Padraic Moyles

Principal Dancer

Padraic joined Riverdance in 1997 and in 2006 was nominated for an Ovation Award for Leading Actor in a Broadway touring Production. In 2006, he joined the Broadway cast of The Pirate Queen before returning to Riverdance in 2008.

He choreographed and performed in the Old Bog Road by Eileen Ivers and has performed with artists including Maria Carey, Shania Twain, Cher, Nelly, Ja Rule, Cherish the Ladies, The Chieftains, and Ryan O’ Neill. Padraic was part of the cultural delegation which accompanied the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese on her State Visit to Norway.

Aislinn Ryan

Principal Dancer

Following in her older sister’s footsteps, New Zealand-born Aislinn Ryan started Irish dancing at the age of four. Dancing with the Kildunne School in Wellington, she also played the Irish folk harp and enjoyed a wide variety of sports. A keen gymnast, Aislinn was competing at an international level before giving it away to focus on her dancing. She then went on to win regional, New Zealand, and Australian Irish dancing championships several times.

After graduating from high school, Aislinn moved to Dublin and, under the tutorship of Rinceori Naomh Padraig, went on to achieve top three placings in the All-Ireland, All-Scotland, North American, and World Championships. Aislinn has been with Riverdance since April, 2004, and made her debut performance as lead at the Gaeity Theatre in Dublin in Summer 2005.

Gili Ben Ari

Karl Callaghan

Irish Dance Troupe

Karl was born in Chicago IL, but grew up mostly between Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA. He began dancing at the age of 9, and quickly achieved success and recognition in local competitions and dance shows. He continued to excel, which culminated in a victory at the All Ireland Championships in 2006. Later that year, Karl began touring with Riverdance in Mexico at the age of 19. Since then, he has performed in hundreds of shows in 9 countries and 4 continents. When Karl is not touring, he works hard at successfully operating his own company, which specializes in global custom sourcing for print and promotional products (www.verdensource.com).

Brendan Dorris

Deirdre Dowling

Irish Dance Troupe

Deirdre began dancing at the age of 5. She auditioned for Riverdance in Dublin and performed in Vienna on her first gig with the show at the age of sixteen. After finishing school in 2005 she performed with Riverdance in the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin for the summer. She then went on tour with the show at the age of 18 and toured all over Europe. Some of her personal highlights include performing on front of 1.3 billion people for the Chinese New Year, dancing on front of the Pyramids in Giza Egypt and performing on a stage build outdoors on the sea front in Lebanon Beirut. Deirdre is delighted to be featured in the new Riverdance DVD, Live from Beijing.

In 2009, Deirdre graduated from the University of East London with a BA Hons Degree in Graphic Design and she is the director of Time In Focus Photography, an event photography company specialising in Irish Dance.

Aisling Drennan

Irish Dance Troupe

Aisling began Irish dancing at age four with the Jackie Scanlon Academy in Ennis, Co. Clare. When Riverdance exploded onto the scene, she thought it was the most fantastic show she had seen and was determined to be part of it. She successfully auditioned and has since performed with Riverdance around the world covering 43 countries over a period of seven years.

She has performed for royalty, Heads of State, film and football stars but the highlights have been dancing for President Mary McAleese at the Great Hall of the People in China, for President Putin in the Kremlin, the Crowned Prince of Dubai and Comic Relief 2009.
She is very proud to be part of Riverdance and is currently studying for her B.A in Fine Art at G.M.I.T. in Co. Galway.

Anthony Fallon

Irish Dance Troupe

At the age of three, Anthony followed in his sisters footsteps and started dancing. He spent most of his competitive career under the tuition of Terry Gillian, Philip Owens and Elaine Kavanagh. Anthony went on to win four solo world dance championship titles consecutively along with North American, British National, All-Ireland and Leinster Regional titles.

During Anthony’s competitive career he auditioned for Riverdance in 1999 and being too young to tour full-time with the show was offered a position in the flying squad. Seeing many countries Anthony got a taste for the touring life and went onto perform full-time with Busch Gardens completing four seasons with the theme park. Anthony started touring full time with the Riverdance in 2004.

