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 Stegeman, TCRG, and Alicia Aileen Andersen of the Lord of the Dance Troupe. Additionally, Ms. Clarkson is proud of her dancers' success at World Championships, Great Britain Championships, All Ireland Championships, North American Irish Dance Championships, and Mid-American Championships. Her dancers have won numerous medals and placed as high as 7th in the World!

Kathleen

Kathleen Graham-Kelly started dancing at the age of three with Valerie Hazelton. Kathleen retired from competitive Irish dance in 1996 from the Lavin-Cassidy School, having danced under the direction of Ann Lavin Cassidy. Kathleen has won several championship competitions and is a four-time World Qualifier.

Ms. Graham-Kelly founded the Graham Academy of Irish Dance in 1996. She set out to establish a dancing studio rich in tradition and strong in values. She built a school that not only encompassed that, but also an environment where children could learn Irish Dancing in a fun, safe, and positive manner. Kathleen's belief is that a child is happiest when they truly enjoy what they are learning. Therefore, she encourages a well-rounded dancer with other interests in academics, sports, and the arts. Her beliefs come from her background. The youngest of five siblings, Kathleen's mother is from Ireland, and her father from Scotland.

Kathleen Graham-Kelly led the Graham Academy to four First Place MidWestern Championship titles and countless other Regional, National and International wins. She is TCRG certified and is a member of An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), IDTANA, and IDTAMA.

Jenny

Jenny Kelahan, Instructor at the Clarkson School of Irish Dance, began dancing at age four with ballet, tap, and jazz. At the age of 10, she started gymnastics and participated in that sport for 2 years. Jenny began Irish dancing in 1996 at age 12 with the encouragement of her parents, especially her dad. She started dancing with Kathleen Graham-Kelly and stayed with Kathleen her entire Irish dancing career. Throughout her 10 years of dancing, Jenny became a champion level Irish dancer ranking in the top five at the Midwest regional championships, qualified for World Championships three times, attended the All-Ireland Championships, and finished 11th at the North American National Championships.

During the last four years Jenny was competing, she was attending St. Louis University working on her Bachelor's degree in Occupational Science. While starting her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, Jenny studied for and took the TCRG exam. She received her teaching certification on her first try in March, 2007. In June, 2008, Jenny received her Master's degree from St. Louis University in Occupational Therapy. In addition to teaching at the Clarkson School, she works at St. Louis Children's Hospital in the Therapy Services Department.

Katie

Katie Kinney Stegeman, Instructor with the Clarkson School of Irish Dance, has extensive dance experience as both a student and instructor. Ms. Stegeman 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. Ms. Stegeman 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. Ms. Stegeman brought home regional and national awards.

In the fall of 2001, Ms. Stegeman moved to Chicago to attend Dominican University. While in college, she studied dance with Rince Na Cara in Elmhurst, Illinois. Ms. Stegeman took her TCRG examination and received her official teaching certification in January, 2004. Following TCRG certification, Ms. Stegeman 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. Ms. Stegeman has been an instructor with the Clarkson School of Irish Dance since her return to St. Louis.

Patty

Patty (McCarthy) Darrah started dancing at the age of nine. She was trained by one of North America's premier dance teachers, adjudicator and examiner, Rita O'Shea of Boston, Mass. Under Rita's direction, Patty became a champion level Irish dancer. During her dance career, she competed numerous times at the New England Oireachtas, Boston Oireachtas, and National Championships. She placed top-three numerous times at her Oireachtas appearances, second being her best. She placed fifth at National Championships and was World Qualifier numerous times. She was a member of many winning choreography, ceili and drama teams.

After retiring from competition, Patty continued dancing, expanding her knowledge in other forms of dance. She auditioned with 500 dancers and earned one of 19 coveted spots as a cheerleader/dancer for the NFL's New England Patriots. She was a six-year member and earned captain five of those years. She was voted Cheerleader-of-the-Year and represented the New England Patriots at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Patty was a backup dancer for Dion Sanders debut concert, and performed with Santana.

After retiring from the Patriots in 1997, Patty moved with her husband to Toronto, Canada. She was hired by the Canadian Football League as director and choreographer for the Toronto Argonauts dance team. Her team made local and national headlines, appeared on numerous television shows, and were the most sought-after dance troupe for corporate and charity events in Ontario. While in Canada, Patty was also hired by McDonalds Corporation to choreograph their McWrap commercial, worked with The Shopping Channel, and appeared in the National Post, CTV Breakfast television, The Sport Network and more. Patty continues to consult for professional sports dance teams, adjudicating the NFL's Buffalo Bills cheerleader tryouts and consulting for the OHL, AFL, NFL, and more.

In 2000, Patty, her husband, Matt, and daughters Dierdra and Reagan moved to St. Louis. Being settled in St Louis allowed Patty the opportunity to teach her first love, Irish dance at Graham Academy. With the encouragement and support of Kathleen Graham-Kelly and Jenny Kelehan, Patty received her TCRG in March, 2007, passing with Honors. In March, 2010, Patty passed the ADCRG exam making her the first and only adjudicator in Missouri. She is a registered member of the IDTNA and IDTMA.

Patty offers special thanks to her teacher, Rita O'Shea: "You gave me a place to shine and a whole lot more."