Background

Mrs. Sara was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where she began taking dance classes at the young age of 2 and a half. Over the next 8 years she took classes in ballet, tap, and jazz (modern & pointe). By the age of 10 she was accepted into the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center where she trained in classical ballet. The following year she met a few Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She also got a “sneak peek” at dancers rehearsing for the infamous show Riverdance. Inspired by them, she made the change from pointe shoes to ghillies. She started her Irish Dancing career at the age of 11 under the direction of Sheila Butler Duffy ADCRG and Myra Watters ADCRG at the Butler School of Irish Dancing. She competed several times at the Southern Region Oireachtas, the North American Championships, and The All-Ireland Championships. Sara taught

alongside Mrs. Sheila with dancers ranging from age 5 to adult including ceili (team) dancing. In 2011, she finished her Irish dancing career with the McGinley Academy of Irish Dance under the direction of Eileen McGinley Watson ADCRG. She went on to be a co-teacher for the Watters School of Irish Dancing with Myra Watters ADCRG. Sara is married to her husband, Jon. They have a daughter named Claire.

Education/Certification:

Trained in classical ballet at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

​Acquired her TCRG certification in August 2016

Achievements

Sara obtained the highest level in Irish Dancing (Open Championships).

She was a three time world qualifier for Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne.

Sara is CPR and AED certified with the American Heart Association.

Activities

Sara currently sits on the selection committee for the IDTANA Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship Program. She loves spending time with her husband and daughter.