Maeve Fearon

Irish Dance Troupe

Maeve has been dancing for the Rooney O’Malley School, Newry since she was three. In 2009, she qualified with a degree in Communications, Advertising & Marketing and in the same year, won her second Ulster dancing title. She has also won many major championships and narrowly missed out on an All-Ireland title in 2007.

Having decided to stop dancing competitively, she fulfilled a life long ambition, touring China and South Korea with Riverdance in November 2009. Since then, she has travelled extensively with Riverdance Flying Squad and is looking forward to embarking on the North American tour in 2011.

Deirdre Hamilton

Irish Dance Troupe

Born in Canada to Irish parents, Deirdre began dancing at the age of four. She danced her first steps at the Gregoire School of Irish Dancing in Toronto, where she danced for 15 years before moving to Dublin, the home of her parents. There, she continued to refine her skills while dancing with the Cadwell-Cawte School. Deirdre enjoyed a successful competitive career, placing in the top 5 in many major international competitions including the World Championships before moving on to touring life.

She has toured the world with other dance shows, but she has dreamed of being a part of Riverdance since she first saw the show at the age of 11. Her dream came true in 2007 when she first joined the Corrib Company. Deirdre appreciates and cherishes every moment of her dancing career, and all of her loved ones who have offered their endless and unconditional encouragement and inspiration.

Christina Havlin

Irish Dance Troupe

Christina commenced her competitive Irish dancing career at the tender age of four, under the respected and highly successful Lawrenson Toal Academy, Belfast. With the help of her teachers, Christina gained An Comhdháil’s highest titles. Among her many accomplishments she won the Ulster Championship and went on to become the four time All Ireland and International Champion, the most prestigious title within An Comhdháil.

From a very young age, Christina has dreamed of touring with Riverdance and in 2005 she began her career with the company. She has toured in Asia, China, Europe and North America.

Follow Christina on Twitter: @christinahavlin

Kevin Horton

Irish Dance Troupe

From just outside Chicago, Kevin, began Irish Dancing at the age of 6. Through his many years of competition, he has won many championships across the US, including the Midwest Regional Championships, National Championships, and has medalled multiple times at the World Championships.

Having joined the show in 2004, he has travelled the globe with Riverdance and is very excited to be a part of the Riverdance: Live From Beijing DVD. Touring with Riverdance has given Kevin the chance to bring Irish culture to places such as China, Japan, Korea, Ireland, the US, and Canada. Kevin is very proud to be a part of the Riverdance family.

James Keating

Irish Dance Troupe

James started Irish dancing at the tender age of 7, under the tuition of Michael Kenny of The Kenny Academy, Birmingham, before moving on to compete for The Doherty Academy, Coventry and finally The Carey Academy, Birmingham.

His achievements as an Irish dancer include placing regularly inside the top 10 at the World Championships, as well winning many gold medals in team competitions.

It has always been a dream from James to join Riverdance, ever since he saw the show as a young boy. He feels privileged and overjoyed to be a part of this world famous production.

Niamh O’Connor

Irish Dance Troupe

Dublin-born Niamh began dancing at four years of age with Inis Ealga Irish dance school and then with Marie Duffy. Niamh has won numerous Leinster, All-Ireland and World championship medals throughout her competitive dancing career.
Having started performing with Jurys Cabaret in Dublin when she was ten, Niamh joined Riverdance in 1995 for the world premiere in Dublin. She has toured extensively with the show over the last fifteen years and her highlights include dancing in the Great Hall of the People in China and the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics.
She is the only original troupe member left in the show and she holds the record for the most shows performed in Riverdance.

Katrina Trainor-O’Leary

Irish Dance Troupe

Katrina started dancing at the tender age of 3 under the instruction of her two Aunt’s Bernadette and Debbie Trainor. Katrina has won numerous championships over the years which include the Great Britain Championships and Southern England Oireachtas.

