Caterina Coyne

Lead Dancer

Born in London, Caterina started dancing at the age of 4. After moving to Galway, Ireland, she went on to win several Connaght Championship titles and consistently ranking in the top 10 at the World and All Ireland Championships with the Costello O’Brien School of Dancing.

Highlights of Caterina’s career include dancing for 90,000 people in Croke Park, Dublin for both the All Ireland Hurling and Football Championships Finals, the opening ceremony of the Ryder Cup and the G8 Summit in the Gleneagles, Scotland.

Caterina has traveled with Riverdance in Europe and America and is delighted to be now dancing as the lead in the show.

Alana Mallon

Lead Dancer

Alana started dancing at age 3, and within a few months had already won her first of championship. She progressed to win various competitions throughout the UK and Ireland, consistently ranking in the top 3 at the All-Scotland and British Nationals and the top 10 at the World Championships..

Alana was working for an insurance company when she was offered a role in Riverdance – On Broadway. Tours of Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Far East, and North America followed, with exceptional performances in The Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, The Kremlin, Moscow and on the Great Wall of China.

Alana is the only Scottish dancer ever to perform lead in Riverdance.

Chloey Turner

Lead Dancer

English born, Chloey started Irish dancing at the age of 8. Her competitive career with Jenny Flower (Matthews Academy) has seen her compete at national and international feiseanna and qualifying for the world championship every year since.
Chloey is also a keen athlete and a qualified Personal Fitness Trainer and believes the fitness and nutritional techniques she has learnt and developed have been invaluable during her dance career.
Chloey joined The Corrib Company in 2008, touring Europe, Japan and China. She has toured extensively with Riverdance and one of highlights was performing at Radio City, NY.

Within two years she was selected for the Principal Role, with her first performance at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.

James Greenan

Lead Dancer

James lives in Cootehill Co. Cavan. He started dancing at the age of 10 for Scoil Rince Mona Ni Rodaigh and has won several prestigious titles in both Solo and Ceili competitions. Such as the World Championships, All Irelands, Great Britain’s, North Americans, And Ulster titles.

He has toured with Gaelforce and Dancemasters where he was chosen as a Principal dancer. He has also toured with Noctu in New York for former Riverdance lead Breandan De Gallai.

James has completed first year studying Architecture but has postponed his studies to pursue in his dancing career.

Jason O’Neill

Lead Dancer

Jason was born in Belfast and has been dancing for twenty years. He danced competitively and achieved first in the Ulster championships five times. He also won the Great Britain and All Scotland titles among others and placed second in the world in solo and team dancing.

He joined Riverdance in 2009 taking two gap years from university. He has graduated with a degree in graphic design and in 2011 went to India for a month to dance and raise money for the Little Sisters of the Poor, Chennai.

He was delighted to dance a lead with Riverdance for the first time in Ireland in 2011.

Callum Spencer

Lead Dancer

From Warwickshire, England Callum started dancing at the age of ten with the Matthews Academy remaining there throughout a competitive career in which he won many Championships. He consistently placed in the top ten at World Championships and top five at the All Ireland Championships and other Majors. Callum still attends class whenever he is home to assist in any way he can.

Callum has appeared in the RTE TV series Dance Off and was chosen as lead by former Riverdance star and current Dance Director Breandan de Gallai for Noctu which was presented in Ireland and off-Broadway during the autumn of 2011. He has also toured the USA, Canada, Europe and Russia with Lord of the Dance and is an athletic sportsman playing rugby and tennis whenever he can.

Having auditioned and trained with Riverdance in the summer of 2011, Callum is delighted and honoured to have been selected for lead so early on in his career with the show.

Maeve Croke

Irish Dance Troupe/Dance Captain

Maeve was born in Waterford Ireland and started dancing for the Troy School of Irish Dance at a very young age. During her years of competing she won numerous championships and Munster and All Ireland Medals.

