Meet the crew

Our Team

For Dancers, By Dancers

Members of Brooklyn Irish Dance Company have performed on Broadway, throughout North America and around the world, with companies including: Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Celtic Fyre, Dance Masters, Women of Ireland, and Trinity Irish Dance Company, and with notable Irish musicians including: The Chieftains, Eileen Ivers, Cherish the Ladies, Máiréad Nesbitt, Danu, and The Prodigals, among others.

Meet the Founders

Erin O'Donnell

Founder, Executive Director & Choreographer
Erin started dancing at the age of seven under Peggy White with the An Rince Mor School of Irish Dance in Long Island, NY. After a successful competitive career medaling nationally and internationally, she spent several years dancing professionally, most notably as an opening cast member of Celtic Fyre and Carol of the King, the Irish Dance Christmas Spectacular, on tour internationally as the lead performer in Night of the Dance, and as part of the US premiere of Fainne Oir on Broadway. She has also performed throughout the United States with many Irish musicians, including world reknowned fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt of Celtic Woman, Danu, and The Prodigals.
A New York native, she has been a resident of Brooklyn since 2013, when she received her TCRG certification with honors from An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha. She opened the O’Donnell Academy in Brooklyn in 2016, and after realizing there was no creative outlet for advanced Irish dancers despite the city’s cultural history, she founded Brooklyn Irish Dance Company as a means to cultivate professional-level opportunities for dancers in the NYC community.
Stacey Cox

Founder, Director of Communications
Stacey started dancing at the age of four in Tampa, Florida at the Butler School of Irish Dance under Sheila Butler Duffy. Stacey competed and performed in Florida, where she ranked at the regional and national level under the direction of Karl Drake. Irish Dancing was a family affair, as Stacey's sister Amanda also competed and later organized performances and helped her practice. After a hiatus in her college and early professional career, Stacey returned to dancing in New York City, where she became a founding member of Brooklyn Irish Dance Company. Her most recent dance credits include opening cast member of the production Jigs, Dreams, and Reality, and dancer in the off-Broadway productions Celtic America and A Celtic Christmas Story.
Stacey is a Marketing Lead in the live entertainment space, but more importantly adds Producer to her resume with Brooklyn Irish Dance Company premiere productions Celtic America and A Celtic Christmas Story. You can find Stacey in Brooklyn using her public relations and marketing expertise as the Director of Communications and planning with her three other founders.
Alexandra Owensby

Founder, Creative Director
Alexandra started taking dance classes at the age of six and is well versed in ballet, tap, and jazz. At the age of 12, one of her dance teachers wanted to try Irish dancing and after a few classes Alexandra was hooked. She began dancing with Geraldine Murray in Portland Oregon before dancing with O’Grady Quinlan when they moved to Pennsylvania for college and graduate school where she achieved her competitive goal of competing at the World Championships of Irish Dancing. During this time they enjoyed many performance and tour opportunities, as well as ensemble and solo roles within Mt. Hood Ballet theater productions.
After Alexandra moved to New York City to pursue their creative aspirations, she joined forces with her other co-founders and following a performance in the opening cast of Jigs, Dreams, and Reality, Brooklyn Irish Dance Company was formed. Within the company, Alexandra has enjoyed the role of producer and performer as part of A Celtic Christmas Story, Celtic America, and Celtic Odyssey (where they performed in drag as one of the first off-broadway Irish dancing drag kings.
Mallory Silliere

Founder, Director of Partnerships
Mallory started Irish dance at seven years old with the Pender-Keady Academy in Stamford, CT. In her competitive career she competed at the regional, national, and world level. She was an opening cast member of Jigs, Dreams & Reality in 2018, and a featured performer and singer in A Celtic Christmas Story. and is proud to be a founding member of the Brooklyn Irish Dance Company.

