Hooley Staff
Qualifications and certifications
CLEARANCES AND BACKGROUND CHECKS
All Hooley employees, including TCRGs, Assistant teachers, and office staff, have their clearances and background checks updated every 3 years.
CPR CERTIFIED
All primary teachers at Hooley School are certified in CPR through the American Red Cross.
GRADE EXAMS
All Assistant Teachers have passed the Irish Dance Grade exams through CLRG for the levels that they teach.
T.C.R.G. (Gaelic Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha)
Hooley School has 4 registered TCRGs. This means they have passed a 3 day rigorous examination through CLRG which certifies them to independently teach and oversee all levels for solo, ceili, and competitive dancing. To even qualify for this exam they must first pass all 12 Grade Exams over a several year period. The TCRG examination itself has 5 sections and all sections must receive a passing grade from a panel of 3 examiners: written ceili dancing, music exam, solo teaching, ceili teaching, and personal dancing.
A.D.C.R.G.
Crystal Carper is additionally an ADCRG, meaning she is certified to judge Irish dance competitions. The ADCRG is a 3 day exam with 5 sections: written ceili dancing, music exam, written test on adding and transcribing marks and determining places from marks and operating the official points system (math exam), and practical test in adjudicating of stepdancing and ceili dancing along with an interview by a panel of 3 examiners.
CLRG / IDTANA/ MID-ATLANTIC USA / SOUTHERN REGION USA
Hooley School and its teachers are registered with CLRG (An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland) and IDTANA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America), as well as the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Region, USA.
All Hooley employees, including TCRGs, Assistant teachers, and office staff, have their clearances and background checks updated every 3 years.
CPR CERTIFIED
All primary teachers at Hooley School are certified in CPR through the American Red Cross.
GRADE EXAMS
All Assistant Teachers have passed the Irish Dance Grade exams through CLRG for the levels that they teach.
T.C.R.G. (Gaelic Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha)
Hooley School has 4 registered TCRGs. This means they have passed a 3 day rigorous examination through CLRG which certifies them to independently teach and oversee all levels for solo, ceili, and competitive dancing. To even qualify for this exam they must first pass all 12 Grade Exams over a several year period. The TCRG examination itself has 5 sections and all sections must receive a passing grade from a panel of 3 examiners: written ceili dancing, music exam, solo teaching, ceili teaching, and personal dancing.
A.D.C.R.G.
Crystal Carper is additionally an ADCRG, meaning she is certified to judge Irish dance competitions. The ADCRG is a 3 day exam with 5 sections: written ceili dancing, music exam, written test on adding and transcribing marks and determining places from marks and operating the official points system (math exam), and practical test in adjudicating of stepdancing and ceili dancing along with an interview by a panel of 3 examiners.
CLRG / IDTANA/ MID-ATLANTIC USA / SOUTHERN REGION USA
Hooley School and its teachers are registered with CLRG (An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland) and IDTANA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America), as well as the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Region, USA.
Crystal Glick Carper, ADCRG, School Owner
Crystal was raised in Lancaster County and began Irish Dancing with the Coyle School of Irish Dance when she was 12 years old. Although from a Pennsylvania Dutch background, she quickly became enthralled with the Irish culture and traditions and clung to the little bit of Irish heritage she does have, "Hooley." She was especially attracted to the competitive nature of Irish Dance feisianna (competitions), and practiced intensely to compete on a Regional and National level in Open Championships.
Crystal gained valuable experience teaching Irish Dance when she moved to Russia for YWAM (Youth With A Mission), where she helped to organize community outreach programs, often using Irish Dance to get the youth involved in positive directions. When she returned to the U.S. and retired from competing in 2006, it became her goal to bring the first Irish Dance school to her hometown in Lancaster County.
As part of her training to become a dance instructor, she moved to Minnesota and trained with Scoil na d'Tri under the direction of TCRG Brenda Buckley (R.I.P.). Crystal passed the rigorous TCRG exam in 2008 and was certified through An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha – CLRG in Dublin, Ireland, as an Irish Dance instructor. She officially opened the Hooley School of Irish Dance in January 2009. Crystal is dedicated to helping her students set goals and achieve them. She frequently attends feis and has helped dozens of dancers reach Championships in the ten years since Hooley School was formed. Additionally, she has helped many dancers qualify for the World Championships.