Maeve joined Lord of the Dance and toured America for 2 years before joining Riverdance. Maeve has had the honor of dancing at the Kremlin In Russia, The Great Wall of China, at the Acropolis in Greece, Radio City Music Hall NY and many more prestigious events all over the World.

Maeve passed her TCRG exam in 2007 and hopes to go on and teach Irish Dance when she finishes touring with Riverdance.

Jessica Baffa

Irish Dance Troupe

Jessica began dancing at age 12 with Steven Masterson in Cambridgeshire, England. She then moved back to the US, dancing for Kevin Broesler in New Jersey. Jessie was the 2008 All Ireland Champion, and placed 2nd at the 2008 World Championships. She won the Southern Region Oireachtas for 6 consecutive years, also placing top 5 for four years in a row at the American Nationals.

Jessie joined Riverdance right out of high school in 2005. She also toured with Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames in 2008.

Jessica is aspiring to become an Irish dance teacher after she receives her TCRG’s.

Patrick Barnett

Irish Dance Troupe

Patrick was born in Orange County, California and began dancing at the age of 9. During his years of competing, he won numerous regional and national championships including the North American Nationals twice and placing 3rd in the World Championships.

Patrick finished his competitive career and began touring with Riverdance in 2005. He has toured America, Canada, and Mexico and one of his career highlights was performing at Radio City Music Hall for Riverdance’s 15th anniversary.

Owen Barrington

Irish Dance Troupe

Owen began dancing at the relatively late age of 12 in his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska. He retired from the competitive world of Irish dancing in 2008 after a short, but successful career; the highlight having won the 2008 World Championships under the instruction of Tony Comerford.

Owen joined Riverdance in 2005 but then left the show in order to pursue a higher education. He is thrilled to finally return to Riverdance, only this time an honored graduate with a degree in business administration from the University of Washington. Owen now resides in Southern California.

Stephen Brennan

Irish Dance Troupe

Stephen began dancing at the age of 12 with the McGahan-Lees Irish Dance Academy based in Essex, England. He enjoyed repeated success at major competitions, advancing quickly to win first place at numerous North American, Great Britain and All-Ireland Championships before becoming the 2006 World Champion.
Stephen’s professional career commenced when he began touring with Riverdance in 2005. He has since performed intermittently with Lord of the Dance, Gaelforce Dance and Magic of the Dance, as well as spending four consecutive summers performing the principle role for the Busch Gardens show, Emerald Beat. To date he has performed in 21 different countries around the world.
Stephen has recently graduated with a First-Class degree with Honours and is absolutely thrilled to be dancing with the show.

Shane Cummins

Irish Dance Troupe

Shane is from County Tipperary in Ireland. He began dancing at the age of four after taking classes in his primary school. Shane originally danced for the late Doirin Browne before finishing out his competitive career with Anthony Costello in Limerick. During his dancing career Shane won 6 Munster titles, finished in the top 10 in All Ireland and World Championships and won The British National Championships.

Shane has also toured Europe with two other well known productions, Dance Masters and Gaelforce Dance.  It has always been Shane’s childhood dream to be part of Riverdance and hopes for a long and successful career with the show.

Maggie Darlington

Irish Dance Troupe

Maggie began dancing at the age of three with the Claddagh School of Irish Dance in California, United States under the instruction of Maire O’Connoll. She went on to win four North American Championships, Two All-Ireland Championships and in 2007 won the World Irish Dancing Championships and is one of the few Americans to win all three titles in the same year.

Maggie has performed the lead role in Celtic Fire at Busche Gardens, Virginia and was the original female lead in Battle of the Dance Dinner Show in Anaheim, California. She is honored to now be a cast member of Riverdance.

Nicola Dempsey

Irish Dance Troupe

Nicola began dancing at the age of three, training in ballet, tap and contemporary in London. She started Irish dancing at eleven, placing highly at regionals, national and international competitions including the world championships.

