O'Sullivan School of Irish Dancing

	*THE O'SULLIVAN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING THROUGH THE YEARS* Welcome to the O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing… which began over 50 years ago in Glasgow, Scotland under the direction of Anna O’Sullivan, ADCRG. Anna continues to play an integral part in the school, and now enjoys guiding new students alongside her two daughters, Deirdre O’Sullivan-Toolan, TCRG, and Theresa O’Sullivan-Randall, TCRG. Over the years, the O’Sullivan School has taught hundreds of students about their Irish culture and heritage through the art of dancing while fostering an environment of dedication and hard work. We encourage the dancers to have fun and create friendships that will last a lifetime Dancers from the school are consistent contenders at World, National and Regional competitions in both team and solo categories. The students of the O’Sullivan School have become Regional and National champions in both solo and team competitions. Numerous dancers have also gone on to become World and All-Ireland medal holders. Our dancers have performed for NYC mayors, on stage at Radio City Music Hall, at Carnegie Hall, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and on many live television shows. We also perform at a variety of local charities and benefit events in the tri-state area throughout the year.

THE O'SULLIVAN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCING THROUGH THE YEARS

Welcome to the O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing…
which began over 50 years ago in Glasgow, Scotland under the direction of Anna O’Sullivan, ADCRG. Anna continues to play an integral part in the school, and now enjoys guiding new students alongside her two daughters, Deirdre O’Sullivan-Toolan, TCRG, and Theresa O’Sullivan-Randall, TCRG.

Over the years, the O’Sullivan School has taught hundreds of students about their Irish culture and heritage through the art of dancing while fostering an environment of dedication and hard work. We encourage the dancers to have fun and create friendships that will last a lifetime

Dancers from the school are consistent contenders at World, National and Regional competitions in both team and solo categories. The students of the O’Sullivan School have become Regional and National champions in both solo and team competitions. Numerous dancers have also gone on to become World and All-Ireland medal holders. Our dancers have performed for NYC mayors, on stage at Radio City Music Hall, at Carnegie Hall, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and on many live television shows. We also perform at a variety of local charities and benefit events in the tri-state area throughout the year.

	*DEIRDRE O'SULLIVAN TOOLAN* Deirdre O’Sullivan began learning about her Irish heritage at the early age of 4 years. She began taking dancing lessons from her mother Anna, traveling to dancing class along with her siblings every Saturday morning. Deirdre enjoyed her dancing and meeting all her friends and cousins at dancing each Saturday. Once she started competing, her natural ability showed and she won countless medals at feisanna throughout the Eastern seaboard. At the age of 11 Deirdre, with her brother John and sister AnnMarie, transferred to Jimmy and Patricia Friel. Under Jimmy and Pat’s guidance, Deirdre’s dancing continued to develop and she enjoyed great success at both Regional Oireachtas and North American Championships. She consistently had a place at the podium at almost every major competition. When Jimmy and Pat closed their school in 1985, Deirdre went to the Early-McLaughlin Dancing School in the Bronx, continuing her solo, ceili and figure dancing under Patsy’s guidance even through her college years. Deirdre is a practicing Physical Therapist who specializes in children and young adults with special needs. Deirdre holds both a Masters Degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. While working hard on this great profession, Deirdre also studied and passed her T.C.R.G. exam in 1992. In February 1996, Deirdre re-opened the O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing. Under her direction, the school has developed into one of the best in North America. Deirdre’s students have competed in feisanna in Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada and all over the United States. Many of her dancers have medaled at the All Ireland and many have recall medals from the World Competitions. The teams are equally competitive and have won many Regional Titles and received top awards at the Nationals. Deirdre’s great love for dancing shows through her dancers performances whether it be at a show for Senior Citizens, the Mayor of New York City, Carnegie Hall or the World Championships.

DEIRDRE O'SULLIVAN TOOLAN

Deirdre O’Sullivan began learning about her Irish heritage at the early age of 4 years. She began taking dancing lessons from her mother Anna, traveling to dancing class along with her siblings every Saturday morning.

Deirdre enjoyed her dancing and meeting all her friends and cousins at dancing each Saturday. Once she started competing, her natural ability showed and she won countless medals at feisanna throughout the Eastern seaboard. At the age of 11 Deirdre, with her brother John and sister AnnMarie, transferred to Jimmy and Patricia Friel. Under Jimmy and Pat’s guidance, Deirdre’s dancing continued to develop and she enjoyed great success at both Regional Oireachtas and North American Championships. She consistently had a place at the podium at almost every major competition. When Jimmy and Pat closed their school in 1985, Deirdre went to the Early-McLaughlin Dancing School in the Bronx, continuing her solo, ceili and figure dancing under Patsy’s guidance even through her college years.

