Teacher Bios
Suzanne Dunleavy McDonough, TCRG began Irish dancing at age five in Yonkers, New York. At age eight, Suzanne placed 8th at her first Eastern Regional Oireachtas and consistently placed at each annual Oireachtas and North American Championships. Suzanne's most recent accomplishments are among her most proud: she placed 9th place at the prestigious World Championships in Killarney in 2003, having also medalled at the All Ireland championships earlier that year. With the final accomplishment of finishing Second Place at the North American Irish Dancing Championships, Suzanne took her TCRG exam and became a registered Irish dance teacher.
Suzanne has conducted guest workshops on Irish Dancing with other dancing schools throughout the United States. She regularly performs with Cherish the Ladies and has performed with other bands including the Wolftones and Black 47 and at venues including New York's Radio City Music Hall. A graduate of Boston College ('99) and Boston College Law School ('02), Suzanne is currently working as an Assistant District Attorney for the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office in Brockton, Massachusetts. She and her husband, Matt, live in Marshfield.
Theresa Shaffer Wilkinson, TCRG began dancing at age four under the instruction of Theresa Burke, ADCRG, in Youngstown, Ohio. During a successful competitive career that included placing 5th regionally, 14th nationally and twice traveling to compete in the World Championships of Irish Dance, Theresa began working with younger students at the Burke school. She quickly found a passion in teaching dance. She became a registered teacher (TCRG) through the Irish Dance Commission (An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha) in Ireland, and also continued dancing in performances with Trinity Dance Company and Irish music groups such as Solas and Cherish the Ladies.
Music and dance are a family affair for Theresa - her father Mike Shaffer is a world-renowned feis musician, as was Theresa's late grandfather Gordon Shaffer. Theresa and her father have recorded several CDs of Irish dance practice music, and they are in continuous demand to play at local, regional and national Irish dance competitions. She also continues to pass on the family heritage to her two children, Kiera and Theo. Theresa and husband, Philip, both hold degrees in Architecture from Kent State University. They live in Quincy.
Assistant Teachers
Bridgette Briere began dancing at age 3 and now competes in the Ladies 19-21 agegroup. She has had a successful career placing in both solos and teams regionally and nationally, including a personal best of 5th place at the New England Regional Championships. Bridgette qualified for and competed at the World Championships in Belfast 2008 and Philadelphia 2009. While Bridgette continues to compete, she is also preparing for the TCRG exam, and is an assistant in all levels at Dunleavy Shaffer. She also excels at hockey and is studying to be a teacher.
Doug LeCours is in his ninth year of dancing, and is a lead instructor for our Boys Class. During his career he has won the New England Regional Oireachtas five times and has danced and placed at the North American Championships on several occasions. He has also qualified for and competed at the World Championships and the All Ireland Championships numerous times. Douglas is excited to be teaching this year, and he is happy to be a part of the Dun-Shaf team. He is currently entering his junior year of high school. Along with Irish dancing he enjoys playing the violin and studying other forms of dance.
Kasey Briere Kahler has been dancing for almost 20 years, and is currently preparing to take the rigorous TCRG exam. Kasey is an assistant teacher in all levels at Dunleavy Shaffer. As a young dancer Kasey placed 2nd at the New England Regional Championships and 24th at the North American Championships. She was a 4 time World Qualifier and attended Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (World Championships) in Philadelphia, 2009. In addition to competing, Kasey has performed with Tony Kenny, John McDermott, Natalie MacMaster, the Three Irish Tenors and many other well known Irish entertainers. Outside of the studio, Kasey is a certified paramedic with Fallon Ambulance Service and mom to Madison Rose, who is almost 3 and hoping to fill Kasey's dance shoes someday!
Maggie Nee is 13 and has been dancing with Dunleavy Shaffer for 3.5 years. She is now in the Prizewinner level and is an assistant in our Beginner classes. Maggie also plays piano and is an 8th grader at Hanover Junior High.
Rachel Wooley has been taking Irish dance for just two years but has quickly advanced to the prizewinner level. Rachel is an assistant teacher in our Beginner classes. She had been studying other forms of dance from age 7, but was inspired to try Irish step dancing at age 12 after attending a Riverdance performance. In addition to Irish step dancing Rachel plays the piano and sings, and is a freshman at Duxbury High School this year.
Shannon Holden has been dancing for 8 years and currently competes in the Preliminary Championship level. She is a fabulous assistant in our Beginner thru Prizewinner classes. Besides spending 2-3 days per week at Dunleavy Shaffer, Shannon also plays volleyball and is a sophomore at Hingham High.
Shannon Nee has been with Dunleavy Shaffer for 3.5 years and is a Prizewinner dancer. She has also studied many other forms of dance from a very young age, and is an assistant in our Beginner & Novice levels. Shannon is a sophomore at Hanover High.