Our Staff:
Founder/Director Mickie Richardson, TCRG
Mickie has been Irish step dancing for over 27 years, the first half of those spent competing in numerous feisanna (competitions) where she reached the adult championship level. She began her Irish dance career in 1997 as an adult looking for a fun form of exercise with Judy De Napoli of St. Brendan's School of Irish Dance. She quickly took to the dance and rose through the ranks of competition. St. Brendan's later became Celtic Steps School of Irish Dance, and Mickie continued her dancing instruction and teaching under Lord of the Dance leads and school directors Shaun Casey ADCRG and Aisling Toal-Casey ADCRG.
Mickie's list of accomplishments include winning Colorado Adult State champion, participating in trophy-winning ceili teams, competing at Western Regional Oireachtas, and dancing on stage with both the Colorado Springs Symphony and world famous recording group The Chieftains.
After 15 years of dancing and assistant teaching, not to mention starting a family and raising 2 sons, Mickie tested and received her TCRG certification from An Coimisiun Le Rince Gaelacha (The Irish Dancing Commission) in 2012. She has taught Irish dance in the Woodland Park area for over 20 years. Mickie is also a retired elementary school teacher in Woodland Park with 28 years experience.
Miss Mickie is assisted in classes by Diane Poole (27 year adult Irish Dance veteran) and senior dancer Lola Garverick.
Mickie's list of accomplishments include winning Colorado Adult State champion, participating in trophy-winning ceili teams, competing at Western Regional Oireachtas, and dancing on stage with both the Colorado Springs Symphony and world famous recording group The Chieftains.
After 15 years of dancing and assistant teaching, not to mention starting a family and raising 2 sons, Mickie tested and received her TCRG certification from An Coimisiun Le Rince Gaelacha (The Irish Dancing Commission) in 2012. She has taught Irish dance in the Woodland Park area for over 20 years. Mickie is also a retired elementary school teacher in Woodland Park with 28 years experience.
Miss Mickie is assisted in classes by Diane Poole (27 year adult Irish Dance veteran) and senior dancer Lola Garverick.
Costume Mistress Diane Poole
Diane began Irish Dancing with Mickie in 1997, competing in the adult ranks, and particularly enjoys group/ceili dancing.
Her sewing experience began when she was 14 and has grown to encompass many aspects of the trade over the years. Diane has worked on costume design and instruction for 2 other Irish dance schools before ours. She also enjoys research, design, and construction of historical clothing, and she has pieces juried into Williamsburg and Bent's Fort historical sites. We are very lucky and proud to have her services, expertise, and attention to detail dedicated to our school!
Her sewing experience began when she was 14 and has grown to encompass many aspects of the trade over the years. Diane has worked on costume design and instruction for 2 other Irish dance schools before ours. She also enjoys research, design, and construction of historical clothing, and she has pieces juried into Williamsburg and Bent's Fort historical sites. We are very lucky and proud to have her services, expertise, and attention to detail dedicated to our school!