Meet The Dancers

Michael Piotrowski

Company Member since 2018, Featured Performer & Choreographer
Michael is delighted to be a part of Brooklyn! His competitive career under Anne-Marie Cunningham and Kevin McCormack includes four consecutive European Championships titles, and other medals at major Oireachtais in Ireland, and the UK. Michael toured with numerous Irish dance shows, including "Lord of the Dance", and “Dangerous Games" on Broadway. Most recently he performed as a principal dancer in “Fainne Oir” at Symphony Space, and theaters in Ireland. Off-Broadway: “Letters to Sala” (Albert Pachta/Dance Capt.); “A Celtic Christmas Story” (dancer); “Celtic America” (dancer). Film: “The Audition”, “The Dissonance”. Michael is a TCRG at Deirdre O’ Mara School of Irish Dance, and a proud graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. www.ActorMichaelP.com Instagram: @bearpio
Lisa Murphy

Company Member since 2018, Featured Performer
A Brooklyn girl, born & raised, Lisa Murphy began her Irish Dance career at the age of 8 with the O’Malley Irish Dance Academy. After a successful competitive career, achieving numerous regional, national, & world accolades, she became a TCRG in 2013. She currently teaches at the O’Malley Irish Dance Academy, aiming to instill in the students the same love of Irish Dance that inspired her. In 2018 year she performed with Hammerstep in their inaugural immersive theater production Indigo Grey: The Micah Grey Experiment. Lisa was also featured in two Pepsi commercials for Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Halftime performance in 2017.
Joe Harrison

Company Member since 2019
Joe has been dancing since the age of 4. He trained with the Shamrock School in CT as well as the O’Shea Chaplin Academy in Boston, MA. Joe began dancing professionally at Raglan Road in Walt Disney World Florida and since then has toured the globe with Riverdance, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Titanic Dance and Celtic Fyre. Most notably, Joe performed on Broadway for Michael Flatley’s final performances of Lord of the Dance.
Catie Horseman

Company Member since 2018
At the wee age of four, Catie’s mom, a former Irish dancer, showed her Riverdance on VHS. Ever since, Catie has been using hop 1-2-3’s as her main form of transportation. Her instantaneous love, commitment, and passion for the sport has led to over two decades of competing and medaling in numerous Regional, National, and World Championships and performing with the likes of The Chieftains.
After many years of teaching and competing under Mary Jo Clark of the Clark Academy of Irish Dance in St. Louis, MO, Catie moved to New York City to pursue her love of art, people, and of course, Irish dancing. She is an original company member of Brooklyn Irish Dance Company and hopes to use her career as a Video Director and Producer to show New York just how exciting the sport can be.
Colin Barkell

Company Member since 2019
Colin’s charismatic and athletic style of Irish dancing has taken him around the world and onto Broadway as both a principal and troupe dancer. He made his Broadway Debut in 2022 as a member of Paradise Square, has been the lead in both Rhythm of the Dance and Celtic Fyre, and performed on tour of Rockin’ Road to Dublin. He performed at the White House for both Presidents Obama and Biden and was named Irish Dance Magazine’s “Most Inspirational” Irish Dancer of 2016. He has also choreographed for the boys’ program at the Paloma School of Irish Dance in PA, and provided guest choreography for Trinity’s ‘Men of Trinity’ program in Chicago.
Mary Kate Drew

Company Member since 2019
Mary Kate began dancing at the age of three with the legendary Peter Smith, and continues to train under the tutelage of the Heritage Irish Dance Company in New Jersey. She has graced stages across the world at regional, National, and world competitions. In addition to competitive Irish Dance, she has also enjoyed performing at renowned locations such as Carnegie Hall, NJPAC, Count Bassie Theater, Bickford Theater, and alongside The Chieftains. A triple threat, she has been a featured singer in A Celtic Christmas Story and Celtic Odyssey (in addition to her role as a troupe dancer), and has supported BIDC behind the scenes with her technical experience in sound and lighting.
Jack Murphy

Company Member since 2021
Brooklyn born and a product of a huge Irish family with a long legacy in dance, it was only a matter of time before Jack Murphy started dancing himself. He watched both of his sisters and mom dance and knew that he wanted to dance as well. Jack started dancing at the O’Malley Irish dance academy at the age of 8 and instantly fell in love. Currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation and 3rd in the region, and a multiple world qualifier. He helps out with many classes at his studio and loves teaching every age and level of dance. Jack has performed in many shows with his school over the years and earlier this year starred in a music video alongside other Mid-Atlantic Irish dancers for the band Citizen.
Caitlin Giagnacova

