Our Members and Associates

South East Region - England

* The Drumenagh School Of Irish Dancing 

Classes taught by Cieran Exley in South Ockendon and Grays, Thurrock, Essex. 

* The Jordan Academy 

Classes taught by Julie Jordan TCRG in Rainham, Barking and Dagenham Essex

* Grove Irish Dancers 

Classes taught by Elaine Day, Laura Day and Kearney Harding in Swanscombe Kent. 

London Region - England

* The London Academy 

Classes taught by Erin Coyle in East, South East and North London

The East Region - England

* The Claddagh School

Classes taught by Sandie Bunda TCRG in Tring, Heartforshire.

East Midlands Region - England 

* Kathleen Grace Academy Of Irish Dance 

Classes taught by Kerry Pancutt in Northampton. 

* The Burden Academy 

Classes taught by Shaun Burden TCRG in Leicester. 

* The Davey Academy 

Classes taught by Michele Davey TCRG in Welwyn Garden City and Northampton.

West Midlands Region - England 

* Phoenix Academy Of Irish Dancing

Classes taught by Rebecca Forster TCRG in Rugby. 

Northern Region - England 

* The Cordon Academy 

Classes taught by Scott Cordon in Leeds

* The Thompson Academy Of Irish Dance

Classes taught by Sylvia Thompson in Harrogate and Leeds

* Barnsley Irish Dance Academy

Classes taught by Tamara Doherty in Barnsley

* Ferris Irish Dance Academy 

Classes taught by Jade Clibbens in Pudsey Leeds. 

North West Region- England 

* Pheonix Odyssey 

Classes taught by Eileen Plater TCRG ADCRG in Rossendale 

North East Region - England 

* Carson Connelly Academy Of Irish Dance

Classes taught by Lauren Carson in West Rainton Durham  

Scotland UK

Central Scotland

* Na Laochra Irish Dance 

Classes taught by LisaClaire Finnon TCRG in Central Scotland and Fife. 

United States of America 

Western Region - USA

* Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company 

Classes taught by Amber Sterland and David Morgan in Greater Seattle. 

Meet Our Chief Executive

Daniel Bolger

My name is Daniel Bolger, and I am the chairperson and a founding member of CNRG. My journey into the world of Irish dance began at the age of four when my parents took me to my first class. This early start led me to achieve numerous titles, including placing in the top 10 at the CLRG World Championships in 2014. I have danced in both CLRG and Open Platform.

At 14, while in Year 10, I taught myself to play feis music, which has allowed me to perform across the globe at many different feiseanna. This musical journey was a natural extension of my passion for Irish culture.

In addition to my dancing and music achievements, I also created and designed Reel Digital Feis Score, a unique scoring system exclusive to CNRG. This innovation has helped modernise and streamline competitions within our organisation.

As chairperson of CNRG, I am committed to fostering a supportive, fair, safe and transparent community for Irish dancers, teachers and schools ensuring the legacy and growth of our rich cultural heritage.

Meet Our Teachers and Schools 

Sandie Bunda - The Claddagh School 

The Claddagh School opened when I turned 16 and ended my competitive dancing career due to injury, but my love of the sport couldn’t keep me away. With the help of my dancing teacher and lifelong friend Bernie Carter and the support of my soul mate, my Mum Margaret Hartford a blue and orange dream was born. By the time I was 17 my dancers were entering feis and continued to do so until I gave my dance school up to go back to competitive dancing * for one whole feis before I realised my love now laid within teaching and seeing the success of my dancers. I toured around New York and Florida with 2 dance shows before Claddaghs rebirth in 2009.
Many dancers have since passed through the school, and we even have 2nd generation Claddagh dancers now! We have always prided ourselves on being a dance family, and are still in touch with all of our grown up dancers.
Margaret was always the beginners teacher, and since passing away 4 years ago I haven’t tried to grow the school, until now, a new opportunity to fall back in love with my passion. Im hoping my daughters will too, Heres to the next Blue and Orange chapter. In love, loyalty and friendship. 

Shaun Burden - The Burden Academy 

The Burden Academy of Irish Dancing was opened in 2011 by Shaun and his wife Emma in Leicester.

Shaun started his own dancing journey at the age of 4 with the Doherty Academy of Irish Dancing in CLRG taught by Marie Connell and Danny Doherty.

Shaun competed as a solo dancer until the age of 16, working closely with both Danny and Marie and later John Carey. In 2003, Shaun was drafted into the u16 mixed figure team for the Worlds in Killarney due to an injury, his one and only worlds appearance. From which he took home a gold medal.

After an 8 year gap, Shaun began teaching in Leicester to encourage Irish dancing to be picked back up in the city. After 2 years of performances and charity work, the academy found Open Platform and enjoyed early success.

