The Teachers

Mary

Mary G. Clarkson, Director and principal instructor of the Clarkson School of Irish Dance, has extensive experience in dance and dance education. From the age of five through age sixteen, Ms. Clarkson attended tap, ballet, jazz, and acrobatic classes with Jays Dance Studio. While in high school at Incarnate Word Academy, Ms. Clarkson also studied dance technique under the renowned Dolores Wein of Lalla Bauman Dance Studio. Early on, Ms. Clarkson had a strong interest in traditional Irish dance, but Irish dance classes were not readily available in the St. Louis area at that time. Formal Irish dance lessons did not become part of Ms. Clarkson's dance experience until she was twelve years old. Ms. Clarkson studied Irish dance with both the Hazelton Academy of Irish Dance and the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. While part of Trinity Academy, Ms. Clarkson was a senior dance captain and taught all levels of classes on a regular basis on behalf of her Chicago-based instructor, Mark Howard. After retiring from competitive Irish dance and from taking formal instruction, Ms. Clarkson was often sought for individual classes, workshops, and performances.

Ms. Clarkson received a dual degree in deaf/elementary education from Fontbonne University and has taught grammar school since graduating in 1984. While teaching in grammar school full-time and after opening her own dance school in 1989, Ms. Clarkson also pursued her TCRG (Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rincí Gaelacha), her Irish dance teachers certification from An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. Upon passing her TCRG exam in October, 1990, Ms. Clarkson became the first St. Louis Irish dancer to gain full accreditation and licensing from the Irish Dance commission in Ireland. In December, 2002, Ms. Clarkson opened her first studio. With increasing enrollment and the aim to provide her students with the best quality dance conditions, Ms. Clarkson opened a new and improved studio in November, 2005.

Ms. Clarkson is extremely proud of all of her students. They perform and compete throughout the country. Two of her former students of whom she is particularly proud are Katie Kinney, who is now a TCRG, and Mary Jo Clark, who is now a TCRG and toured as an Irish dance troupe member with Riverdance. Ms. Clarkson is very proud of her dancers' accomplishments at the World Championships with medalists Alicia Andersen, Mary Jo Clark, Julia Crump, Kaitlin McAlexander and Colleen McGlynn, Great Britain Championships medalists Alicia Andersen and Colleen McGlynn and All Ireland Championships medalists Patrick Smith, Mary Jo Clark, and Leah Gantz.

Katie

Katie Kinney, Instructor with the Clarkson School of Irish Dance, has extensive dance experience as both a student and instructor. Miss Kinney began her dance career at the age of four with ballet and tap classes. At nine, she added jazz and at twelve, pointe. Katie studied ballet, pointe, tap and jazz until graduating from Ursuline Academy in 2001. Miss Kinney began Irish dance classes with the Clarkson School of Irish Dance when she was eleven. She progressed successfully through local competitions and was chosen to represent the Clarkson School of Irish Dance in the MidAmerican Oireachtas, the North American National Championships, and the All Ireland Championships. Miss Kinney brought home regional and national awards.

In the fall of 2001, Miss Kinney moved to Chicago to attend Dominican University. While in college, she studied dance with Rince Na Cara (now Norton-Healy) in Elmhurst, Illinois. Miss Kinney took her TCRG examination and received her official teaching certification in January, 2004. Following TCRG certification, Miss Kinney completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology-Chemistry from Dominican University, and moved back home to St. Louis and the Clarkson School of Irish Dance. Miss Kinney has been an instructor with the Clarkson School of Irish Dance since her return to St. Louis.

Mary Jo

Born and raised in St. Louis, Mary Jo Clark started her Irish Dancing career only due to good fortune, as her younger sister, Cayla, showed a growing interest and desire to take Irish Dancing classes. Mary Jo's mother, Lori, following her motherly instincts, thought Mary Jo should try, too. Mary Jo grudgingly attended her first lesson. Ironically enough, Cayla's involvement lasted less than one year, but Mary Jo was hooked.

Under Mary Clarkson's direction, Mary Jo has become the accomplished dancer she is today. She has not only traveled across the United States to regional and national competitions, but has ventured abroad to compete in the World Championships and All-Ireland Championships, medaling in those competitions.

After training at the Clarkson School of Irish Dance since age 12, Mary Jo Clark completed tours with the highly acclaimed Riverdance. Mary Jo had the opportunity to perform in various cities in North America and Canada, including Boston, Toronto, Atlanta and, of course, St. Louis.

In addition to her successful Irish Dancing career, Mary Jo received her Bachelors Degree in Public Relations from Webster University. Mary Jo earned her TCRG in March, 2007. She is currently a teacher with the Clarkson School.