Nicola has toured with numerous shows over the past 6 years including Celtic Legends, Dance of Desire and Lord of the Dance. She has recently passed her TCRG and is an accomplished classical flautist with a degree in Music, she hopes to teach music and dance in the future. Nicola is delighted to join the cast of Riverdance.

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.

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.

John Grimes

Irish Dance Troupe

John Grimes began Irish dancing in New Hampshire and was New England Regional Champion three times. He continued dancing while at university in Montreal, Quebec, with the Bernadette Short School of Irish Dancing.

During his competitive years in Montreal, John achieved two Eastern Canadian Championships, two top-five finishes and two top-ten finishes in the North American Irish Dancing Championships, and he recalled 10th in the All-Ireland Championships. Soon after graduation from Concordia University he received a call to audition in Dublin.

John joined Riverdance in November 2009 and is thrilled to be dancing the show.

Billy Kanaly

Irish Dance Troupe

Billy was born and raised in Denver Colorado. He started dancing when he was 7 years old with the Reed School of Irish Dance, after seeing Riverdance perform in Denver.

He grew up playing all sorts of sports including American football, pole vaulting, and skiing, but Irish dance has always been his passion. It has been his dream since he started dancing to be in Riverdance and he could not be more thrilled to be a part of the show.

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.

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.

Nicole McKeever

Irish Dance Troupe

Nicole began Irish dancing at age 13 with The DeNogla School in New Jersey. She received a BFA degree in the Visual Arts from Rutgers University in New Jersey. After a successful competitive career at a world championship level, Nicole moved to Ireland to earn a Masters Degree in Irish Dance Performance at the University of Limerick. She continued to compete and study with the Michael Ryan School in Tipperary. Soon after this, she began her professional career with Ragus the Show.

Growing up Nicole was one of Riverdance‘s biggest fans and finds it hard to believe that she has achieved her biggest dream of being in the show! Nicole has enjoyed touring in the Irish, American and European tours with Riverdance.

www.nicolemckeever.com

Brian Shinners

Irish Dance Troupe

From in Co. Tipperary, Brian started dancing at the age of 3 with the Fleming Ball School of Irish Dancing under his teacher Linda Ball Hoban. He had a successful competitive career winning Munster titles, the European championships and medals at the all Ireland and World championships.
Since the age of sixteen, Brian has worked seasonally as an entertainer at the Traditional Irish Evening in Bunratty Castle Folk Park which thousands of tourists visit each year. Brian comes from a musical family and has won medals at Fleadh Ceoil na h’Eireann on the bodhran.
After completing his degree in Primary School Teaching (Bachelor of Education), Brian got the opportunity to perform as a dancer and bodhran player in the Japanese production of The Pirate Queen. He has also toured Europe and America with dance show Rhythm of the Dance.
Brian was delighted and honoured to get the opportunity to join the amazing Riverdance cast.

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.

Kincaid Stringer

Irish Dance Troupe

Born in Dallas, Texas, Kincaid began dancing when he was 7 years and eventually moved to Galway to dance with The Celine Hession School in Salthill. Throughout his competitive career he won 10 regional titles as well as placing in the top three in The All Irelands and the top five in The World Championships.

In the fall of 2010 Kincaid graduated from University with a First Class Honours in English Literature along with a qualification in Business Management.

Kincaid is both delighted and privileged to finally be a part of the Riverdance cast and is looking forward to seeing the world and experiencing life on tour.

Marita Martinez-Rey

Flamenco

Born in Úbeda, Jaén, Marita graduated in Spanish Dance from the Royal Conservatory of Cordoba in 2001 and a year later in Classical Ballet with AraLeo Moyano. She also studied Flamencology, Cátedra de Flamencologia de Córdoba, as well as BA (Hons) Music and History in the Universidad Complutense in Madrid.

Her professional experience started in the opera El Cid with Placido Domingo, performed in Seville in 1999. Later on, she moved to Madrid to join the Ballet Gallego Rey de Viana. She has worked with several companies: Luisillo, Rafael Aguilar and José Greco among others. She has also performed as soloist in the role Dulcinea in Delirios del Quijote by Sara Lezana. In 2005 she joined the Compañia Antonio Gades where she has worked in the productions Carmen, Bodas de sangre and Fuenteovejuna.

