The Dancers of 2024

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 The Only Performers at the PPP Since 1996!

The  Caledonian Scottish Dancers, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was  formed in 1966 under the direction of Meribeth Zielke (Waldrop), with  the purpose of high quality presentation and preservation of Scottish  music and dance. Meribeth’s brother, Reuel Zielke, eventually moved into  the role of group director. The group is currently under the direction  of Heather St. Ledger.

The  Caledonian Scottish Dancers perform Highland and National dances as  well as some lesser known dances. Besides performing the dances in the  traditional fashion, they also incorporate arrangements of the dances as  well as new choreography.

The  group has appeared at numerous festivals, conventions, and cultural  events throughout the Midwest United States. They have also completed  four successful tours of Scotland, including performances during the  Edinburgh Festival, the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, and  the Robert Burns Cottage and Heritage Center near Ayr. Other  international destinations where the group has represented the Wisconsin  folk dance community include Chiba, Japan and Montreal, Canada.

The  group primarily performs under the accompaniment of the Billy Mitchell  Scottish Pipes and Drums. Gary Bottoni, the pipe major, will also  occasionally accompany the group as a soloist. The group has been  privileged to perform with other renowned musicians, including Kim  Robertson, Navan, and Carlos Núñez.

http://caledonianscottishdancers.com

The Milwaukee Irish Dance Studio was founded with the goal of providing an accessible and enjoyable environment for dancers of all ages and abilities to learn Irish dance.

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With professional teachers, a variety of classes, multiple performance and competitive opportunities, we offer a unique and personalized  experience for all our dancers.

Elyse Transon grew up Irish dancing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and started her professional dance career during her senior year at the University of Minnesota. As a company dancer, principal dancer, dance captain, choreographer, tour manager, and workshop teacher she has danced all across the United States as well as in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Zambia, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia and Canada. 

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While home in between tours, Elyse found herself missing a community of dancers so in 2014 she formed the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company (MIDC), an inclusive adult performance company. MIDC eventually led her to team up with Mary Youssi to open the Milwaukee Irish Dance Studio for students of all ages in 2019! 

Milwaukee Irish Dance Website

Glencastle, a small town in County Mayo, Ireland, near Belmullet, holds special significance for our owner and instructor, Bridget Jaskulski, as it is her ancestral home. Bridget's great grandparents were raised in Glencastle and immigrated to the United States in the late 1800's. As a tribute to her family roots, Bridget named our school Glencastle. 

Since February 23, 2000, Glencastle Irish Dancers, Inc. has been offering dance lessons in the Milwaukee area. Our children's classes initially started at the College Park School in Greendale, Wisconsin, while the adult classes began at the Celtic MKE Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From our humble beginnings with 26 students, we have now expanded to over 150 students in our school.  

 Glencastle Irish Dancers, Inc. is a vibrant and inclusive Irish dance school located in Franklin, Wisconsin. Our dedicated studio provides comprehensive Irish dance instruction for both children and adults. We offer a diverse range of opportunities, including competition, solo and team dancing, performances, and a chance to immerse oneself in the traditions of Irish culture. At Glencastle, we prioritize our families and believe in tailoring involvement levels to individual preferences. Whether you seek to learn a few steps or aspire to perform and compete, our experienced staff is committed to fostering a sense of belonging, friendship, school spirit, and confidence in each and every student. Join us as we celebrate the joy of Irish dance while creating lifelong memories. 

Glencastle Website

 The goal of Bellator Academy of Irish Dance is to provide world-class instruction while cultivating a love for Irish dance and culture. Bellator Academy provides a place for dancers to learn, have fun, and create bonds that will last a lifetime. It also provides an opportunity for dancers to grow mentally, emotionally and physically. Bellator means Warrior. It is our name and our focus. 

Chelsea Holloway founded Bellator.  Chelsea is a certified TCRG and has taught Irish dance for over 12 years to dancers of all ages and levels. She has coached and mentored dancers from a beginner to the World Championship's stage.  She emphasizes first and foremost having FUN.  She believes there's a way to teach with providing the perfect balance of fun while learning discipline, respect for yourself and others, responsibility, and developing yourself not only as a dancer but as a person 

bellatoracademyofirishdance.com

 Trinity's roots in Milwaukee go back to 1967, when they started as the Shamrock Club Dancers. In j1980, Mark Howard took over a portion of the school, and joined it to his Chicago school, the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance.

For over 40 years, this  Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison institution has become the most widely recognized Irish dance program in the world.  Shaping the lives of over 10,000 students, Trinity is centered around a powerful philosophy that is a radical departure from typical programs. Founded by Mark Howard in 1982, the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has set numerous competitive records and thrilled audiences worldwide with its innovative approach and attention to detail. Trinity won its first world title in 1987, catapulting the academy to national and international stardom and altering the course of the Irish dance landscape.

Trinity has appeared in feature films and on national television programs including: six Tonight Shows, CONAN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, to name a few.  The school, which has the unrivaled distinction of winning more world titles than all other American Irish dance schools, has locations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin including: Chicago Northwest, Lakeview, Elmhurst, Palatine, Western Springs, Milwaukee, and Madison. 

https://trinityirishdance.com

We have had Irish dancing for our parties since the 1960's.