Sue Fay Healy, TCRG, ADCRG
Sue moved from Dublin, Ireland in 1989 with her husband and three young children. She opened her first dance school in Barrhaven in the basement of her house with five dancers.
Sue traveled throughout Europe in her teens performing at different festivals with a Celtic Dance Company. She competed at all levels of dance progressing to the World Championship level, placing at all major competitions in Lenister, All Irelands and World Championships.
Sue has over 30 years experience as a qualified Irish Dance teacher. She has learned a great deal from her years of teaching and thoroughly enjoys it. She is, in addition, an Adjudicator of the dance and travels to Feiseana (Irish Dance competitions) throughout North America. She has also adjudicated at major competitions around the world including the All-Irelands and the World Championships. Most recently she judged at the 2011 World Championships in Dublin. To see an interview Sue gave while at Worlds click here.
Sue was the Co-Chair, with Bernadette Short of Montreal, of the 2006 Eastern Canadian Oireachtas held in Ottawa in November of 2006. She was also the Chair of the 2007 North American Championships in July 2007. Between these two events, the Ottawa area hosted 5000 dancers and their families from all over the world.
Sue traveled throughout Europe in her teens performing at different festivals with a Celtic Dance Company. She competed at all levels of dance progressing to the World Championship level, placing at all major competitions in Lenister, All Irelands and World Championships.
Sue has over 30 years experience as a qualified Irish Dance teacher. She has learned a great deal from her years of teaching and thoroughly enjoys it. She is, in addition, an Adjudicator of the dance and travels to Feiseana (Irish Dance competitions) throughout North America. She has also adjudicated at major competitions around the world including the All-Irelands and the World Championships. Most recently she judged at the 2011 World Championships in Dublin. To see an interview Sue gave while at Worlds click here.
Sue was the Co-Chair, with Bernadette Short of Montreal, of the 2006 Eastern Canadian Oireachtas held in Ottawa in November of 2006. She was also the Chair of the 2007 North American Championships in July 2007. Between these two events, the Ottawa area hosted 5000 dancers and their families from all over the world.
Jennifer Healy, TCRG, ADCRG
Jennifer has danced since she took her first steps. Jennifer is a highly accomplished dancer and teacher of the dance. She is a talented choreographer with a wide base of experience, dancing in shows that have toured the world. Jennifer danced with the Rhythm of the Dance and Celtic Legends, touring throughout Europe. And Gaelforce, touring South Korea.
She was chosen to appear in the Riverdance production performed for the Special Olympics in 2003. Since that time, she has been with the “Boyne” company of the Riverdance touring show, dancing and singing in the production as well as involved in the backstage audio elements of the show. With this company, she has literally been around the globe.
In 2010, Jennifer completed the demanding Irish Dance teacher’s certification exams and in 2013 she completed the even more demanding Adjudicators exam.
She was chosen to appear in the Riverdance production performed for the Special Olympics in 2003. Since that time, she has been with the “Boyne” company of the Riverdance touring show, dancing and singing in the production as well as involved in the backstage audio elements of the show. With this company, she has literally been around the globe.
In 2010, Jennifer completed the demanding Irish Dance teacher’s certification exams and in 2013 she completed the even more demanding Adjudicators exam.
Shannon Murphy - Junior Teacher
Shannon has been involved in Irish dancing since the age of 8 when she first saw and fell in love with the fast footwork and sparkly dresses! She joined SFH in 2011 and quickly flew up the ranks. Shannon has competed at
8 Regional Oireachtas Championships and 4 North American National Championships. She has travelled all throughout North America - competing in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Nova Scotia, Ohio, New York, New Orleans, Orlando and more! Shannon had the distinct honour of representing the studio as the 'SFH Irish Dance Studio Rose' in the 2019 Ottawa Rose of Tralee Selection Events. Although recently retired from competition, Shannon continues to spread her love and knowledge of dancing to the next generation of dancers. Shannon has been teaching classes in Orleans for 2 years, and is often found manning the front desk at SFH on Saturdays. She is a Carleton University Alumni with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and currently teaches ballroom and latin dancing full-time.
8 Regional Oireachtas Championships and 4 North American National Championships. She has travelled all throughout North America - competing in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Nova Scotia, Ohio, New York, New Orleans, Orlando and more! Shannon had the distinct honour of representing the studio as the 'SFH Irish Dance Studio Rose' in the 2019 Ottawa Rose of Tralee Selection Events. Although recently retired from competition, Shannon continues to spread her love and knowledge of dancing to the next generation of dancers. Shannon has been teaching classes in Orleans for 2 years, and is often found manning the front desk at SFH on Saturdays. She is a Carleton University Alumni with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and currently teaches ballroom and latin dancing full-time.
Fiona Reynolds - Junior Teacher
Fiona has been dancing with SFH since she was 4 years old. Her love for dance, hard work and positive attitude has earned her many accomplishments in dance. She has been a Regional Oireachtas Champion twice and consistently places in the Top 5. She has qualified for the World Irish Dance Championships 9 times and has traveled to Ireland, London, Scotland and various cities in the USA and Canada to compete. She has also attended the North American Championships since the age of 7 and her highest placement was 3rd. Fiona loves to work with children and loves helping out at the dance studio. She is working towards getting her TCRG by completing her Grade exams. She has also been an Irish Dance Camp Counsellor at the prestigious camp 'Reels in the Rockies' located outside of Calgary and will be returning to the position again this summer. Outside of dance Fiona is a student at the University of Ottawa and is studying Political Science.
Ainsley Smith- Junior Teacher
Ainsley Smith has been with SFH Irish Dance Studio since she started dancing at the age of five. Under the direction of Sue and Jen, dancing soon became her passion. She began to feis as a beginner and caught the “competition bug” early. Loving to travel with dance friends and challenge herself by setting dance goals, Ainsley has placed top ten for the past 9 years at our Regional Oireachtas. She is currently 9th in North America and is a 7 time World Qualifier. In 2019 she achieved a recall medal from the World Irish Dance Championships! Ainsley has traveled to England, Ireland, Scotland, and many States in the US for dance. She also participates in ceili competitions. Her team has placed in the top 3 for many years and in 2015, they placed 12th in the World! Ainsley will continue to compete, as well as share her knowledge and encourage younger dancers!
