Sue grew up in Avon and Wilton, CT, where she was a musician (clarinet, flute, and bass guitar) in the
jazz, concert, and symphonic bands, also performing in numerous pit orchestras for high school and
community musicals and shows. Sue began her dancing career while at Wesleyan University, where she
joined a Scottish dancing group and also began taking Highland Dance lessons. Recruited for a
performance group, she was a frequent soloist with her Highland Dancing. Within a year, she added
Irish Step Dancing to her studies, training at the Griffith Academy of Wethersfield. While completing
her PhD in medieval history at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, she continued her Irish
Dance studies with Brian Frain and later the Coyle School of Irish Dance. She worked her way up to
competitive championship level and qualified for the World Championships. In 1993, Sue moved back
to Connecticut and began studying with the O’Connell Academy in Stamford. For over five years,
Sue taught and choreographed for the O’Connell Academy, preparing students from beginner through
championship levels. She was on the faculty at Connecticut Ballet Center
from 1998-2003,
and from 1999-2002, Sue was a member of
the faculty at Wilton Dance Studio.
In January 2000, Sue passed the Irish Dance Instructor certification exam (T.C.R.G.), given by an
examination board from Dublin, Ireland. She also became a featured dancer of the
Irish concert and performance troupe "Themselves".
In summer 2000, she joined the faculty at Connecticut Dance! in Monroe. In
summer 2002, Sue began teaching at 12 Old Mill Road in Georgetown, and in
September she opened the Millennium School of Irish Dance studio at that
location.
Sue believes her early training as a musician strengthens her understanding of music and enhances her love of dancing. Most importantly, she credits her parents for encouraging musical and dance interests in their children: her middle brother is a percussionist, and her younger brother is a ballroom dance instructor.
Teaching experience
- Beginner classes for children ages 6 and up
- Advanced beginner classes for students with previous dance experience
- Classes specially geared towards boys
- Various intermediate-level classes based on age and ability
- Technique classes for hard shoe
- Classes for prize-winning and championship-level dancers
- Adult classes for solo and group dancing
- Solo and group choreography for competition and performance
- Workshops and special one-time classes for any level—dancers or non-dancers
- Private lessons