The Academy then became a part of the UK Region of CRDM for 8 years, with 7 dancers representing the academy on two separate occasions at the World Championships and also various achievements at the All Irelands. During that time the academy took home both All Ireland and British National titles as well as a 2nd place globe in the Men’s Open World Championships in 2016. During that time Shaun completed his TCRG with the organisation before leaving in 2022.

The Academy stands by a family orientated culture, where the support between students, parents and extended family members is something which is a huge contributing factor towards the success over the years.

Lauren Carson - Carson Connelly Academy

Lauren’s love for Irish Dance began at the tender age of six and has never relented.

Competing and performing in the sport for over 20 years and across the UK and Ireland, Lauren has gained a wealth of experience, not just from her onstage successes, but also with her supportive and caring nature as she was already nurturing the next generation long before the birth of Carson Connelly Academy of Irish Dance.

A children’s nurse outside of the dancing world, her dancers’ happiness and enjoyment of the sport are always at the heart of her school and her teaching - an approach instilled within her by her mentor Cieran Exley of the Drumenagh School.

Scott Cordon - The Cordon Academy 

My name is Scott Cordon, and I have been involved in Irish dancing for 30 years. Starting at the age of 4 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Our family moved to Leeds, England, where I continued Irish Dancing under the tuition of the Joyce-O'Donnell School of Irish Dance (CLRG). Throughout my competitive career, I obtained titles from all major competitions, including British Nationals, All Scotlands, North American Nationals, and the prestigious Senior Men's All Ireland title.

The Cordon Academy of Irish Dance was established in March 2023 with the aim of passing on the knowledge, discipline, and love I had gained over the last 30 years. Within our first year, we obtained 4 world globes, including 1 world champion. Our lessons are inclusive and fun and provide a safe space for girls and boys wanting to learn the art of Irish dancing whilst making friendships along the way.

Erin Coyle - The London Academy

Erin started dancing at the age of eight and was hooked from day one and since then Irish Dance has always been Erin’s main passion but education and work came into the mix and Erin had to take some years off to grow her carrer.
After a five year break, Erin came back to Irish dancing and quickly started to compete again and then decided to move to Open Platform for a more fair and friendly atmosphere. Erin combines her love of travel and Irish dancing and has attended feis all over Europe including Latvia, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and Romania as well as all over the UK and Ireland.
Erin opened her first class in 2017 to both adults and children of all abilities. London Academy 2 World Champions and an All Ireland Champions as well as multiple podium placers. In 2024, Erin was invited to become an instructor at the Pineapple Studios in London, becoming the first permanent Irish Dance teacher at the iconic studio.
Erin and everyone at London Academy are delighted to be a part of CNRG and look forward to being in a growing organisation.

Michele Davey - The Davey Academy 

Founded in 2020, The Davey Academy of Irish dance is a dance academy based in Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire ran by Michele Davey TCRG.
Michele started Irish dancing at the age of 5 and has competed at a high level since then, gaining many championship titles in the process including European and World champion.
Together we work as a team making sure we focus completely on pushing to achieve the best that we can whilst having the most amount of fun in the process.

Tamara Doherty - Barnsley Irish Dance Academy 

I have been dancing since the age of 5 to world championship level. I retired from competing at the age of 24 and started teaching.
We do lots of dance displays around Barnsley and other areas and love to share our love of dancing with other people.
We are a warm and friendly school and like to think of our school as a small family.
My niece began to assist teaching when she gave up competing and now teaches as well.
We love to encourage everyone of all ages and abilities. 

Cieran Exley - Drumenagh School Of Irish Dancing 

I started learning to dance at the age of 7 with the Majko school. My competing career began aged 8. In the March of that year, winning through all grades. I gained my first Open Championship win in the November and my first All Ireland title in May the following year, aged 9. Never losing any major title, I was lucky enough to have the support of fantastic parents and a wonderful teacher. I went on to become British Isles Champion, 3x All England Champion and 5x All Ireland Champion, never having the opportunity to compete at a Worlds. After hanging up my shoes aged 19, when clubbing and boys became more attractive than the hard work needed at classes, the new found freedom of having my weekends free to do as I pleased felt wonderful. However it wasn’t long before I missed what had been such a massive part of my life. The Drumenagh School of Irish Dancing opened in 1999 and is based in Thurrock, Essex. We celebrate 25 years this year. It’s home to numerous title holders including, All England, All Scotland, All Ireland , Double European, British National & eight World Champions. I have made life long friends. Friends that have become just like family through a hobby started as a 7 year old and I wouldn’t change a single moment of any of it.