Company Member since 2021
Caitlin began her dance journey at the age of 3. After 8 years of ballet, tap, and jazz, she began Irish Dancing with Kate Wosczyna and quickly fell in love. Currently dancing with Aisling Mor Academy in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, she has been ranked in the top 10 nationally and top 20 internationally and is a 3-time World Qualifier. In addition to her competitive achievements, she has participated in the Riverdance Summer Program and was a part of the Hammerstep quarantine collaboration. She currently assistant teaches and has passed all 12 of her grade exams. One day she hopes to take the TCRG exam and pass on her love of Irish dance to the next generation.
Elisabeth Archer

Company Member since 2021
Elisabeth fell in love with Irish Dance at the age of 6, and later joined the Drake School of Irish Dance where she had the opportunity to perform with Eileen Ivers and the Chieftains. When not Irish Dancing, Elisabeth can be found teaching, dancing, and choreographing ballet and contemporary dance. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Purchase College, SUNY, and has performed works by distinguished choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, George Balanchine, and Agnes DeMilles. Elisabeth has presented her work at the Trust Performing Arts Center, the Hudson Guild Theater, Ailey Citigroup Theater, the Theater of Chen Dance Center, Triskelion, and Rioult Dance Center.
KJ Campbell

Company Member since 2022
KJ grew up training under The Academy in Columbus Ohio, where he went on to win TWO World Championship titles in teams. In addition to multiple wins at the Worlds, he has competed globally at The All Irelands, and The Great Britain’s. After moving to NYC during lockdown, KJ made his Brooklyn debut in A Celtic Christmas Story in December 2022. KJ loves performing, and loves to charm an audience! When he is not dancing you can catch him in Teen Vogue and the NY Times advocating for trans dancers across the globe.
Jacqueline Sharry

Company Member since 2021
Jacqueline started Irish dancing at the age of 4 in Worcester, Massachusetts and never stopped. She danced with the McInerney School of Irish Dance for 16 years under the tutelage of Clare McInerney and the late Mary McInerney. She competed and medaled at Regional, National, and World Championships. She has lived in New York City since 2019 and has been dancing with Brooklyn Irish Dance Company since 2021, making her mainstage debut in A Celtic Christmas Story in 2022. Outside of dancing, Jacqueline is an urban planner working towards a more resilient New York City, the wonderful place BIDC calls home.
Julia Manwaring

Company Member since 2024
Julia Manwaring began dancing at 3 years old with the Griffith Academy of Dance in Wethersfield, Connecticut; starting with Irish dance and quickly adding ballet, tap, and jazz. Her love for dance and performing blossomed and led to competitions and performances on the regional and national level. She attended Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts which allowed her to study many different dance styles while also creating her own works. In May of 2023 Julia graduated from Hofstra University with a BA in dance and a BA in Psychology. Throughout her career Julia has worked with choreographers such as Larry Keigwin, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Dyane Harvey-Salaam, Livia Vanaver, and Robbie Cook, and most recently made her professional debut as a member of Darrah Carr Dance in “Ceili” at the Irish Arts Center.
Joey Roca

Company Member since 2024
Growing up in Florida, Joey Roca started his Irish dance journey at 13 years old. He quickly made his way through the ranks and has achieved regional, national, and international competitive success. In addition to his technical skill, Joey is also an experienced performer, entertaining and impressing audiences all over the world. Since early 2017, he has been a valuable asset to several prestigious Irish dance companies and shows, including the American Company of Irish Dance, Celtic Fyre, Dublin Irish Dance, and Celtic Illusion. He made his BIDC debut in 2024 performing with the iconic Samantha Mumba at Webster Hall.
Meghan Evans

Company Member since 2024
Meghan began Irish Dancing at 5 years old, with the O’Grady Quinlan school, and later with the Harney Pender Keady Academy for the next 10 years. She has competed in both solo and team competitions at regional, national, and world levels. Aside from competitive Irish Dancing, she’s performed with the Christmas Celtic Sojourn production across New England and with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. In college, she was starting treasurer and co-choreographer for the UMass Irish Dance team. When she’s not dancing, Meghan works in Sales Operations at Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skincare. Having lived in NYC for the past 2 years, Meghan is so excited to have the opportunity to dance in this city that she adores!
Dani Campbell

