LESLIE MIDDLETON, T.C.R.G.
Leslie began Irish dancing when she was 3 years old. She received her certification to teach Irish dancing, TCRG, from The Irish Dance Commission, An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland in 2000 and is a member in good standing of the Irish Dance Teacher’s Association of North America.
Her successful career in Irish dance includes many performances and competitions throughout the North Texas area including the North Texas Irish Festival, the International Festival, the State Fair of Texas, South Fork Ranch, television, weddings, parties, schools, festivals, conventions, and church retreats. She currently is the director of the Inishfree Dallas Senior Dance Company.
Among her other accomplishments in dance, Leslie has experience in jazz and modern dance. She was a member of her high school drill team becoming an officer and Captain her senior year gaining extensive experience in dance choreography.
Along with her weekly Irish dance classes, Leslie also teaches workshops for schools, theater groups and other organizations.
NEILL REAGAN, A.D.C.R.G., T.C.R.G.
Neill is the son of Irish born Irene O’Conner and Irish-American, Jerry Reagan. He began dancing at the age of five when his parents wanted their five children to carry on their Irish heritage. After dancing for only one year, Neill won the title of Eastern Regional Champion and accomplished that same title for the next fifteen consecutive years. At age 7, Neill, his two older brothers and two younger sisters began to tour the states with The Paddy Noonan Show band as the “Reagan Family Dancers”.
Neill has continued to perform world-wide with artists such as, The Chieftains, The Wolftones, the Irish Rovers, Jurys Cabaret, The Commitments and many others. Famous stages include Radio City Music Hall, Trump Plaza and Resorts International.
In 1985, Neill won the prestigious North American Senior Belt and was the youngest dancer ever to accomplish this achievement. Overseas, he won the triple crown Sligo County Championship against the best Europe had to offer, and the All Ireland Championship in Limerick, Ireland. In 1986, Neill became one of only five Americans to earn the title of “World Champion” along with the renowned Michael Flatley.
PATRICK MCCARTHY-BEACH, A.D.C.R.G., T.C.R.G.
Patrick is from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He started dancing at the age of 8 with the Armstrong School of Dancing and over his 15 year dancing career has won the regional championships multiple times, placed in the top three in every major Irish dancing championship including 3rd at the World Championship Senior Men’s.
In 1998 Patrick joined the world famous Lord of the Dance tour. The following year Patrick was chosen to tour with the record breaking production Feet of Flames alongside Michael Flatley. The show danced to sell out crowds around the world in arenas such as Madison Square Garden, Stormont Castle in Belfast and in Budapest’s Olympic Arena. Next Patrick was handpicked to dance the role of “Dark Lord” in Lord of the Dance World Tour (Australia). Impressing the choreographer, Patrick was elevated to the main lead of “Lord of the Dance” that same year.
After five years of dancing, touring six continents, and dancing to royalty, presidents, and uncountable crowds Patrick has turned his attention to sharing his experience and love of Irish dancing to Inishfree students in San Antonio and Texas.
PIERCE BEACH, T.C.R.G.
Throughout his 12-year dancing career, Pierce shared the stage with legendary Irish groups such as The Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies, and Eileen Ivers. Since 2011, Inishfree has been lucky to have Pierce as one of our teachers. Since his arrival, he has worked mainly with our newest dancers, and over the last three years has developed quite a knack for getting our youngest to work hard and have fun at the same time. Inishfree has some of the most talented young dancers in the region, including the most recent Girls Under 8 Oireachtas Champion. In September 2013, Pierce sat for his TCRG exam, passing it in his first attempt.
KATHLEEN McCARTHY, T.C.R.G.
Kathleen has been dancing since three years of age, along with her brother Patrick, in Belfast, Ireland. She teaches at Inishfree, Ireland and brings a unique perspective to our class. Kathleen, as well as winning numerous championships worldwide, has danced the female lead role in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. On top of this, she danced alongside Michael in the Celtic Tigerproduction. Kathleen is featured in the most recent most recent production of Lord of the Dance 3D. Kathleen visits Texas numerous times throughout the year and has built a special bond with all our Texan dancers.
As a commitment to child safety the Inishfree teachers complete and have passed a background check through the Irish Dancing governing body, An Comisiun Le Rince Gaelacha.