You can read about the learn to dance team below

Niall Newman

Love to Dance ltd has the knowledge and wealth of over 30 years dance experience. Niall Newman MD Started dancing at the tender age of 5 and won the under 8 all Ireland ballroom and Latin American title a year later. From that moment Niall had dancing in his blood and is now a respected dance coach and choreographer who has trained, taught and adjudicated professionally worldwide and has also worked extensively in TV and the media industry. Niall was also very successful when he competed internationally were he won many major titles as well as making finals of British, European and world championships some of which has never been achieved by an Irish person. On retirement from competitive work on the international stage Niall turned his energy, knowledge and experience to bring dancing to all parts of Ireland. His aim is to take away the fear factor from dancing and present it in a fun and enjoyable manner at grass roots level so it can be enjoyed by everyone.

Riikka Pentinsaari

My passion for dance started at age 6 with classical, jazz and ballet lessons in Toivola-Luotola Ballet school, Finland. I did ballet for 14 years and at the same time I was a member of my home village’s gymnastics organisation ( Keminmaan Naisvoimistelijat). I participated in all kind of classes from aerobics to dance, doing local dance performances with my group and took part in some bigger international events too. Age 15 I was teaching kids ballet and gymnastics, dancing being a big part of my youth!

Later on I started to take lessons in a Finnish Show Dance Company Hot Cakes Rovaniemi (2003-2006). I learnt Hip Hop, Jazz, Disco, Show and some Latin styles and a new world of dance opened up for me! I became a member of a professional dancers show team. I was a dancer in two dance theatre shows (Around the World 04, Seasons of Lapland 05), and I worked as a dance teacher teaching  children and adults.  I participated and gained some achievements in Finnish, European and World Championships.
Year 2006 and I entered into one of Learn To Dance’s pole fitness classes to experience something I never had done before!  Had a great fun, brilliant exercise and an offer to audition for a teaching position! I’ve worked for Learn To Dance for 2 years full time now. Teaching hip hop, latin and pole fitness. And dance training for primary school teachers. In my free time I’m learning Argentinan Tango!

Magda Chadzyska

My name is Magda and I was born in Poland. I started dancing when I was 9 years old, I went to  latin american and ballroom classes in Poland (my mother pushed me into the classes because I didn’t want to go at first ) but after  one class , I  was very happy and  I started to look forward to the next class. At age  11 , I started entering dance competitions with my first partner and we danced together  for 6 years,  it was great fun and we did well together. I love dancing and I’m happy I can dance in Ireland, teach my classes and learn more about dancing as there’s always more dances to learn. I’ve Iived in Ireland for 3 years  now and I’ve worked  for 2 years with Learn to Dance and I can say I love my job! And I love working with great people. When I first came to Ireland I went to Salsa classes to make me a better dancer and teacher. I’m a happy person, I love working with people and teaching them to love dance and have great fun while dancing.

Carla Rooney

I live in a wee town called Clones in Co. Monaghan, famous for the Clones Cyclone (Barry Mc Guigan), Johnathan Douglas (Leeds Utd) and the Film ” The Butcher Boy”.

My love of dance came first really for my love of music. As a young girl I grew up singing and listening to everything from the 50’s & 60’s, the usual crooners of Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Elvis, Doris Day and of course Frank Sinatra who without doubt,  is still my all time favourite. Then from their music into the films, watching Elvis in Jailhouse Rock to Doris Day in Calamity Jane I was hooked on everything musical.

I started my first dance class when I was around 7 and like any other child in Ireland, I started with Irish dancing. I then moved to gymnastics which I trained and competed for nearly 10yrs. This is where I really excelled as a performer, and having to make up my own routines and dance steps to music.  Back then coming from a small town there was never any real opportunities to go to a performance school or dance college, so I just had to work well at whatever I could do at the time.

I was discovered by Niall when I was actually in the class doing both hip hop & latin american. It really was like being in the right place at the right time. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I would be doing something that I really do LOVE for a living. I have now been part of the Learn To Dance team for the past year and it has been an amazing year. To me  it’s not only about teaching people how to dance but its seeing them having fun with their friends or the kids faces when they’re learning a new step or better still, seeing their parents faces when they see their children doing the routine each week and you can see they are just so proud and excited for them, that’s what makes this job so worthwhile to me.

I am very grateful to my parents for their musical influences on me, teaching me how to jive & waltz at the tender age of 11 at the usual family weddings. For making me appreciate that when you have a gift and a love for something you should always try and excel to your full potential, of which I am now doing. To Niall and the Learn to Dance team it’s been a fabulous year and hope I have many more to come.

Linda Parks

My name is Linda and I teach classes in Donegal, Enniskillen, Cookstown and Mullingar.

From studying ballet, jazz and tap, I went on to study exercise and fitness with dance at degree and masters level in Liverpool. On graduation I gained further qualifications in aerobics, boxercise, ball stability, circuit training, gym instructor, spinning, sports and deep tissue massage, salsafit and salsacise.

