Creative team

Paula Goulding
Director & Choreographer
Paula finished out a 7 year run with Riverdance where she was dance captain and lead understudy and immediately went on to co-produce, direct and choreograph ‘Dancing Thru The Ages’ which ran for 6 years in Ireland. Paula hails from Co. Waterford and danced under the tutelage of the renowned Michael Ryan School. Along with performing the lead role in various shows and with well known artists like the Chieftains she has danced her way across the globe spanning 5 continents with a memorable 18 month run on Broadway, NYC with Riverdance.

Shane McAvinchey
Director & Choreographer
At the young age of 16 Shane started his professional dance career with Riverdance, where he spent four years performing on stages and television stations across the globe. Shane has since performed principal roles in various productions worldwide including ‘The High Kings’, ‘Dancing Thru the Ages’, ‘Ragus’ and as a featured dancer with the ‘Niamh Ní Charra Band’. Shane has conducted workshops worldwide and is the co-director of the Sweeney-McAvinchey Irish Dance School in Germany.

Shannon Burke
Assistant Dance Director
Shannon Burke from Co.Cork began dancing at the age of five. Obtaining several championship titles, she decided to pursue Irish Dance professionally by studying for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Irish Dance at the University of Limerick. She made her professional debut working as Dance Captain for the Irish and Broadway production of Fáinne Óir.

Pierre O'Reilly
Musical Producer & Composer
A graduate of the Royal College of Music and MTU Cork School of Music, Pierre is a London-based composer and producer. As Producer, his work includes the world premiere of Aliens Live (James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi motion picture with live orchestra) in 2016, James Horner: A Life In Music in 2017 and Blade Runner Live (Ridley Scott’s 1982 noir sci-fi classic with live band) in 2019; all taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Pierre’s most recent composition work includes composing the music for 2 six-part Emmy-nominated (2019) New York Times series entitled ‘Conception’ and Laurence Ralph’s ‘The Torture Letters’ (2020) for The New York Times and Princeton University.

Benedict Morris
Composer
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2019, Benedict Morris from Glasgow is a rising star of traditional music. Bene’s duo project released their debut album “Wavelength” in November 2018 earning themselves a place on the Long List for the Northern Ireland Music Prize in 2019 as well as several 5 star reviews. Coupled with joining multi-award winning bands in Talisk & Dallahan in 2021, Benedict has also gone on to write several commissions and works for his own music, enveloped in luscious string writing, creating his own signature sound for his forthcoming solo album.

Cormac Crummey
Composer
Cormac Crummey is considered to be one of the most anticipated musicians on the traditional Irish music scene; the twenty-four year old hails from Belfast and has toured globally with several artists such as At First Light, Peter Corry, Lisa Canny, Cúig, ‘The Young Irelanders’ and has ventured as far as North America, Australia, Africa and beyond with several other touring shows.
Cast

Aaron O'Grady
The Poet
Aaron is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Cork, Ireland. He has been traveling and playing music all across Ireland, Europe, and the US since 2016, performing in venues from the mountainside of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa to the stages of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Rachel Mintz
Lead Dancer / Aisling
Rachel Mintz began dancing with the Yvonne Kelly Dance Academy in Newmarket, Ontario at the age of three and continues to dance and teach at the same studio today. Rachel has trained and competed in Irish, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre but Irish dancing remains her passion. In 2017, she experienced her first professional dance tour as a member of Celtic Energy, an Irish dance troupe that toured China.

Samantha Felling
Lead Dancer / Brigid
St. Louis native, Samantha Felling, fell in love with Irish Dancing at the age of 5 and hasn’t looked back since. Samantha dances for The Clark Academy and has found success competing at the regional, national, and world level. Samantha has recently begun her professional dance career, making her debut with Celtic Illusion on their 2022 North American tour.

Natasha Woytiuk
Lead Dancer / Róisín
Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Natasha danced for the Bernadette Short School of Irish Dancing for over fifteen years. Natasha has toured internationally with companies such as Celtic Illusion, Murphy’s Celtic Legacy, The Young Irelanders, Irish Dance Theatre, and performed with the world famous Lord of the Dance in their Feet of Flames performances. She is also co-founder, with partner Lucas Lawton, of IDanceDuo.

Michael Roberson
Featured Dancer / Bres
Michael Roberson grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas where he learned Irish dancing at the McCafferty School of Irish Dance. Michael has acted as a choreographer, dance captain and performer in multiple productions around the United States, including Untapped’s “Rhythmic Roots,” Brooklyn Irish Dance’s “A Celtic Christmas Story,” The Muses’ “Celtic Spring,” and CMI Productions’ “Celtic Angels.”

Elyse Transon
Troupe
Elyse Transon grew up Irish dancing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and started her professional dance career in 2010 during her senior year at the University of Minnesota. Since then she has worked as a company dancer, principal dancer, dance captain, choreographer, tour manager in multiple productions. When she is not on stage, Elyse owns and operates the Milwaukee Irish Dance Studio.

