Lynn Academy of Irish Dance

Alumni

Emily Ardunio

Holy Cross, 2013


Major: Chemistry


Profession: Currently running a pulmonary function lab in an Internal Medicine/Pulmonary practice. Obtaining clinical hours for Physician Assistant graduate programs.


I began dancing at the age of 10, as one of the first LYNN Academy students in the Tarrytown location. I danced throughout my high school career, and competed at the Championship level. I had the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, national and international level. My greatest achievement in my dance career was when I qualified for the World Championships at the Oireachtas. I competed at the Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas three times before recalling; and the very first time I recalled, I qualified for the Worlds. Qualifying for and competing at the world championships was the greatest reward for all of the work I had put into my dance career.


To say that Irish Dance has greatly impacted my professional career is an understatement. In dance, I practiced with a certain placement, or recall in mind. Professionally, I work to prove myself capable of more responsibilities. There may not be any more world championships in my horizon, but the work ethic that brought me success in my dance career has elevated my professional work ethic to prove that I am capable of handling, and succeeding at any opportunity presented to me. As I begin to tackle graduate school and my future career, I will carry my irish dancing memories with me, but more importantly, I will utilize the work ethic and determination that provided such pride and success on stage to my future endeavors.


Eilish Bennett

Ursinus College, 2014


Business and Economics (will be a City Year Corp Member in Los Angeles starting in July 2014)


Open Championship. Competed at the Oireachtas, Nationals, All Irelands, Great Britains individually. Competed on the Dance Drama team that placed 5th at Worlds in 2008 and won the NEO.


Irish dance had a great impact on my life. It taught me the discipline and time management that saved me in college. The individual focus that Irish dance required taught me how to be independent and reliant on myself to be successful. Without fail, interviewers have asked me about my experiences and are impressed with the level of maturity that develops from the experiences of training and performing in the capacities that I did as a LYNN dancer. Personally, the relationships that I developed dance are amazing. Not only am I still so close with the girls that I danced with, I am still even friends with girls that I competed against.


Gina Carriero

Penn State University, 2016


Public Relations Major/ Business Minor


My Irish Dancing experience was amazing and is something that I will carry with me my entire life. I started Irish dancing when I was 5 years old and worked my way up to the Championship level by the time I was 13. I competed at 5 New England Oireachtas, 5 North American Nationals and 4 World Championships. My senior year of High school I was the New England Regional Champion. Along with competing, I was also a part of the New York Irish Dance Company which traveled around the country for exciting show performances (including appearing on America’s Got Talent!)



My Irish dance training has impacted my life more then any other experience I have had and has made me who I am today. It taught me dedication, discipline and hard work from the age of six, all of which I still apply to my day to day life. I am currently president of my Sorority and credit much of my success from discipline and determination to my Irish dancing career. Having Irish dance in my life for so many years while growing up has taught me that working hard and never giving up will always get you where you want to be. It has shown my multiple times that persistence and dedication will always pay off. I am so glad to have been taught these life lessons from such a young age from my Irish dancing career and would not trade my dance experience for anything in the world.


Elizabeth Coyman

Penn State, 2014


Bachelor of Science in Nursing


Open Champ dancer who’s competed in Regionals, Nationals, All Irelands, Great Britains and Worlds.



Irish dancing has perfected my ability to focus on a goal or task and complete it. Not only did it serve as a great form of exercise, the discipline that revolves around the sport has undoubtedly allowed me to be successful in other areas of my life. The friendships and experiences that I have formed through dance cannot be replaced or replicated through any other sport. I have had the ability to travel the world at a young age and without those experiences, would not be where I am today.


Katie Shamus

Rowan University, 2013


BA in Elementary Education and a BA in Liberal Studies: Math/Science.


I started Irish dancing when I was 11 years old and continued competing until I was 18. I ended my Irish dancing career competing at the Open-Championship level. I competed in the Mid-Atlantic Region Oireachtas numerous times, the North American National s in 2008 and the All-Irelands in 2009.


Irish dancing has helped mould me into the person I am today. When I was 16, I started helping Maureen teach a beginner class on a weekly basis. Helping with the beginner class made me realize I had a passion for teaching which I decided to pursue at Rowan University. I had a lot of confidence when I began teaching lessons during my clinical practice because I already had experience in front of a room full of students. I also believe my experience being on stage competing taught me poise, posture, and tenacity; qualities that are essential in my professional career.


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