Company Member since 2024
Dani Campbell discovered his love for irish dancing at The Academy in Ohio. Here he developed a passion for performing while also training for international competitions such as the All Irelands, Great Britain’s, and even the World Championships where he took part in a winning team. Dani has since gone on to dance professionally with Dance Masters, performing for audiences around the globe.
Tara Kuhl

Company Member since 2024
Tara’s dance journey began when she was two years old. A graduate of the Martha Graham dance school in NYC, she has been a freelance dancer in NYC for several years now! She recently got back from tour with “Ballet for Young Audiences”, and is currently working with Linda Diamond Company. She is looking forward to staring her first season with Brooklyn Irish Dance Company!
Morgan Brown

Company Member since 2024
Morgan started dancing at the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since. Growing up in a military family, she traveled all over North America and Europe, continuing to dance and compete. She now lives and dances in Connecticut under the Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy. Morgan has also competed competitively at the collegiate level with Sacred Heart University. When not dancing, she is a strength and conditioning coach for Irish dancers. Morgan is thrilled to be a part of Brooklyn Irish Dance Company and further her professional dancing career.
Caitlin Stewart

City Corps Member since 2024
Caitlin began her dance career at the Erickson Academy of Irish Dance in Cincinnati, Ohio. Inspired by Irish dancers performing at her elementary school for St. Patrick’s Day, she started dance at the age of 5 and has been obsessed with it ever since. Caitlin has gone on to place regionally, nationally, and has had the privilege of dancing at the world championships twice.
After moving to Pittsburgh for college, she became involved with the Pitt Irish Dance Club, participating in collegiate competitions on the east coast. Currently, she is completing her last grade exam and studying for her TCRG.
Caitlin is extremely excited to continue her dance journey and join a company full of dancers and creatives who are passionate about what they do.
Fiona Caretto

City Corps Member since 2024
Fiona grew up in Germantown, Maryland and started Irish dancing at the age of five. In the over two decades since then, she has competed at the regional, national, and world championship level, including a year performing and competing in Prague, Czech Republic, which culminated in a 2nd place ranking at the Continental Europe and Asia Irish Dance Championships. Now a resident of NYC, Fiona is so excited to join Brooklyn Irish Dance Company for the 2024 season!
Kate Wallace

City Corps Member since 2024
Kate started dancing at a young age and competed until age eleven. During college she joined an Irish Dance Club and quickly jumped back into competing with the Brennan Lucey Irish Dance Academy. She is now doing her dream job as an emergency room nurse in Queens. In her spare time, Kate loves performing at shows around the tri-state area. She is stoked to join BIDC and continue performing!
Meghan Lucey

Original Company Member, Choreographer
Meghan Lucey, a Connecticut native, began dancing at the age of 7. In her competitive career Meghan was awarded numerous titles including National Champion, All-Scotland Champion, NAFC Senior Belt Champion and 6 time New England Regional Champion. She has also placed in the top 5 at every major competition within An Coimisiún, including an incredible 2nd place and silver medal at the World Championships in 2009. Meghan’s professional career began when she joined the cast of Riverdance in 2007. She has toured with Riverdance extensively for an impressive 9 years throughout North America, Europe, and Asia and lists her personal highlights as performing at Radio City Music Hall in NYC, NBC’s Riverdance on Ice, and CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden in Los Angeles. She has also enjoyed touring with several other productions including Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Fire and Women of Ireland. Meghan was also the Dance Captain for Ireland the Show, the Principle Dancer in the Busch Gardens show Celtic Fyre, and featured on NBC’s America’s Got Talent as part of Hammerstep.
Myles Lawson

Original Company Member, Choreographer
Myles Lawson started his dancing career as a student at Regan Rankin Holland Irish Dance Academy in Columbus, OH. As a competitor, Myles placed top three at the Mid-America Oireachtas, top 10 at the North American Irish Dance Championships, and achieved recall at the World Championships. He has always been passionate about delivering the best performance possible, and this passion ignited into a professional career in dance at the age of 17. He has performed with shows such as The American Company of Irish Dance and studio2stage, as dance captain and lead understudy in Rhythm In The Night & Carol of the King, and as the lead role of the priest in the International premiere tour of Romeo & Juliet this past summer. Myles works with many local companies choreographing in the styles of Irish, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz styles.