Crystal passed her ADCRG examinations in 2016. She also currently sits on the selection committee for the IDTANA Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship Program.
Crystal is a former member of the PA Air National Guard, where she served as a Technical Sergeant in Emergency Management. She earned a B.A. in English Education from Millersville University. Crystal is married to Matt Carper, her sweetheart who learned how to Irish dance for their wedding! Crystal and Matt have a daughter, Aslyn.
You can reach Crystal at: Crystal@hooleyirishdance.com
Crystal was raised in Lancaster County and began Irish Dancing with the Coyle School of Irish Dance when she was 12 years old. Although from a Pennsylvania Dutch background, she quickly became enthralled with the Irish culture and traditions and clung to the little bit of Irish heritage she does have, "Hooley." She was especially attracted to the competitive nature of Irish Dance feisianna (competitions), and practiced intensely to compete on a Regional and National level in Open Championships.
Crystal gained valuable experience teaching Irish Dance when she moved to Russia for YWAM (Youth With A Mission), where she helped to organize community outreach programs, often using Irish Dance to get the youth involved in positive directions. When she returned to the U.S. and retired from competing in 2006, it became her goal to bring the first Irish Dance school to her hometown in Lancaster County.
As part of her training to become a dance instructor, she moved to Minnesota and trained with Scoil na d'Tri under the direction of TCRG Brenda Buckley (R.I.P.). Crystal passed the rigorous TCRG exam in 2008 and was certified through An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha – CLRG in Dublin, Ireland, as an Irish Dance instructor. She officially opened the Hooley School of Irish Dance in January 2009. Crystal is dedicated to helping her students set goals and achieve them. She frequently attends feis and has helped dozens of dancers reach Championships in the ten years since Hooley School was formed. Additionally, she has helped many dancers qualify for the World Championships.
Crystal passed her ADCRG examinations in 2016. She also currently sits on the selection committee for the IDTANA Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship Program.
Crystal is a former member of the PA Air National Guard, where she served as a Technical Sergeant in Emergency Management. She earned a B.A. in English Education from Millersville University. Crystal is married to Matt Carper, her sweetheart who learned how to Irish dance for their wedding! Crystal and Matt have a daughter, Aslyn.
You can reach Crystal at: Crystal@hooleyirishdance.com
Angelina Glick Press, TCRG
Angelina began dancing when she was 4 years old. When Crystal became a certified instructor in 2008, she picked up dancing under her sister's direction. She moved into the top competitive level of Open Championships in 2011 and went on to compete in the 2013 and 2014 World Championships. Her achievements include 18th Place at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in Senior Ladies, 27th Place at the North American Championships, and 1st Place in Open Championships at the Nation's Capital Feis in 2013 and Feis at the Beach in 2014. Angelina passed her TCRG examinations in May 2015. In addition to teaching classes at the Brownstown location, Angelina directs a Hooley branch at Body Zone in Wyomissing on Wednesday nights.
Apart from dancing, Angelina is a loving mother to her two adorable daughters, Ember & Becca, and is the director at Ephrata Martial Arts where her husband, Justin, teaches the classes. She enjoys teaching the 3-7 year olds with Justin, as well as attending his kickboxing classes. She also loves sewing late at night to create coordinating outfits for her girls and her niece, Aslyn. You can reach Angelina at: Angelina@hooleyirishdance.com
Angelina began dancing when she was 4 years old. When Crystal became a certified instructor in 2008, she picked up dancing under her sister's direction. She moved into the top competitive level of Open Championships in 2011 and went on to compete in the 2013 and 2014 World Championships. Her achievements include 18th Place at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in Senior Ladies, 27th Place at the North American Championships, and 1st Place in Open Championships at the Nation's Capital Feis in 2013 and Feis at the Beach in 2014. Angelina passed her TCRG examinations in May 2015. In addition to teaching classes at the Brownstown location, Angelina directs a Hooley branch at Body Zone in Wyomissing on Wednesday nights.
