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Kay LaGreca, TCRG Instructor Kay Brown LaGreca began dancing in County Cork, Ireland at the age of five. After moving to Texas, she grew to love Irish dance under the instruction of Emily Touzin. She continued to dance with Emily until she met Eoin O'Maoileidigh in April of 1994. Kay attended her first competition under Eoin in June of 1994 and swiftly began to work her way through the levels. In March of 1995, after less than a year of dedicated practice and class time, Kay entered her first preliminary championship, where she won third place. She continued competing successfully for the next three years, during which she won the Southern Region Oireachtas and qualified for Worlds. In January of 1998, Kay's beloved teacher Eoin moved back to Ireland and left the school to Kay. The school was supported by Colm O'Maoileidigh, TCRG until Kay became TCRG certified in October of 2001. The school now known as the Shandon School of Irish dance (named for the Shandon bells in County Cork) has enjoyed many successes over the years including regular recalls and qualifications for Worlds at the Southern Region Oireachtas and recalls and placings at the North American Irish Dance Championships. Eoin O'Maoileidigh, TCRG Originally from Dublin Ireland, Eoin is the youngest son of the late Maitiu O Maoileidigh, director of the famous Inis Ealga School of Irish Dance. Eoin started his dance career at the early age of 3 where he was enrolled in the Inis Ealga School. He danced his first world championship (minor Ceili) at the age of 9, and he and his team placed 1st. This proved to be the first of many 1st place titles held by Eoin. Eoin's teaching career was also early to bloom as he started helping out at the Inis Ealga school at age 13. He later moved to America and started teaching in both Arizona and Los Angeles. During this period, Eoin taught workshops and Master classes to Irish dance schools in many US states. He has also taught master classes to ballet and tap schools across the U.S. Eoin moved to Texas in 1993 where he opened and directed the Clann Lir School of Irish Dance. Clann Lir dancers were frequent competitors at the world championship level. Eoin returned home to Ireland in 1998, leaving the school in the capable hands of former student Kay LaGreca. The school became known as the Shandon School of Irish Dance. Once home, Eoin taught with family members in two different dance schools concurrently. He has travelled the world extensively teaching, performing and leading dance troupes on international stages, including, England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, France, Austria, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Poland, and Barbados. In 2008, Eoin returned to Texas to teach with the Shandon School of Irish Dance. Shandon Irish dancers regularly perform at nursing homes, schools, parades, and festivals in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, including the Downtown Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade and the North Texas Irish Festival at Fair Park. |
 Kay and her oldest daughter Ciara before a performance. |
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Kay LaGreca TCRG |