Katrina joined “Riverdance” in 2004 and has been extremely lucky to tour all over Europe, USA, Canada, China, Japan, Egypt, Qatar, to name but a few. Her highlight was dancing at the Hammersmith Apollo in front of all of her family, friends and dance pupils.

Katrina qualified as an Irish dancing teacher in 2007 and now helps run the very successful Trainor School with her two aunts in London.

Michael Maguire

Irish Dance Troupe

Michael Maguire started Irish dancing at the age three and was taught by his parents, Michael and Kathleen Maguire. As an amateur he was champion of London for five consecutive years, and received multiple awards in the World Championships in solo and group competitions. He began his professional career in 1999 with the international show Gaelforce Dance. Over the years he has performed in many shows including Gaelforce Dance, Ragus, Magic of the Dance, Dancing Feet, Celtic Masters, Celtic Feet and Hammerstep.

He joined Riverdance in late 1999 and toured the world for over eight years, performing in prestigious venues including The Kremlin, Moscow and The Great Hall of the People, Bejing. He progressed musically as an on stage drummer and singer, and was also trained as understudy for the main lead.

Mairead Masuda

Irish Dance Troupe

Mairead Haruka Masuda started dancing at age five. She has won numerous Regional, National, and World titles and has also studied and performed with the Boston Ballet.  Before joining Riverdance, she took part in many performances including a show performed with the world renowned Chieftans at Symphony Hall in Boston.

Upon joining Riverdance in 2005, she toured Asia, Europe, and North America. Mairead is also trained in the classical harp.

Fiona McCabe

Irish Dance Troupe

Fiona began dancing with the O’Shea School of Irish Dance, Dublin at the age of 4. She holds many solo championship titles including 2 All-Ireland, 5 Leinster, 4 British and runner-up in the All-Scotland and American Nationals. She is also a World Céili Dancing Champion.

In 2004 she joined the Riverdance Flying Squad and soon after the Boyne Company in North America and Canada. To date she has performed in Belgium, China, Germany, Ireland, Lebanon, South Korea and the UK.

She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy after graduating in 2006 from Trinity College, Dublin. She is a qualified Irish Dancing teacher with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha and is an accomplished Classical Pianist.

Ryan McCarthy

Irish Dance Troupe

Ryan (T.C.R.G.) started dancing at the Schade Academy of Irish dance in New York under the direction of Mary Lou Schade in April of 1997. His most prestigious placements in major competitions include: 1^st place at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals (2004-2008), 1^st place at the North American Championships (2004 and 2005), 1^st place at the All-Ireland (2005), and 1^st place at the 2006 World Championships in Belfast. In 2007, he was named as being one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine.

He toured with Riverdance from 2007 to the present, traveling throughout North America, Ireland, China, South Korea, and Lebanon.

Niamh McDarby

Irish Dance Troupe

Niamh started dancing at the age of 4 with Scoil Rince Seamrog. After many successful years, she transferred to the O’Shea School of Irish Dance. During her competitive career she went on to win the Leinster Championships, North American Championships and placed highly at the World Championships.

Since graduating from Dublin City University in 2004, with a honours degree in Business Studies, Niamh has been performing full-time. She joined Riverdance in 2005 and has thoroughly enjoyed travelling the world with the show.

Carla O’Brien

Irish Dance Troupe

Carla, a native of Caledon, Co. Tyrone, is most recently back from touring Japan, China, Korea, the United States and Europe with Riverdance where she performed as the Principal Female dancer for over two of the three years she spent touring. It really was a dream come true for her.

Carla has been dancing since she was 5 years old and has won every major championship during her competitive years. In the 2004-2005 dancing year, Carla won the North-American, Ulster, Great Britain, All-Ireland and World Senior Ladies Championships.

Carla is very excited to join her esteemed colleagues as they perform for the Queen of Great Britain.

Damian O’Neill

Irish Dance Troupe

Damian started dancing at the age of seven under the late Seamus Kerrigan. He has won numerous Ulster and All Ireland Championships. He danced with The Chieftains and Lord Of The Dance before joining Riverdance in 2003.