Deirdre is a practicing Physical Therapist who specializes in children and young adults with special needs. Deirdre holds both a Masters Degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. While working hard on this great profession, Deirdre also studied and passed her T.C.R.G. exam in 1992.

In February 1996, Deirdre re-opened the O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing. Under her direction, the school has developed into one of the best in North America. Deirdre’s students have competed in feisanna in Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada and all over the United States. Many of her dancers have medaled at the All Ireland and many have recall medals from the World Competitions. The teams are equally competitive and have won many Regional Titles and received top awards at the Nationals.

Deirdre’s great love for dancing shows through her dancers performances whether it be at a show for Senior Citizens, the Mayor of New York City, Carnegie Hall or the World Championships.

	*ANNA O'SULLIVAN* Anna Connaghan O’Sullivan was born in Glasgow, Scotland of County Donegal parents who instilled a great love for Irish dancing, music and language in all of their four children. Anna began dancing in September 1947 and competed in her first feis in the spring of 1948 where she won her first medal. There was only one feis in Scotland in the 1940’s and 50’s so in 1953 Anna traveled to Newcastle upon Tyne and won the Minor Championship there. Anna continued to travel through Ireland and England competing and winning many of her championship competitions. In 1961, Anna began teaching in Glasgow with Julianna Lavelle Kilcoynne. In June 1963, their minor team placed 2nd at the Newcastle Feis. In October 1963, Anna immigrated to the USA and shortly thereafter began teaching Irish Dancing. In March 1964, Anna along with Peter J. Smith, Fedelmia Davis, Cyril McNiff (RIP), Kevin McKenna and Phil Kearns, formed the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA). Anna married John Christopher O’Sullivan, of Bantry, Co. Cork. They had six children, John, Annemarie, Deirdre, Kevin, Theresa, and Dermot. Along with Anna’s love for Irish Dancing and a deep love of her heritage, John also had a great love for Gaelic Football and anything Irish. They instilled in their children the same passion and love of Ireland and Irish heritage. All of them have been involved in the dancing world in some way, and continue to support the O'Sullivan School. In 1975 Anna brought her first figure team to the World Championships and they placed 4th in the Junior Figure Dancing Championship. In 1986, Brenda Cox Browne became the first solo dancer from the school to place at the World Dancing Championships in Limerick, Ireland. The dancers also appeared at many concerts, shows and events throughout the Tri State Area and on the Bill Boggs Show on live television. In 1986 Anna had to make one of the hardest decisions in her dancing life and temporarily gave up her teaching career to take care of her family. In July of 1986 the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America honored Anna at their annual convention and Championships in Syracuse. In 1987 Anna was elected onto the Examination Board of An Coimisiun. Although there was no O’Sullivan School for several years, Anna continued to help many teachers who asked for her help with their schools. She also continued to adjudicate at feisanna throughout North America, Ireland, and Scotland and help new teachers obtain their TCRG and ADCRG certification from An Coimisiun, the governing body.

ANNA O'SULLIVAN

Anna Connaghan O’Sullivan was born in Glasgow, Scotland of County Donegal parents who instilled a great love for Irish dancing, music and language in all of their four children. Anna began dancing in September 1947 and competed in her first feis in the spring of 1948 where she won her first medal. There was only one feis in Scotland in the 1940’s and 50’s so in 1953 Anna traveled to Newcastle upon Tyne and won the Minor Championship there. Anna continued to travel through Ireland and England competing and winning many of her championship competitions. In 1961, Anna began teaching in Glasgow with Julianna Lavelle Kilcoynne. In June 1963, their minor team placed 2nd at the Newcastle Feis.

In October 1963, Anna immigrated to the USA and shortly thereafter began teaching Irish Dancing. In March 1964, Anna along with Peter J. Smith, Fedelmia Davis, Cyril McNiff (RIP), Kevin McKenna and Phil Kearns, formed the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA). Anna married John Christopher O’Sullivan, of Bantry, Co. Cork. They had six children, John, Annemarie, Deirdre, Kevin, Theresa, and Dermot. Along with Anna’s love for Irish Dancing and a deep love of her heritage, John also had a great love for Gaelic Football and anything Irish. They instilled in their children the same passion and love of Ireland and Irish heritage. All of them have been involved in the dancing world in some way, and continue to support the O'Sullivan School.

