Andrew Vickers
Creator/Choreographer
Andrew Vickers (30) from Galway, Ireland began dancing competitively at the age of 9 in London . During his competitive career he gained the titles of Great Britain Champion, Connacht Champion placed 3rd at the All Ireland Championships and 4th at the World Championships. At the age of 14 Andrew was offered a position with RIVERDANCE as part of their flying squad. After a number of rehearsals with them he was headhunted by one of Ireland’s leading Irish Music & Dance production companies and began performing internationally as principal dancer for their shows Spirit of Ireland, To Dance on the Moon, Dance of Desire and Magic of The Dance. Along with some of these shows Vickers is credited with choreography for Canadian based productions The Magic of Ireland and The Echoes of Ireland, the latter, a stage show written by Limerick brothers Frank McCourt and Malachy McCourt. He has been invited to perform by various music groups and orchestras including Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, The Dubai Philharmonic Orchestra, The Orchestra of Ireland at such prestigious venues as The Irish National Concert Hall, Alte Opera Frankfurt, Konzerthaus Berlin among others. He has been invited to perform at the Berlin film festival for audiences including Liam Neeson, Leonardo DeCaprio, Mikhail Gorbachev, Christopher Lee and other dignitaries. Since graduating from The University of Limerick with a MA in Traditional Dance Performance Andrew has gone on to work with Dance Theatre of Ireland and their collaboration with Soul Steps (NYC) entitled Every Little Step...The Rhythm of Hope. This show premiered at The Joyce SoHo NYC in 201. Most recently since moving to the USA Andrew has been invited to teach, Choreograph and appear as featured artist for The Trinity Irish Dance Company (Chicago) alongside artistic director Mark Howard. He and his wife Erin Hayes are now working on a number of new projects including their new Irish Dance & Culture organization Club Rince - The Irish Dance Club. For more information about Andrew click here
Erin Hayes
Dance/Co-Producer
Erin Hayes began dancing at the young age of 3 and was enrolled in Irish dancing at the age 5. Under the instruction of Iris and Maura Gray, Erin quickly accelerated to international stages competing at the World Championships in 2002 and 2003. Erin holds a Masters of Science degree in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and City University, London, and a BA in Dance Science (Self-designed) from Mahattanville College, New York.Erin has performed professionally in the touring productions Magic of the Dance, Magic of Ireland, and Echoes of Ireland as well as New York City based dance company DARRAH CARR DANCE; and with world-renowned music groups including TEADA and EILEEN IVERS at events such as The Berlin Film Festival for audience members Liam Neeson and Leonardo DiCaprio among others. Completing tours of the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Taiwan, and Africa. Erin is also the creator of Titanium Dance Wellness. TDW was founded on the mission to educate and empower young dancers to perform at their best - to prevent dance injuries one dancer at a time through educational programs, one-on-one coaching and dancer screenings. Erin is also co-founder and dance instructor at Club Rince - The Irish Dance Club alongside her husband Andrew.
Patrick Doocey
Musical Arrangments/Guitarist
Patrick Doocey hails from County Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland. A predominantly self-taught guitarist he is becoming one of the most in demand accompanists on the Irish music scene. He has toured all over Europe, Asia, Africa and America with various Irish Bands and music acts. Patrick currently resides in NYC and performs regularly with top bands LÚNASA, TEADA and Ragús – The Show.
Craig Glynn
Dance
Galway native Craig Glynn (23) has been dancing since the young age of 4. Having competed until he was 16 years old, Craig has place at 4th in the World Championships of Irish Dance. Craig performs regularly at all types of corporate events and various shows travelling throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and many parts of the U.S. He is now living in New York for the past 18 months and can be seen performing at many events around the city including the weekly Irish dance and Music Jam hosted by Paddy Reilly’s in Manhattan.
Kevin McHugh
Drums/Uillean Pipes
Kevin McHugh was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. At a young age, he began lessons on the drums and accordion and later in life developed a passion for playing the uillean pipes. Throughout his early teenage years, he focused on his music career, drumming with local hard rock acts in and around Dublin and appearing on numerous television shows and audio recordings. He enjoyed the musical success of performing with the band No Sweat who topped the Irish charts with a #1 hit single and frequently performed large crowds. After moving to the U.S., he completed numerous recordings and TV appearances while touring with Riverdance: The Show for three years. With RIVERDANCE: Live From New York City, he appeared at RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, as well as on Conan O' Brien, the Late Show with David Letterman and the GRAMMY AWARDS. He also performed on Broadway in Studio 54 as a cast member of the play A Touch Of The Poet alongside Irish Actor Gabriel Byrne. He currently tours with The McLean Avenue Band throughout the US and abroad, and he is the anchor of a popular Irish traditional music session in NYC.
