Our Director
Mary Laffey Beemsterboer, TCRG
Mary began her Irish dancing career at the early age of 5. Competing for over 18 years, Mary had an illustrious competitive career and retired in 1989 after dancing at the World Championships of Irish Dance in Ireland. At that time, Mary assumed ownership, directorship and artistic control of The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance. In 1991 Mary received her official teaching certification (TCRG) from An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha.
Under Mary’s direction, The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance has grown from a school of less than 20 dancers in 1989 to over more than 100 dancers today, becoming Dayton’s premier Irish dance school. Her guidance and teaching ability has led the Celtic Academy to repeatedly place at local competitions, the Regional Championships, the National Championships, and qualify solo and team dancers for the World Championships, successfully placing teams & soloists at this highest level of competition. Her artistic creativity is best reflected through the numerous productions she has choreographed over the years, to include the development of dance routines for plays and the Celtic Academy’s own “Celtic Movements.”
Mary’s devotion to the Irish culture and dance began at an early age. Her enthusiasm and dedication to this unique art form shows in the pride she has for her dancers and the groups she supports. Mary holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Wright State University, is a member of the Irish Dance Teacher’s Association of Mid-America, Irish Dance Teacher’s Association of North America, An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, United Irish of Dayton and The Dayton Feis. She was named Daytonian of the Week by Dayton.com. Mary attributes her success to the support from her Mother, Earlyne Laffey, husband, Dan Beemsterboer, sister, Laureen Laffey, as well as her family, friends, dance parents and dancers.
Our Assistant Teachers
Anna Bumiller Boman
Anna Bumiller Boman has been an enthusiastic Celtic Academy dancer for 18 years, and currently competes at the Open Championship level. Anna has a special talent for powerful, rhythmic hard shoe dancing and loves to perform anywhere, anytime. She has also competed at many regional Oireachtasi and North American Irish Dance Championships over the years, as well as the All-Ireland National Championships and the NAFC Senior Belt competition.
Anna’s favorite parts of competing are traveling with her mom, Linda (also a CA dancer), seeing new places, and spending time with her extended dance family—as well as helping her students overcome their own competitive challenges. Anna is committed to the welcoming atmosphere of the Celtic Academy and to helping dancers of all ages reach their full potential.
Anna holds a B.M. in Music Education from UD, and a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She teaches orchestra at Kettering City Schools, maintains a private cello teaching studio, and performs throughout the Dayton area. When not dancing or teaching, Anna also enjoys playing Irish fiddle music, hanging out with her husband, Craig, and camping, hiking, and kayaking in the wilds of northern Ontario.
Lauren Brenneman Stoddard
Lauren Brenneman began her dancing career with the Celtic Academy of Irish Dance over 20 years ago. As a youth dancer Lauren worked her way up the ranks and ended her youth dancing career at the level of Open Championships. At the age of 16 Lauren began assistant teaching for the youth group, under Mary’s guidance. In 2008 Lauren transitioned into the Celtic Academy adult group, where she was part of the three time Mid-America Region champion ceili team. Lauren teaches and choreographs dances for the adults. Her love of dance and the family oriented support to make others reach their goals is what has kept Lauren’s love of Irish dance alive. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in Business Management. Lauren works as a Customer Care Specialist at one of the largest Medicare brokerage companies in Ohio. She attributes her success, both business and personal, to the support and guidance of her family, loved ones and Mary and Laureen Laffey.
Liz Willis
Liz Willis began her dancing career at 5 when she began taking ballet classes. She joined the Celtic Academy at age 15 (and regrets not knowing about Irish dance sooner). After a brief hiatus during college and grad school, Liz returned to the Celtic Academy and began dancing with the adult group when it was under the direction of Laureen Laffey.
During her time with the adult group, Liz has been a member of the ceili team that has won four regional championships and placed in the top three at the national championships. She has been a teaching assistant in the adult group since 2007. Liz became Vice President of FOCA in 2008 and took over the role of President when the position was vacated in 2009.
In addition to her love of Irish dance and the Celtic Academy, Liz is on the Steering Committee of the United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival and the executive boards of the Dayton Ballet Barre and the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association.
Emma Coning
Annemarie Cunningham
Megan Hammond
Emily Sollinger
Our Social Media Team
Neve Monigan (right) and Lizzi Clock (left).
Neve and Lizzi are two of our champion level dancers and do a fantastic job promoting our dancers and activities via our social media pages. Give them a like on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.