I have concentrated on teaching fitness classes for the last 5 yrs but I have always loved dancing. Where I lived there were no dance classes that I could go to but thankfully one day ‘Learn to Dance’ came to my area and I was so excited!! Whilst participating in one of their classes they asked me would I be interested in teaching for them and I jumped at the chance to audition for Niall, we went through a training process and here I am!

I have been teaching with Learn to Dance for over a year now and I love all the classes- each age group and dance style is different but they are all great fun, very relaxed and very rewarding.

Lisa Cahill

Lisa Cahill began dancing during her time at university whilst studying Primary Teaching and Drama at Strawberry Hill, London. At college she specialised in  physical theatre and performing in dramatic and dance productions. During her four years of primary teaching experience in London and Ireland, she has continued her dance training, doing a Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Dance at the University of Limerick, completing the Laban’s Community Dance Leader’s Course and much more. Lisa loves teaching dance and experiencing the joy it brings to people. She still continues to perform. In 2008, she danced in Kathy McGuinness’s Dance Masters with Mandy McLoughlin’s Belly Dancers from Kildare. . Lisa is passionate about creative and community dance and has set up numerous dance projects in the Limerick area for older people in residential care and is currently planning to set up a Parent Toddler creative dance group in the Limerick area. Lisa looks forward to dancing with you.

Sharon Fitzsimons

My name is Sharon and I have been working with Learn to Dance for the past five years. I started dancing at an early age at the Cora Cadwell School of Irish Dance and then went on to do modern dance with the Morosini Whelan Dance School. I participated in many John Player Tops of the Town competitions in both acting and dancing.
After graduating college, I worked in the airline industry for over 15 years, starting out as cabin crew and promoted to Manager of In-Flight Services but as dancing is my first love, I audition for Learn to Dance and have been teaching children and adults hiphop, Jive, Salsa and Cha- Cha.

Maeve Mullins

My name is Maeve Mullins and I live in Tuam, Co. Galway. I have always had a passion for dancing and when I was younger I attended classes in ballet, gymnastics, disco dancing and hiphop. I won two All-Ireland medals for disco dancing at the age of 16 and I also have a diploma in gym and aerobic instruction.

I have worked with Learn to Dance for the past three years and I love every minute of it. It is a fantastic company to work for and I meet many amazing people in my classes. Not many people get to work at something they love so it’s a pleasure for me to work with Learn To Dance and I look forward to each new term with excitement.

Amy Ward

My name is Amy Ward. I have been dancing since I was 5 years old. I began in a local ballet class and progressed onto Helen Jordan Stage School. I learned all different kinds of dancing including tap, jazz, salsa and many more. I performed in shows in the National Concert Hall, The Olympia and Liberty Hall.
I took up Pole Fitness classes one year ago in Leopardstown and loved it. I thought it was a great, fun way of keeping fit.
I am currently in my final year of Law in UCD.

Rachel Montague

Rachel Montague, 23 years old, is from Canterbury in England. After leaving school Rachel studied nursing at Canterbury College for four years. Since moving to Ireland 3 years ago, Rachel has become one of Ireland’s busiest models, working with Assets modelling agency. Rachel has also commenced acting and has recently appeared in ‘The Tudors’ starring opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Rachel has worked in many of London’s top night clubs as a freestyle dancer. She is also a part-time DJ who guests in several Dublin clubs.

Catherine Connaughton

My name is Catherine Connaughton and I hail from the lovely town of New Ross, Co. Wexford.

I first started dancing at the age of 3 where I learned Irish Dancing, I loved dancing so much I started tap dancing and from there I joined New Ross Musical Society at the age of 8 where I learned all different dance styles. When Salsa got big in Ireland I decided to try that too. A year ago I heard about Hip Hop classes in New Ross and joined the class. The company was Learn to Dance and the teacher Magda asked would I be interested in auctioning to become  a teacher.(I didn’t have to be asked twice) I started ‘rigorous’ training with Niall soon after and started teaching in Sept ’08 and that they say is history!!

Ellie McLoughlin

My name is Ellie and I have worked for Learn to Dance for over four years teaching Hip Hop and Latin American dance all across Leinster. Originally from Clondalkin in Dublin, I was introduced to the wonderful world of dance at age three when I first started ballet and quickly fell in love with it! I then progressed into many different dance styles such as Tap, Jazz, Modern and Hip Hop performing in numerous shows, pantomimes and TV specials.I have completed all grade examinations awarded by the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) and currently studying for my Associate Teacher’s in Ballet. I am delighted to return to teaching after a six month break travelling the world where I had the opportunity to try Argentine Tango, Fijian tribal dance, Balinese Dancing and Hip Hop (Australian style!!)

Noeline Dunne

Noeline Dunne has worked for Learn to Dance for over a year as Assistant Manager. Her career has spanned ten years in office management, she enjoys the variety of work with Learn to Dance, particularly when students ring in to relate how they’ve enjoyed the classes with us.