Apart from dancing, Angelina is a loving mother to her two adorable daughters, Ember & Becca, and is the director at Ephrata Martial Arts where her husband, Justin, teaches the classes. She enjoys teaching the 3-7 year olds with Justin, as well as attending his kickboxing classes. She also loves sewing late at night to create coordinating outfits for her girls and her niece, Aslyn. You can reach Angelina at: Angelina@hooleyirishdance.com
Sara Locke, TCRG
Mrs. Sara was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where she began taking dance classes at the young age of 2 and a half. For 8 years she took classes in ballet and tap, eventually adding jazz, modern and pointe to her weekly dance schedule. By the age of 10 she was accepted into the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for a pristine spot in the classical ballet training program. The following year while on a family trip to New York City, she visited the Radio City Music Hall and had the opportunity to meet some of the Rockettes. During this time, she was also lucky enough to have a “sneak peek” at dancers rehearsing for the infamous show Riverdance. This was so inspirational for her that she was instantly hooked. From that point on she forever made the change from pointe shoes to ghilles.
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. During this time she competed several times at the Southern Region Oireachtas, the North American Championships, The All-Ireland Championships, and was a three time world qualifier for Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne. Throughout this journey Mrs. Sara obtained the highest level in Irish Dancing, Open Championships. Along with competing regularly, she also taught alongside Mrs. Sheila with dancers ranging from ages 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. At this time, she was able to co-teach with dancers ranging from ages 3 to young adults. Along with teaching solos, Mrs. Sara’s passion is for ceili dancing.
Since retiring from competitive Irish Dancing, she remained active within the dance community by helping co-teach for the Watters School of Irish Dancing with Myra Watters ADCRG while preparing to sit the TCRG exam. In August 2016 she acquired her TCRG certification. This meant that she was now a fully qualified teacher, certified and registered with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland and IDTANA.
Mrs. Sara, with that continued Irish dancing passion, decided to further her involvement in the Irish dancing community by opening her own Irish Dancing school in Tampa, FL. Though Mrs. Sara’s school was successful her and her husband Jon made a difficult decision to relocate to PA. Both are looking forward to making PA a place they call home.
She is also CPR & AED certified with the American Heart Association. She also currently sits on the selection committee for the IDTANA Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship Program.
Mrs. Sara is excited to join the Hooley School and looks forward to passing her love of culture and dancing on to her students. They say, “find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
You can reach Sara at: sara@hooleyirishdance.com
Mrs. Sara was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where she began taking dance classes at the young age of 2 and a half. For 8 years she took classes in ballet and tap, eventually adding jazz, modern and pointe to her weekly dance schedule. By the age of 10 she was accepted into the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for a pristine spot in the classical ballet training program. The following year while on a family trip to New York City, she visited the Radio City Music Hall and had the opportunity to meet some of the Rockettes. During this time, she was also lucky enough to have a “sneak peek” at dancers rehearsing for the infamous show Riverdance. This was so inspirational for her that she was instantly hooked. From that point on she forever made the change from pointe shoes to ghilles.
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. During this time she competed several times at the Southern Region Oireachtas, the North American Championships, The All-Ireland Championships, and was a three time world qualifier for Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne. Throughout this journey Mrs. Sara obtained the highest level in Irish Dancing, Open Championships. Along with competing regularly, she also taught alongside Mrs. Sheila with dancers ranging from ages 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. At this time, she was able to co-teach with dancers ranging from ages 3 to young adults. Along with teaching solos, Mrs. Sara’s passion is for ceili dancing.
Since retiring from competitive Irish Dancing, she remained active within the dance community by helping co-teach for the Watters School of Irish Dancing with Myra Watters ADCRG while preparing to sit the TCRG exam. In August 2016 she acquired her TCRG certification. This meant that she was now a fully qualified teacher, certified and registered with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland and IDTANA.
Mrs. Sara, with that continued Irish dancing passion, decided to further her involvement in the Irish dancing community by opening her own Irish Dancing school in Tampa, FL. Though Mrs. Sara’s school was successful her and her husband Jon made a difficult decision to relocate to PA. Both are looking forward to making PA a place they call home.
She is also CPR & AED certified with the American Heart Association. She also currently sits on the selection committee for the IDTANA Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship Program.
Mrs. Sara is excited to join the Hooley School and looks forward to passing her love of culture and dancing on to her students. They say, “find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
You can reach Sara at: sara@hooleyirishdance.com
Gretchen Weidler, TCRG
Gretchen Weidler began dancing in 2001 under Crystal Glick-Carper’s instruction. She spent eight years dancing non-competitively until Carper became certified through CLRG in 2009. That year, Gretchen was among the first students to compete under Crystal’s newly certified school - the Hooley School of Irish Dance. The following year, she became the first Hooley student to reach the top level of Irish dance, Open Championships. She went on to compete as both a solo and team dancer at the regional, national, and world championships, and was the first girl from Hooley to place in the top 10 in the region.