Some of his highlights include New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Route of Kings, Hyde Park, London, the Kremlin in Moscow, the Acropolis in Greece and the Great Wall Of China.During his ten years of traveling he has performed in more than 400 cities in 50 countries over 6 continents.

Damian is a qualified Irish dancing teacher and now runs his own dance academy in Derry and Tyrone.

Deirdre O’Reilly

Irish Dance Troupe

Anne Toner

Irish Dance Troupe

Anne began dancing at the age of 3 for the Breslin McLaughlin School in Belfast and she then later moved to the Lawrenson Toal Academy. She competed successfully in all the major competitions in An Comdhail.

At the age of 19 Anne joined “Rhythm of the Dance” for 2 years and toured all over Europe, America and Australia.

After turning 22 Anne went on to fulfill her greatest ambition and joined Riverdance completing tours of Ireland, America, Canada, China and South Korea.

Lauren Smyth

Irish Dance Troupe

Lauren was born in Newtownards, Northern Ireland in 1987. Coming from a musical background she began Irish Dancing at the age of 4 with the St. Patrick’s School of Irish Dance. She soon progressed to compete in competition where she won many regional championships including the Ulster and Northern Ireland titles numerous times. At aged 16 Lauren transferred to the Reilly School of Irish Dance where her success in competition continued.

It has always been Lauren’s dream to perform in an Irish Dance show and so she joined Rhythm of the Dance in 2007 where she performed the lead role for 3 years. In 2010 she then progressed to pursue her life long ambition in joining Riverdance. She has loved dancing with the show and looks forward to the up and coming tours and many more successful years with the show.

Jason Oremus

Lead Dancer

Jason started Irish Dancing at the age of ten for Geraldine French at Scoil Rince Aisling in Sydney, Australia. Originally made to attend Irish Dance class as punishment, for ridiculing his sister’s dancing ability, Jason was placed last in his first competition.

He decided never to let that happen again and went on to win five consecutive State and Australian solo titles, as well as touring nationally with the show Celtic Reign.

He was offered a position with Riverdance in 2003 and has since toured Europe, Russia, the UK, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico and the US.

Sean Regan

Yolanda Gonzalez Sobrado

Kelly Isaac

Lead Tapper

Kelly started tap dancing when he was 5 and has enjoyed being a part of Riverdance for several years touring Europe, Asia, and North America. Other credits include A Stormy Weather Review and National Tap Dance Day with Gregory Hines. He has also worked with the cast of Swing including performances at NYC’s Waldorf Astoria and Carnegie Hall’s Tribute to Dudley Moore.

Kelly’s inclusion in the Broadway cast of Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk gave him the opportunity to work with Savion Glover and Ted Levy. Kelly has also worked with many tap legends including Henry LeTang and the late Harold Nicholas.

When he’s not on tour with Riverdance, Kelly teaches tap in the Washington DC area.

So Danca supplies shoes for the Riverdance Tappers

Junior Laniyan

Tapper

Junior Laniyan is an accomplished actor/dancer having appeared on stage in London and New York as well as Riverdance in the UK & Germany. On screen he played The Photographer in Kill, Kill, Faster, Faster & Private Bell in 28 Days Later. He has also worked extensively in numerous television productions including A Respectable Trade, Doctors, Rough Diamonds, If You See God Tell Him, Prime Suspect 2 and Holby City for the BBC. Stealing Lives for Channel Four, Family Affairs for Channel Five as well as Twenty-Four Seven, Wavelength and Coronation Street for Granada Television.

Junior is currently the Host of his own London Tap Jam Sessions, which are based in London’s Digress Bar in Beak Street.

