Jordan Dance, and in a variety of collaborations. As a child, Rebecca began dancing with Clare Sullivan, and as an adult studied with Kieran Jordan and the Culkin School. Rebecca has been on the faculty of the Catskills Irish Arts Week, Pinewoods Camp, and CCE MAD Week, and directs a non-competitive step dancing program for all ages based in Cambridge and Arlington www.RebeccaMcGowanDance.com
Madeleine Frasca
Madeleine Frasca started Irish step dancing at age five with the Goulding School of Irish Dance in Medford, MA. Madeleine performed and competed in solo and team competitions all over the New England Region and United States as well as in the 2013 World Championships. Since retiring from competition, Madeleine has refocused on her love of the musicality, artistry and diversity of Irish dance and enjoys developing her own contemporary style within the rich traditions of the form.
Hannah DeRusha
Hannah DeRusha is a lifelong Irish dancer. She grew up competing and performing with the Griffith Academy in Wethersfield, CT, where she attended the North American Irish Dance Championships and was part of the Griffith Celtic Dance Company. Since moving to Boston, Hannah has explored the more traditional aspects of Irish Dance, including old-style step dancing, sean-nos, and set dancing with Kieran Jordan, Jaclyn O'Riley, Patrick O'Dea, and Michael Tubridy. She also has a background in improv comedy. Hannah's choreography has been showcased at productions in the area including the Boston Celtic Music Festival, Green Street Studios' Titania, the MIT Dance Troupe, O'Riley Irish Dance, Miss Louise's School of Dance, and Melrose Irish Fest and she has performed often with Kieran Jordan Dance. Hannah holds a Master's degree in early childhood education and has been teaching Irish Dance to children and adults for over ten years.
McKenna Curtis
McKenna has been dancing since she was 3 years old, but began Irish dancing at age 12. She spent many years training at Drumcliffe Irish Arts and has competed at the regional, national and world championship level. For the past few years, she was a dancer and choreographer in the Northeastern University Dance Company and also helped to start the Irish Dance Club of Northeastern University.
Colleen Ryan
Colleen has 20+ years of competitive Irish dancing experience at the regional, national, and international levels. She has performed with artists such as Tony Kenny and the Boston Ballet and has appeared in live television performances, parades, and promotional videos. While a student at Regis College, Colleen spread her love for Irish music and dance by creating the Irish Dance Club. She continued to perform while studying abroad at the University College Cork where she and her team won the 2012 All-Ireland intravarsity competition.
Elizabeth Eyermann
Growing up in Boston, Elizabeth danced for the O’Shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance and has always loved tapping into her and the city’s Irish heritage. Elizabeth has performed at Boston’s First Night, Fenway Park, with the Christmas Revels, and countless other celebrations, and she is excited to continue to share her love of Irish dance with the Greater Boston community through Rising Step. With O’Shea Chaplin, Elizabeth competed at regional and national championships, the 2012 All Irelands in Dublin, and the 2013 World Championships in Boston. When she is not dancing, Elizabeth loves getting outdoors for a good hike, exploring new places, and trying new recipes.
Gwendolyn Sands
Gwendolyn fell in love with Irish Dancing at the age of 8 when she started classes at the McFadden Academy of Irish Dance, and spent the following 15 years performing around Vermont, competing regionally and nationally, and immersing herself in the local Irish music culture. After moving to Boston for college, Gwendolyn finished out her competitive dancing career with the O’Shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance. Some highlights include performing with the Chieftains, participating in an Irish Dance flash mob, and dancing annually in the New Year’s Eve festival in Burlington. Since retiring from competition in 2018 Gwendolyn has kept up her love of dancing through assisting with children’s dance classes, taking exams to work towards her Irish dance teaching certificate, and now participating in Rising Step.
Alicia Cook
Originally from upstate New York, Alicia has been Irish Dancing for over twenty years. She trained and performed with both the Broesler School and the An Clar School of Irish Dance in the Mid Atlantic region, competing in many local, national, and international competitions, including the World Championships. During college, Alicia performed and choreographed with her school's Irish Dance company, which blended contemporary forms of dance with traditional step dancing. After graduating from college, Alicia also competed and performed with the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance in Chicago. She is now excited to continue to pursue and grow her love for Irish Dance along with other forms of dance, music, and movement!