After graduating from Warwick High School in 2015, Gretchen retired from competitive dancing. While in college, she pursued her dream of becoming a certified teacher. She passed the TCRG exam in 2017 and became certified through An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG). In December 2018, Gretchen graduated from Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences with an associate’s degree in nursing. She is currently employed at Lancaster General Hospital as a registered nurse while pursuing her bachelor’s degree and teaching part time at Hooley. Her favorite parts of teaching are getting to know her dancers and choreographing new material. Outside of dance, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, being involved in her church, and spending time with her husband, Logan. Gretchen married him in September 2019 and they enjoyed a fabulous Irish dance together at the wedding, which you can watch here! You can reach Gretchen at: gretchen@hooleyirishdance.com
Gretchen Weidler began dancing in 2001 under Crystal Glick-Carper’s instruction. She spent eight years dancing non-competitively until Carper became certified through CLRG in 2009. That year, Gretchen was among the first students to compete under Crystal’s newly certified school - the Hooley School of Irish Dance. The following year, she became the first Hooley student to reach the top level of Irish dance, Open Championships. She went on to compete as both a solo and team dancer at the regional, national, and world championships, and was the first girl from Hooley to place in the top 10 in the region.
After graduating from Warwick High School in 2015, Gretchen retired from competitive dancing. While in college, she pursued her dream of becoming a certified teacher. She passed the TCRG exam in 2017 and became certified through An Comisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG). In December 2018, Gretchen graduated from Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences with an associate’s degree in nursing. She is currently employed at Lancaster General Hospital as a registered nurse while pursuing her bachelor’s degree and teaching part time at Hooley. Her favorite parts of teaching are getting to know her dancers and choreographing new material. Outside of dance, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, being involved in her church, and spending time with her husband, Logan. Gretchen married him in September 2019 and they enjoyed a fabulous Irish dance together at the wedding, which you can watch here! You can reach Gretchen at: gretchen@hooleyirishdance.com
ASSISTANT TEACHERS
Faith Irwin has danced with Hooley school for 10 years and recently ended her years as a competitive dancer to focus on teaching. As a competitive Irish dancer, Faith retired as a Preliminary Champion and had the opportunity to dance at many Regional Championships, the 2017 National Championships with a dance drama she directed, and the 2013 World Championship on an 8hand team. Her most treasured achievement was winning 1st place in Traditional Set at the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships. Some other highlights were being Hooley’s first beginner competitor, sewing her own solo dresses, choreographing many showcase dances, and becoming the first Hooley dancer to complete all 12 grade exams (tests to become a TCRG). She is now studying for her TCRG and plans to take it in the near future.
Outside of dance, she is a lifetime Girl Scout and achieved the highest award, her Gold Award. She is a part-time student at Millersville University studying her passion of preforming arts and entertainment technology. She works hard to balance dance, school, and a chronic illness she lives with. Dystonia, a neuromuscular disease, has a big impact on the way Faith faces life. She takes on life’s challenges with determination and faith and hopes to use her experiences to teach dancers how to have grit and face all challenges with a tenacious spirit.
Faith especially enjoys teaching young children, and she did a fabulous job researching and developing our Tiny Toes curriculum. She currently teaches Little Shamrocks, Little Leprechauns, Tir Na Nogs, Beginners, and Advanced Beginners.
You can reach Faith with any questions at: FaithIrwin@hooleyirishdance.com
Outside of dance, she is a lifetime Girl Scout and achieved the highest award, her Gold Award. She is a part-time student at Millersville University studying her passion of preforming arts and entertainment technology. She works hard to balance dance, school, and a chronic illness she lives with. Dystonia, a neuromuscular disease, has a big impact on the way Faith faces life. She takes on life’s challenges with determination and faith and hopes to use her experiences to teach dancers how to have grit and face all challenges with a tenacious spirit.
Faith especially enjoys teaching young children, and she did a fabulous job researching and developing our Tiny Toes curriculum. She currently teaches Little Shamrocks, Little Leprechauns, Tir Na Nogs, Beginners, and Advanced Beginners.