In 1975 Anna brought her first figure team to the World Championships and they placed 4th in the Junior Figure Dancing Championship. In 1986, Brenda Cox Browne became the first solo dancer from the school to place at the World Dancing Championships in Limerick, Ireland. The dancers also appeared at many concerts, shows and events throughout the Tri State Area and on the Bill Boggs Show on live television.

In 1986 Anna had to make one of the hardest decisions in her dancing life and temporarily gave up her teaching career to take care of her family. In July of 1986 the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America honored Anna at their annual convention and Championships in Syracuse. In 1987 Anna was elected onto the Examination Board of An Coimisiun. Although there was no O’Sullivan School for several years, Anna continued to help many teachers who asked for her help with their schools. She also continued to adjudicate at feisanna throughout North America, Ireland, and Scotland and help new teachers obtain their TCRG and ADCRG certification from An Coimisiun, the governing body.

	*THERESA O'SULLIVAN-RANDALL* Theresa followed in her older brother and sisters’ footsteps and began learning about her Irish heritage and culture from a very early age. She danced under the watchful eye of her mother until Anna closed the school in 1986. Theresa then transferred to the McLoughlin School of Irish Dancing and danced for Patsy McLoughlin until she was 22 years old. During Theresa’s 18 years of competitive Irish dancing, she danced at competitions throughout the world. She is a 5 time Eastern Regional Champion, 4 time National Champion and the 1996 U.S, Senior Belt Champion. The highlight of her competitive career came in 1997 when she won the Senior Ladies World Irish Dancing Championships. Theresa was the first American female to win a World Championship title, opening the door for other American females who have been able to follow in her footsteps. While Theresa competed at feisanna throughout the world, she found time to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997 at Quinnipiac University. Having won the ultimate prize in competitive Irish Dance, Theresa decided to go out on top. She then went on to tour and star in Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” for 2 years. During her time in the show Theresa worked very hard and was eventually asked to take on the lead role of Morrighan, The Temptress. Another highlight of her dance career was being part of Michael Flatley’s farewell performance at Hyde Park, London, in front of 25,000 people. Theresa studied and passed the TCRG exam in July of 2001, and then opened the West Coast Branch of the O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing. She trained numerous dancers, enjoying many wins at many competitions. After 9 years, Theresa returned to New York. Theresa wants to instill in her students a love for Irish dancing and culture. She wants the students to learn the value of working hard to achieve their goals while enjoying the friendships that are made along the way. In addition to teaching Irish dance, Theresa is an Occupational Therapist who works with special needs children.

THERESA O'SULLIVAN-RANDALL

Theresa followed in her older brother and sisters’ footsteps and began learning about her Irish heritage and culture from a very early age. She danced under the watchful eye of her mother until Anna closed the school in 1986. Theresa then transferred to the McLoughlin School of Irish Dancing and danced for Patsy McLoughlin until she was 22 years old.

During Theresa’s 18 years of competitive Irish dancing, she danced at competitions throughout the world. She is a 5 time Eastern Regional Champion, 4 time National Champion and the 1996 U.S, Senior Belt Champion. The highlight of her competitive career came in 1997 when she won the Senior Ladies World Irish Dancing Championships. Theresa was the first American female to win a World Championship title, opening the door for other American females who have been able to follow in her footsteps. While Theresa competed at feisanna throughout the world, she found time to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997 at Quinnipiac University.

Having won the ultimate prize in competitive Irish Dance, Theresa decided to go out on top. She then went on to tour and star in Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” for 2 years. During her time in the show Theresa worked very hard and was eventually asked to take on the lead role of Morrighan, The Temptress. Another highlight of her dance career was being part of Michael Flatley’s farewell performance at Hyde Park, London, in front of 25,000 people.

Theresa studied and passed the TCRG exam in July of 2001, and then opened the West Coast Branch of the O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing. She trained numerous dancers, enjoying many wins at many competitions. After 9 years, Theresa returned to New York. Theresa wants to instill in her students a love for Irish dancing and culture. She wants the students to learn the value of working hard to achieve their goals while enjoying the friendships that are made along the way. In addition to teaching Irish dance, Theresa is an Occupational Therapist who works with special needs children.