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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.
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.
Mary started Irish dancing in 1997 with Trinity Academy in Milwaukee. She progressed through the levels, reaching Championship level at age 13. Mary competed at many regional and national competitions, both individually and in a team setting, and in 2009, she switched to M.I.D.A. That year, she was given the opportunity to compete at All-Irelands in solo and team competitions, fulfilling her lifelong dream to dance on an international stage in Ireland. Mary graduated from Brookfield Academy in 2010, and she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in English from UWM. She is thrilled to be part of the M.I.D.A. teaching staff and is happy to be able to share her love for Irish dance with others.
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