Gray School Faculty
Directors:
Iris Gray Sharnick, ADCRG
Maura Gray, ADCRG
Philip Owens, ADCRG
Terry Gillan, ADCRG
Teaching Staff:
Anne Gartland, TCRG
Julie Logan, TCRG
Colleen Mannion, TCRG
MaryBeth Morrow, TCRG
Laurie Spencer,
Senior Teaching Assistant
Katie Veccharelli,
Senior Teaching Assistant
Iris Gray Sharnick started dancing at the age of three in Ireland. Iris danced at the New York World's Fair. She was a member of the Emerald Dancers who were the only group of dancers invited to perform at the United States Pavilion. Iris has appeared on CBS Television, Irish Television, local television, Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall and toured Ireland with a dancing troupe. She has won numerous solo dancing medals including the trophy for the highest points in solo dancing at the United Irish Counties Feis and the U.I.C. Senior Championship. Iris received her T.C.R.G. certification as an Irish Dance Teacher from the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin, Ireland and received her A.D.C.R.G. certification to adjudicate Irish dancing. Iris has judged throughout the United States, Canada, at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Ireland and most recently the All Scotland Irish Dancing Championships. Iris is presently serving her second two year term as the New England Regional Director and serves on the Music and Dance committee of An Coimisiún.
Maura Gray is one of the New England region’s top dancers. Having held one of the top places in the New England region for five consecutive years, Maura retired from the world of competitive dancing holding many titles including the Greater Boston Senior Championship and the New England Region Senior Championship. She has represented the New England Region at the All World Championships and many North American Championships. Maura received both her T.C.R.G. certification as an Irish dance teacher and her A.D.C.R.G. certification to adjudicate Irish dancing from the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin, Ireland. Maura’s main focus is working with high level competitive students. Together with Iris they have helped their students achieve great successes on both a national and international level. Maura is an active member of both the North American and the New England Irish Dance Teachers Associations. She is the New England entry chair for the Oireachtas and the 2008 entry chair for the North American Championships in Nashville.
Philip Owens was a champion Irish dancer who started dancing at the age of five in Dublin, Ireland with the world renowned Peter Bolton School. He was a member of the traditional Irish group that performed at The Braemor Rooms in Dublin for several years. He also toured with the group throughout Ireland and England before enjoying a year performing as the resident traditional group in The Inverurie Hotel in Bermuda. He successfully received his teaching diploma in 1980 and continued on to receive his A.D.C.R.G. certification to adjudicate Irish dancing; he is also a grade examiner of An Coimisiún in Dublin. Philip is a fluent Gaelic speaker who also taught at many Irish language schools throughout the Dublin area. Before moving to the USA he taught with the renowned Naomh Padraig School in Dublin who produced many pupils who won many titles including All-Ireland, North American and World Championships. Philip is a member of An Coimisiún and is a representative on both the Irish Language and Rules Committees as well as being actively involved as Co-Chairperson of the North American Championships in Nashville in 2008.
He has just completed his fourth year as a full time teacher with the Gray School having taught for six years part time. Philip looks forward to many more happy and successful years with the Gray School.
Terry Gillan started dancing at the age of six in Glasgow, Scotland under the instruction of top teacher Myrna Kennedy and was very successful as a dancer. He received his teaching diploma in Dublin in 1979 and also successfully received his adjudicator’s diploma. Recently he was appointed as a grade examiner by An Coimisiún and has just been appointed as Vice President of An Coimisiún for North America.
He has adjudicated at many competitions including the All-Ireland, World, North American and Australian National Championships. He started his teaching career very successfully in his native Scotland before moving to Dublin where many worldwide successes were achieved with the Naomh Padraig School.
Terry has taught with Gray School for the last four years, joining the faculty on a full time basis in 2007.
He will act as the liaison officer for the forthcoming 2009 World Championships in Philadelphia.
Anne Jacocks Gartland started dancing with The Gray School when she was four years old. Under the direction of Iris, Maura, and Mrs. Gray, she went on to win the New England Oireachtas and the Greater Boston Oireachtas. Anne also placed in the North American National Championships, and competed in the World Championships in Ireland. She received her T.C.R.G. from An Comisiun in 2000.
Laurie Spencer is a lifetime resident of Danbury. Laurie began dancing with the Gray School at the age of five. Laurie is a graduate of Bay State College in Boston where she received a degree in travel and tourism. Laurie is a very accomplished dancer and traveled with her family to many feisanna, Oireachtas' and Nationals. Miss Laurie's gentle personality is truly an asset to the Gray School.
Katie Veccharelli began dancing with The Gray School at the age of four. Under the direction of Iris and Maura she went on to win the New England Regional Oireachtas, as well as, compete in the North American and World Championships. Katie was a 2001 recipient of the Adelaide Gray Memorial Scholarship. She graduated with a degree in English and a concentration in Elementary and Special Education from Mount Saint Mary College in New York. Katie assists at dance classes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Katie is currently teaching Special Education in the Bridgeport school system.
Colleen Mannion has been part of the Gray School family for many years, first as a student with a very successful competitive career and now as an instructor. Colleen is a graduate of Western CT State University and has an MBA from the University of Connecticut. Colleen is the manager for internal controls for the New York division of Coca-Cola Enterprises. Colleen assists with classes and is very involved with many committees in the New England Region. Colleen is a wonderful role model to the students.
ADCRG - Registered adjudicator and teacher qualified by An Coimisiún Le Rinci Gaelacha
TCRG - Registered teacher qualified by An Coimisiún Le Rinci Gaelacha