TCRG

Emma was born in Dublin, Ireland and grew up in Atlanta. Emma began Irish dancing at the age of 10 with the Mulligan School of Irish Dance in Marietta, Georgia. She continued dancing in Atlanta under the instruction of June Butler, owner of the world-renowned Butler Academy of Irish Dance (The Butler Academy, based out of Canada, is now known as the Butler-Fearon-O'Connor School of Irish Dance).

During her dancing career, Emma competed all over the world, winning titles throughout. Most notably, Emma is a four-time winner of the Southern Regional Championship, from 1999-2002. In 2002, Emma competed in the North American National Championship, winning 5th place. Previously, Emma had placed 6th in the North American Championship in 2000 and 2001. She placed 13th in 2003. From 2000-2003, Emma competed in the World Championships, Great Britain Championships, and All-Ireland Championships. She recalled at all the competitions and placed many times, including her highest honor of placing 17th at the Worlds.

In 2003, after years of success as an Irish dancer, Emma temporarily hung-up her dance shoes to focus on her education. In 2006, Emma graduated from the University of Georgia with dual degrees in International Affairs and Romance Languages. In 2010, Emma graduated from law school at Mercer University. Today, Emma is a successful attorney practicing in Atlanta in the area of Commercial Litigation and Construction Law. Outside of her career in law, Emma continues to pursue her passion in Irish dance with a commitment to excellence and a goal of cultivating that same drive and passion in the hearts of her students, regardless of age or experience.

TCRG

Erin was born in Toronto Canada and started Irish dancing at the age of 5 with the renowned Butler Academy of Irish Dance. Her parents, from County Roscommon in Ireland, instilled in her the love for Irish dance at a very young age. Erin's first dance teacher was Mae Butler, who was one of the founding members of IDTANA, The North American Irish Dancing Teachers Association. She continued dancing under the direction of Mae's daughter June Butler for the majority of her competitive career and later briefly danced with Rose Fearon when the school became "The Butler Fearon School of Canada" (Now known as Butler-Fearon-O'Connor).

While living in Atlanta, Erin studied dancing under the direction of Karl Drake and Lisa Cregan O'Brien. Erin's competitive titles include four time Southern Region champion, placing several times in the top 10 at the North American Irish Dance Championships, as well as recalling at the All Ireland and World Championships of Irish dance.

Her accomplishments led to performances with the Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies's, the Wolf Tones, and Eileen Iverson. Erin also joined "The Trinity Irish Dance Company" and performed in various cities throughout North America. At the age of 20 Erin was asked to join the touring cast of "Riverdance - The Show". In 2008 Erin graduated from The Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta with Highest Honors.

She currently works at an Architecture firm in Atlanta while also spreading her love and talent of Irish dancing to her students. She has two young sons Declan and Riordan who she hopes will one day join the Burke Connolly dance family. 

Assistant Teacher

Originally from Grand Ledge, MI, Jordan started dancing with the Heinzman School of Irish Dance (now Ardan Academy) when she was 10 years old. She danced with Heinzman for 11 years and reached the Prelim Championship level. In addition to dancing competitively for Heinzman, she also performed with the Irish Dance Company of Lansing. 

Jordan continued dancing in college with the Notre Dame Irish Dance Team. In 2010, Jordan earned her Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame. She currently works in Advertising in Atlanta. Jordan will be helping us with our Beginner and Novice classes!

Assistant Teacher

After living mostly overseas for most of her childhood, Molly returned State side to the Washington DC area at age 11.  That same year she began Irish dancing with the O'Neill James School of Irish Dance in Falls Church, VA.  She quickly advanced to the level of Open Championship, and won the Southern Regional Oireachtas in 1999.  Molly also competed at the North American Irish Dance Championships twice, and was a 3 time World Championship qualifier. After a repeat injury, she retired from competing at 21 but continued to dance through college in Cincinnati with her Irish Band, Julia's Feathers, where they performed at local pubs, various cultural events, and Celtic festivals. Molly graduated from Xavier University in 2002 with a BA in Music Performance (flute) and a BA in International Affairs.  Today Molly lives in Marietta, GA and works at several area high schools with their band programs, while also keeping up a private flute studio at home and playing with the  Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. She enjoys time with her family, including husband Brian, and her five daughters.  Molly spends a lot of her free time working with her youngest daughter who was born with hydrocephalus, and always looks forward to the time she is able to spend at the Burke Connolly studio. She enjoys helping with classes and watching the students and her own daughters enjoy their love of Irish dancing.