LisaClaire Finnon - Na Laochra Irish Dance 

Lisa's journey in Irish dance began in 1999 when she started dancing with CLRG. Here she danced for 18 years with a successful competitive career that saw her participating in prestigious international competitions, including the Great Britains (GBs), All Irelands, All Scotland, North American Nationals, and World Championships. These events showcased her talent and dedication, obtaining recalls in several team and solo competitions.

In 2017, Lisa decided to pursue a more relaxed approach to competing, leading her to move to the open platform. This transition allowed her to establish her own Irish dance school, Na Laochra Irish Dance. Within the first year of its inception, Na Laochra produced its first World Champion, setting a precedent for excellence that would define the school. Under Lisa's guidance, Na Laochra continued to nurture multiple champion dancers. In 2022, Lisa further solidified her professional credentials by obtaining her TCRG certification.

By the end of 2023, Na Laochra Irish Dance had grown and evolved, joining CNRG as a member school. This milestone was accompanied by the addition of Andrea to the teaching team, marking a new chapter for the school.

Andrea, a former CLRG champion dancer, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Na Laochra Irish Dance. Her impressive competitive background provides significant value to the school's teaching team. Known for her deep understanding of the dance form and her ability to inspire students, Andrea has quickly become an integral part of Na Laochra's success.

Together, Lisa and Andrea combine their strengths to create a unique blend of traditional and innovative choreography. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in producing strong, confident dancers across all ages and levels. Their shared vision and dedication ensures that Na Laochra Irish Dance remains at the forefront of Irish dance education, continuing to achieve remarkable success.

Rebecca Forster - Phoenix Academy 

Phoenix Academy of Irish Dance established in 2017 by Rebecca Forster TCRG.
Rebecca has been involved in Irish dance since the age of 8 where she danced under the McElvogue School until the age of 21, winning multiple CLRG North East regional Oireachtas and competing at world championship level. Rebecca later moved to Northen Ireland and continued competing until the age of 23 when she undertook her TCRG qualification and began teaching in open platform Irish dance until 2015 when she returned to England and opened the Phoenix Academy in 2017. Classes are run twice weekly in Rugby Warwickshire and has seen countless success across open platform Irish dance, gaining All England, World and National champions. Phoenix Academy offer group classes, private lessons, workshops and the opportunity to perform in both feises and displays throughout the year.

Eileen Plater - Phoenix Odyssey 

Kerry Pancutt - KP Irish Dance

Kerry started competing at the age of 7 for Phipps School in Hertfordshire. What was meant to be just a bit of fun and laughs with her cousin, turned in to a life long passion. After only 2 weeks of starting her cousin gave up but Kerry decided to keep at it!

At the age of 21 Kerry gave up dancing to become a mum and was not long after she had her son was straight back at class.
Kerry decided to retire not long after returning and competed at her last ever championship,WIDA Europeans.
Kerry was never a stranger to dancing as her younger sister still competed so was often at feis.
After a few years Kerry decided to start teaching alongside Ann and opened a up a branch in Northampton where she was then living.
Kerry then decided to go independent with her school and joined CRDM which she completed her music exam, dance practice exam and teaching exam towards her TCRG, after which she moved to open platform and become an executive committee member of CNRG. 

Amber Sterland and David Morgan - Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company 

Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company began as Rowan Fae Irish Dancers in 1997. In 2013, Amber had the pleasure of taking over the school from a dear friend and teacher. Rowan Fae has become a retirement home for former CLRG competitive dancers who miss the joy of performing and prefer the relaxed approach that open platform provides. We are also home to those who love Irish dance, music, and culture. Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company strives to support our dance and fitness education with a breadth of curriculum and experiences that help Americans connect and understand Irish culture- past and present.
Today, Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company is owned by Amber and her husband, who hails from Nottingham- aye-up! Amber began Irish dance as an adult student at Rowan Fae, alongside her children. Rowan Fae Irish Dance company is co-directed by David Morgan. David began his dance career with Rowan Fae, then left for a local CLRG school where he gained invaluable experience and impressive competition results. David returned to Rowan Fae in 2022!
Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company offers classes and private lessons in the Greater Seattle area and online, taught by Amber Sterland and David Morgan.

Sylvia Thompson - The Thompson Academy 

My name is Sylvia Thompson and I am from Dublin, Ireland. I started Irish Dancing at the age of 5 under the teaching of renowned Irish Dancer Teacher Mr Sean Doherty. I enjoyed considerable success in feiseanna throughout Dublin and Ireland.

Having moved to Leeds in 1993 I was given an opportunity to teach Irish Dancing to pupils in a local school. Since opening my first class under Thompson Academy, we have produced champion dancers in regionals and World Championships.