Cheryl Ann McCullagh
Vocals
Cheryl Ann McCullagh (24) is a professional singer, actress and vocal coach/music teacher from Queens, New York. With parents from County Tyrone, Cheryl credits her strong Irish roots for her amazing talents. Cheryl attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia Performing Arts High School (Fame school) as a vocal major and recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education & Vocal Studies. Cheryl Ann’s impressive resume boasts a long list of accomplishments including regional theater productions of Guys & Dolls(Sarah), Grease (Sandy), Cinderella (Cinderella) and Jesus Christ Superstar ( Mary Magdalene). She was invited to perform as soloist for a half time game performance in MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. TV performances include THE VOICE, Glee Project Season 2, Irish TV and more. As the new lead singer with The New York Show Band Cheryl has preformed on The All Star Irish Cruise with stars such as Daniel O’Donnell. Last year Cheryl took part in International Irish Culture Festival competition The Mary From Dungloe and this year will represent New York again at THE ROSE OF TRALEE! Check out more about Cheryl on her own website www.CherylAnnMcCullagh.com
Séagda Coyle
Button Accordion
Séagda Coyle started playing the button accordion at the age of 7 learning most of his music from the playing of John Nolan. Seagda has gone on to acquire a collection of gold medals from the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh and has competed in the All Ireland Fleadh multiple times. Both a fan of the traditional as well as the contemporary, Seagda is a composer of tunes and can be found regularly at sessions throughout the New York area as well as teaching music at the Martin O’Grady School of Music and Arts in the Bronx. He has toured and performed extensively throughout the US with many groups including the Irish stage production Women of Ireland.
Jonathon Srour
Dance/Flute
Jonathon is a four-time tour member of Michael Flatley’s LORD OF THE DANCE, traveling and performing from Galway to Jerusalem. Ranked #5 in the world in 2005 for Irish dance, Jonathon is also a current performer in the mixed-genre group HAMMERSTEP out of New York City who were recently favorites on America’s Got Talent. He has also graced the stage in other touring dance shows such as MAGIC OF THE DANCE, FEET OF FLAMES, and as a cast member in RIVERDANCE. Jonathon has also qualified two times to compete in the All-Ireland Championships of Irish music, having won the Fleadh Ceol in New Jersey and is a three-time Senior Belt holder of North America, making him America’s premier competitive Irish dancer. He brings power and electricity to the stage with his dance, and adds soaring melodies to the show with his flute.
Caitlin McNeill
Dance
Caitlin McNeill from Brooklyn, NY, received her initial dance training from the Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance where she achieved championship level status. Caitlin has been a guest dancer with the Trinity Irish Dance Company as well as on Mick Moloney’s Greenfields of America Tour. She has also toured with the Prodigals, the McLean Avenue Band, and the Andy Cooney Band. Caitlin has recently appeared on Fox and Friends, the Today Show, the CBS morning show, and at Carnegie Hall. She can be seen performing throughout NYC on a regular basis and is a member of Darrah Carr Dance Company and their annual season at the New York Irish Arts Center along with the Niall O'Leary Irish Dance Troupe. Caitlin represtented NYC as The Big Apple Rose at the International Annual Rose of Tralee Festival in Ireland!
Jake James
Fiddle/Bodhran/Dance
Jake James (18) is a multi-instrumentalist, Irish dancer, and current ALL IRELAND FIDDLE CHAMPION. Born in Queens, New York, this young man has played with many well-known players in Irish music, including the Prodigals, Padraig Allen and the McLean Avenue Band, Black 47, and others in NYC and Ireland. Jake has recorded with the cast of “Hard Times”, singer Shana Mahoney, John Munnelly, and with film music producer and composer Marinho Nobre. He played fiddle on the Celtic track for Nobre’s World Music record. Jake is in the undergraduate program at the Aaron Copland School of Music.
Martin Doykin
Upright/Electric Bass
Bulgarian born New York City based player Martin Doykin has been actively performing on NYC’s music scene and across the United States Since 2010. His versatility as an acoustic and electric bass player crosses many genres and cultures and has made him an in demand sideman and session musician.Martin has performed, toured and recorded with artists such as: , The Women Of Ireland Martin Lubenov, The Avalon Jazz Band, Frankie Morales, Jimmy Bosch, Herman Olivera, Michelle Citrin, Foster McGInty, The Grave Jinglers, Foster McGinty, Ollie Soikkeli, Kruno Spisic, Balchemy, Antony Donchev, Asen Doykin, Romaneno Gypsy Band, Martin Lubenov among others.
Venues and festivals that Martin has performed at include Carnegie Hall, Bern Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Django Fest NorthWest, (Seattle), Mega Fest (Dallas), Rovigo Music Festival (Italy), Salsa Cubana Music Festival (Cyprus), The Bearsville Theater (NY), Rockwood Music Hall (NYC), Colorado Gypsy Jazz Festival, Sullivan Hall (NYC), Flagler Auditorium etc.