Benjamin Mapp

Freedom Soloist & Tapper

Ben is thrilled to be joining the cast of Riverdance! His previous credits include Growing up 70′s (Off Broadway), High School Musical 1 & 2, Hairspray & Joseph.

Commercials include McDonald’s, MTV, and Nikon. Ben has a BFA from Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts and is a proud member of Actors Equity.

Ben would like to give special thanks to his family.

So Danca supplies shoes for the Riverdance Tappers

Jason E. Bernard

Tapper

Jason E. Bernard is a native of The Bronx, New York. At the age of 17 he made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning musical “ Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk”. Jason made his feature film debut in Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled “ as J. Bunny. He had the honor of dancing alongside Gregory Hines for Showtime Television’s “Bojangles”. Jason was a featured performer for CoisCéim Dance Theatre in the world premiere of “Dodgems” and was also featured and toured in Ireland in the revival of “Boxes” both shows choreographed and directed by David Bolger. Most recently Jason starred in New York City Center’s Encores! world premiere production of “Cotton Club Parade” directed by Warren Carlyle. Jason has studied acting at the William Esper Studio in New York. Jason is a producer of the first ever revival of “Godspell” currently on Broadway!

So Danca supplies shoes for the Riverdance Tappers

Declan Masterson

Keyboards / Musical Director

Multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer, Declan is in great demand, both as performer and recording artist. He has recorded and performed live with artists including Bono, Bryan Adams, John Denver, Van Morrison, Townes Van Zandt, Clannad, Planxty and Christy Moore, Elmer Bernstein and some of the world’s top orchestras. A former member of Moving Hearts and Patrick Street, his playing has been featured on the film soundtracks of In the Name of the Father, The Secret of Roan Inish and Some Mother’s Son among others.

Declan has performed Bill Whelan’s Seville Suite many times including in La Corunna with The Galecian Symphony Orchestra, and most recently in The Waterfront, Belfast with The Ulster Orchestra. He has five solo albums to his credit and has toured the world with Riverdance since 1996.

Mark Alfred

Drums / Percussion / Bodhrán

A native of Monaghan, Mark began playing drums at the age of 4, first studying at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin and then the Performing Arts College.

He is now one of Europe’s most sought after and highly regarded drummers working today. His very individualistic and energetic style has seen him play with many international acts including Lionel Richie, Simpy Red, Katie Melua, Josh Groban, The Corrs, The Divine Comedy, Lemar, Gary Moore, Mary Coughlan, Ronan Keating, Westlife, Girls Aloud, Donnie Osmond, and the late Christy Hennessy.

www.markalfred.com

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.

Niamh Ní Charra

Fiddle, Concertina

Niamh hails from Killarney, Ireland,. A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, she toured for 8 years as a soloist with Riverdance, performing in over 2500 shows.
Her debut album “Ón Dá Thaobh / From Both Sides” in 2007 was the only Irish album on MOJO’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. She received the “Best Trad Music Act 2008” award from The Irish World, and “Best Fiddle/Violin 2008” by the U.S. based Irish Music Association. Her second album “Súgach Sámh / Happy Out” was listed in NY Journalist Earle Hitchner’s Top 30 albums of 2010, and as “probably the best album of 2010” in Irish Music Magazine. She was nominated for “Top Solo Performer 2011″ in the Irish Music Awards and in January 2012 was awarded “Female Musician of the Year 2012″ in the Live Ireland Music Awards, compiled by renowned industry critic Bill Margeson. Niamh has also performed and recorded with The Chieftains, and with Carlos Núñez. and recently released a new album “The Basque Irish Connection”, in collaboration with Basque musician Ibon Koteron. She regularly gives workshops and masterclasses. www.niamhnicharra.com

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.