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Iris Gray Sharnick started dancing at the age of three in Ireland. Iris danced at the New York World 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 and Canada, at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Ireland, the All Scotland Championships, the All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships and most recently the British Nationals and Great Britain Championships in 2010. She has served the New England Region as the Treasurer, Secretary and then as Regional Director from 1991-1998 and again in 2005-2008. Iris is also one of the New England's Oireachtas Chairs for 2011 as well as the New England Regional Recording Secretary. She serves on the Music and Dance committee of An Coimisiún and is a Certified Grade Examiner with 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 running the East Lyme Studio. Together with Iris, and their faculty 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. Maura chaired the New England Oireachtas in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and was the 2008 Entry Chair for the North American Championships in Nashville. Maura is currently the New England Oireachtas Entry Chair and is a Certified Grade Examiner with An Coimisiún.
 
  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 Coimisiún in 2000.
 
  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.
 
Christina Dolzall's love of dance began at a young age when she began studying tap, jazz and ballet. It was not until the age of 14, however, that she realized her true passion was in Irish dancing when she began classes with the Gray School. Under the instruction of the Gray School, Christina went on to become a 3-time New England Regional Champion, an All Ireland overall medalist and Top 5 solo round medalist, and a top tier placer at the North American Championships. One of her greatest accomplishments was to represent New England at the World Championships 5 times. Christina has toured professionally throughout North America and Europe for over 2 years. In 2009, she began her show career at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA performing daily in the show Emerald Beat. She then joined the cast of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance where she played the coveted role of the Little Spirit in addition to being a member of the Irish troupe. She has also performed as a troupe dancer in Riverdance, where she had the honor of performing at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and the Pantages in Los Angeles. Christina graduated from Sacred Heart University with a degree in Psychology and is a certified elementary school teacher. In addition, she passed the T.C.R.G. exam to become a certified Irish dancing teacher with An Coimisiún in 2010. Christina is thrilled to be joining the faculty of the Gray School where her own Irish dancing career began.
 
 

Laurie Spencer is a lifetime resident of Danbury and resides there with her husband and two children. Laurie began dancing with the Gray School at the age of five. Laurie is a graduate of Bay State College in Boston. After returning to dance in 1997 for an Alumni dance in that years recital, Laurie began to teach and found her passion of passing on her love of Irish Dance to the next generation. 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. Katie is currently teaching Special Education in the Bridgeport school system.

 
 

ADCRG - Registered adjudicator and teacher qualified by An Coimisiún Le Rinci Gaelacha
TCRG - Registered teacher qualified by An Coimisiún Le Rinci Gaelacha

mailing address: GRAY SCHOOL of IRISH DANCE P.O. Box 355, Lyme, CT 06371. Telephone: (203) 270-7001
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