You can reach Faith with any questions at: FaithIrwin@hooleyirishdance.com
Allyson McDaniel attends Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences where she is studying Radiography. She started Irish dancing when she was 8 years old, and became the fourth dancer in the Hooley School to achieve the highest level in Irish dancing, Open Championships. Some of her dance accomplishments include: completing all twelve Grade exams (tests toward becoming a certified instructor), placing 18th at 2018 Regional Oireachtas, placing 63rd at the 2015 North American Championships, dancing on an 8hand team at the 2013 World Championship, and placing 6th at the 2013 Regional Oireachtas on a 4hand team.
Outside of dance, Allyson loves having fun with friends and family, drinking coffee, traveling, and being involved with activities at her church. She enjoys working with children and people with special needs.
Allyson currently teaches a Beginner class. She is thrilled to share her passion of Irish dance with her students! You can reach her with any questions at Allyson@hooleyrishdance.com
Outside of dance, Allyson loves having fun with friends and family, drinking coffee, traveling, and being involved with activities at her church. She enjoys working with children and people with special needs.
Allyson currently teaches a Beginner class. She is thrilled to share her passion of Irish dance with her students! You can reach her with any questions at Allyson@hooleyrishdance.com
Savana Martin became interested in Irish dance after watching a performance, and she started dancing when she was eight years old. Savana enjoys being home schooled, going to church, reading, horseback riding, outdoor activities and running her pet sitting business. She is currently in Open Championships and loves performing and competing. She is excited to teach others this wonderful sport! Savana currently teachers our Adult Intermediate Class, and you can reach her with any questions at: Savana@hooleyirishdance.com
CLASS MENTORS
Olivia Raff, Maura Hogan, Bella Carper, Emily Stauffer, Alexis Kepley, Claire Hinkle, Katie Ulmer
OTHER SCHOOL OWNERS
Matthew Carper, School Owner
Matt was introduced to Irish dancing a month after he started dating his wife, Crystal. She took him on a date to Celtic Fling Feis, and he quickly became involved in improving her business. Two years later, he proposed to Crystal at Celtic Fling Feis, and they got married two years after that.
Matt's current role at Hooley School is Special Projects Manager. He oversaw the facility use contracts and the new floor design and construction for the relocation to Akron in 2010. From 2014 through 2016 he was project manager for the relocation process that resulted in the site development and construction of our new dance studio in the town square of Brownstown (Leola). Additional roles include facility maintenance and upgrades, administrative process improvements, and strategic planning.
Matt is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently employed by Case New Holland Industrial as a Product Quality Specialist for hay and forage equipment. Previously, he worked at Honda of America Manufacturing in Ohio for 5 years, before moving to Lancaster County to help make the Hooley School dream become a reality.
When he isn’t working, Matt’s favorite hobbies are snowboarding and automotive racing. He was formerly an AASI certified snowboard instructor, but now just rides for fun. Currently, he races his Honda S2000 in autocross competitions sanctioned by the SCCA, with plans to progress into track racing in Formula Vee. His favorite inspirational quote: “fail often to succeed sooner!”
Matt was introduced to Irish dancing a month after he started dating his wife, Crystal. She took him on a date to Celtic Fling Feis, and he quickly became involved in improving her business. Two years later, he proposed to Crystal at Celtic Fling Feis, and they got married two years after that.
Matt's current role at Hooley School is Special Projects Manager. He oversaw the facility use contracts and the new floor design and construction for the relocation to Akron in 2010. From 2014 through 2016 he was project manager for the relocation process that resulted in the site development and construction of our new dance studio in the town square of Brownstown (Leola). Additional roles include facility maintenance and upgrades, administrative process improvements, and strategic planning.
Matt is a 2009 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently employed by Case New Holland Industrial as a Product Quality Specialist for hay and forage equipment. Previously, he worked at Honda of America Manufacturing in Ohio for 5 years, before moving to Lancaster County to help make the Hooley School dream become a reality.
When he isn’t working, Matt’s favorite hobbies are snowboarding and automotive racing. He was formerly an AASI certified snowboard instructor, but now just rides for fun. Currently, he races his Honda S2000 in autocross competitions sanctioned by the SCCA, with plans to progress into track racing in Formula Vee. His favorite inspirational quote: “fail often to succeed sooner!”