Kendal Griffler
Troupe
New York native Kendal Griffler began dancing at the age of four and hasn’t stopped since! She danced competitively for the Early McLoughlin School of Irish Dance where she found success on the regional, national and world level. Career highlights include being casted as a featured role in Fáinne Óir, a contemporary dance and music production choreographed by Ciara Sexton, Kendal most recently toured with Celtic Illusion as the understudy for the female lead role.

Michaela Fernandes
Troupe
Michaela Fernandes grew up in Goderich, Ontario where she started her dance experience in ballet at a very young age. A few years later she began Irish dancing and has never looked back. Since then, she has toured with various companies including Irish Dance Theatre and The American Company of Irish Dance.

Lauren Maier
Troupe
Lauren was born and raised in Kelowna, British Columbia, and dances for the Knock O’Hogan School of Irish Dance in Edmonton, Alberta. Some of Lauren’s competitive accomplishments include placing in the top 10 at the North American Championships, top 5 at the Canadian Nationals, and winning the Western Canadian Oireachtas. Lauren is a member of the Canadian Irish Dance Company.

Anya Deering
Troupe

Cece Trapani
Troupe
Currently residing in Peachtree City, Ga. Cierra dances with the Kavanagh Porter Academy. Cece has been dancing for over 15 years and has won the Southern Region Oireachtas, placed top 5 twice at the North American National Championships, and has ranked 15th in the World. Having completed her Associates Degree, Cierra is an aspiring TCRG and currently assists in teaching beginners and adults at the KPA studio.

Fiona Reynolds
Troupe
Fiona Reynolds is from Ottawa, Canada, and dances with the Sue Fay Healy School of Irish Dance. Fiona started dancing at the age of 4, and following in her sisters’ footsteps, developed a love for Irish Dance. Fiona has consistently placed at Oireachtas, Nationals and is a 2022 World medal holder.

Jordyn Haynes
Troupe
Jordyn is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where she dances for the Bell School of Irish Dance. She has placed in the top forty at the World Championships, top fifteen at the North American Championships, and top three at the Mid America Oireachtas. Jordyn has a passion for performing and is excited to begin her professional Irish Dance career with AMCO’s production of “Aisling.”

Sarah Kelly
Troupe
Sarah Kelly is from Ottawa, Canada and began Irish dancing at the age of 5 along with other dance styles like Jazz, Ballet, and Tap. She joined the Sue Fay Healy Irish Dance Studio at the age of 10 so she could focus solely on Irish dancing and competition. Sarah has achieved top 3 and top 5 podium finishes at major championships as a solo and team dancer and is a multiple-time world qualifier. Sarah had the honour to perform with the Chieftains at their farewell tour in 2019 and for Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla in Canada’s 150th celebration ceremony.

Oli Gething
Troupe
Oli Gething hails from the south of England, where he trained with the Boyle O’Dowda Academy. After starting dancing at the age of five, he quickly fell in love with it both as a sport and an artform. After competing successfully for a number of years Oli turned his focus toward show dancing. He feels blessed to be able to bring his passion for performance to the stage full-time now, dancing in the cast of ‘Riverdance’, and working as dance captain and lead in ‘Avalon Celtic Dances’.

Ronan Kristufek
Troupe
Ronan Kristufek began Irish Dancing at the age of 9 with the Onórach Mulhern Geraghty School. Since then, Ronan has become a three time Mid America Oireachtas champion, two time North American champion, and 3 time world medalist. Aisling is Ronan’s first professional endeavor, and he is very excited and grateful to begin his career with an AMCO production.

Cillian Sweeney
Troupe
Cillian Sweeney was born in Germany to Irish parents where he started dancing at the age of 5 with Sweeney-McAvinchey. He has won 6 European Championship titles along with placing top 15 multiple times at the World Championships and getting 2nd at the British Nationals. Cillian started show dancing across Germany, from performing at the world renowned ‘Circus Krone’ to taking part in the St Patrick’s Day parade and then to eventually go on his first professional tour with ‘Celtic Legends’ in France in 2021-2022.

Joey Roca
Troupe
Growing up in Florida, Joey Roca started his Irish dance journey at 13 years old. He quickly made his way through the ranks and has achieved regional, national, and international competitive success. In addition to his technical skill, Joey is also an experienced performer, entertaining and impressing audiences all over the world. Since early 2017, he has been a valuable asset to several prestigious Irish dance companies.

Sergio Tellez
Troupe
Sergio Téllez is a professional percussionist and dancer from Mexico City. He joined The Inishfree School of Irish Dance and went on to win 5 regional titles and also placing top 5 at the US Nationals and top 10 at The World Championships. Sergio currently teaches Irish dance in Mexico. Sergio has performed with CMI Productions, ‘Celtic Angels’, touring USA in 2021 and 2022 and is incredibly excited to now be performing with The American Company of Irish Dance.