So Danca supplies shoes for the Riverdance Tappers

Brioni Gallagher

Soloist

Originally from County Cavan, Brioni has undertaken a broad musical education, including a BAMus Honours Degree from University College Cork in 2007 and Honours in Graduate Diploma in Music Education from University of Limerick in 2008, as well as having achieved certificates in both voice, drama and Irish harp with the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Leinster School of Music. During her time in UCC, Brioni was a vocal student of Robert Beare. She has performed as a soloist and chorister with groups such as the UCC Baroque Ensemble, Cantus Choralis, College of Clerks in Youghal, Madrigal 75 and the cult chamber choir Anuna. She also studied Sean Nos singing with Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh of the Irish Traditional group Danu.

Ralph Cato

Baritone

Baritone Ralph Cato has performed masterworks of opera and oratorio around the world to critical acclaim. Some of his roles performed include: Amonasro in Aida, Scarpia in Tosca, Germont in La Traviata, Tonio in I Pagliacci, Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, and many others. His oratorio masterwork performances include Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, and the Requiem Masses of Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Bruckner, and Fauré. When he isn’t performing, Ralph serves as Professor of Voice at the University of California, Riverside and teaches High- and Middle-School for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Guy Rickarby

Drums/Percussion/Bodhrán/Musical Director

Guy has played and recorded with Van Morrison, Roger Daltrey, Eleanor McEvoy, The Devlins and Juliet Turner. In 2004 he was in the house band for the BBC Music Live final concert featuring Katie Melua, Zucchero and Neil Hannon.

He has also performed with Sharon Shannon, The Chieftains, The Irish Tenors, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Colm Wilkinson, Brian Kennedy, and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Most recently, Guy has worked with Duke Special, Gavin Friday and The Ulster Orchestra.

Matt Bashford

Uilleann Pipes / Low Whistle / Tin Whistle

Matt is a native of Limerick City. He began playing and touring with various musical groups and stage shows at a young age. These productions include Micheal Ó Suilleabháin’s Traditional Irish Music Orchestra, Ragús, and The Belfast Irish Harp Orchestra among others. Matt has recorded on RTÉ television programmes, BBC radio documentaries and with other artists including the Irish Tenors and Denis Carey. He has also performed on various orchestral works including Bill Whelan’s Seville Suite at the National Concert Hall in Dublin and Shaun Davey’s Grainneuaile Suite.

He has a graduate degree in Irish Music and Dance Performance at the Irish World Academy of Music at the University of Limerick.

Dave McGauran

Saxophone

Dave is a graduate of NUI Maynooth, where he received a BMus and a MA in Music (Composition). A multi-instrumentalist he plays Clarinet, Saxophone and Piano.

Dave was musical director and co-orchestrator for the world premiere production of Goodnight Mr. Tom: The Musical in November 2008 at the Civic Theatre, Dublin. He has worked as musical director for many prestigious Irish musical societies, and has conducted in venues such as the National Concert Hall and The Helix, Dublin. He recorded an album with the award-winning group, Keable Young Generation.

Dave has played in the orchestra pits of some of Ireland’s best known theatres, including the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin and the Theatre Royal, Waterford. He was in the orchestra for the musical Macbecks in the Olympia Theatre, Dublin and has played all over Asia, Europe and America as the saxophonist with Riverdance, as well as appearing in the DVD Riverdance Live in Beijing.

Aoife Ni Bhriain

Fiddle

Aoife began learning the violin at the age of two with Hungarian born teacher, Maria Kelemen. At the tender age of nine, Aoife played her first solo with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland in the popular ‘Music in the Classroom’ series. By the age of fifteen she had won all under 18 repertoire and concerto competitions in the Royal Irish Academy of Music while also being a prizewinner in the Siemens Feis Cheoil. In 2006, Aoife studied with the renowned violinist Constantin Serban in the “Conservatoire de la Région” in France. Here, Aoife completed her Diplôme d’études musicales, receiving the Prix D’Or.  In November 2008 Aoife toured Asia with the chamber orchestra of the RIAM. On the same tour she performed Bill Whelan’s suite for two violins, Inishlacken. She went on to perform in Carnegie Hall the RIAM Symphony Orchestra. Traditional music continues to play an important part of Aoife’s musical life, winning five All-Ireland titles on the fiddle.