Meet Mary Youssi, TCRG & Elyse Transon, TCRG
Elyse Transon started dancing at the age of 5, competing at both the National and International level as a soloist and team dancer. She began her professional career after college with Michael Londra's show Celtic Fire. Elyse has performed in eight countries with multiple companies including Gaelforce Dance, Disney's Raglan Road, Women of Ireland, the Young Irelanders, Irish Dance Theatre, the American Company of Irish Dance, to Dance on the Moon, Magic of Ireland and Rhythm in the Night as a company dancer, principal dancer, dance captain, choreographer and tour manager.
Elyse also has a passion for teaching. In 2014 she obtained her TCRG and started the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company which eventually led her to open her own studio - the Milwaukee Academy of Irish dance! Outside of her home state, Elyse has taught workshops, led demonstrations and talks all over the United States, Zambia, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Columbia and Costa Rica. It was through teaching that Elyse had the privilege of meeting her teaching counterpart Mary! In addition to Irish dancing, Elyse dances with other professional dance groups in the Milwaukee area and works as a Sales and Training Representative for the computer company Lenovo.
_
Mary began Irish Dance in 1998. She competed for 11 years, excelling in the Open Championship level and placing well regionally, nationally, and internationally in ceili, choreography, and solo competitions. Mary has been an Irish Dance Instructor since 2011 and earned her TCRG from CLRG in 2017. Mary enjoys teaching dancer of all ages and levels and has a particular passion for helping dancers advance to the next level of competition, whether it be Beginner II or Open Championship. She is goal-driven and organized, balancing out Elyse's creative, artistic genius. When not teaching dance, Mary works as an attorney doing Medical Malpractice Defense, General Liability Defense, and Adult Guardianship. You can also find her spending time with her husband Jobe and baby Conor, performing with the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company, attending Lakewood Baptist Church, or petting cats at Sip and Purr Cat Café.
Elyse also has a passion for teaching. In 2014 she obtained her TCRG and started the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company which eventually led her to open her own studio - the Milwaukee Academy of Irish dance! Outside of her home state, Elyse has taught workshops, led demonstrations and talks all over the United States, Zambia, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Columbia and Costa Rica. It was through teaching that Elyse had the privilege of meeting her teaching counterpart Mary! In addition to Irish dancing, Elyse dances with other professional dance groups in the Milwaukee area and works as a Sales and Training Representative for the computer company Lenovo.
_
Mary began Irish Dance in 1998. She competed for 11 years, excelling in the Open Championship level and placing well regionally, nationally, and internationally in ceili, choreography, and solo competitions. Mary has been an Irish Dance Instructor since 2011 and earned her TCRG from CLRG in 2017. Mary enjoys teaching dancer of all ages and levels and has a particular passion for helping dancers advance to the next level of competition, whether it be Beginner II or Open Championship. She is goal-driven and organized, balancing out Elyse's creative, artistic genius. When not teaching dance, Mary works as an attorney doing Medical Malpractice Defense, General Liability Defense, and Adult Guardianship. You can also find her spending time with her husband Jobe and baby Conor, performing with the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company, attending Lakewood Baptist Church, or petting cats at Sip and Purr Cat Café.
Amanda Krasowski
Amanda Krasowski took her first Irish Dance class over 20 years ago at the Murphy Irish Arts Center in Cleveland, OH. She is currently studying and working through exams with the goal of obtaining her TCRG.
Amanda competed primarily in team dances at the Mid-America Regional, North American National, and World Championships of Irish dancing. Figure choreography and Dance Drama were the staples of her competitive dance career. Throughout high school and college, Amanda dabbled in other forms of dance (contemporary, jazz, and tap) and performed in musicals at a local community theater. She was also a member of the Ohio State Irish Dance team while she completed her degree in Electrical Engineering. Amanda moved to Milwaukee in 2016 and joined the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company a year later. Her notable MIDC performances include RAW at The Rave, the Get it Out There series with Danceworks, Season to Celebrate on Channel 12 news, NO Studios Dance Fest with Alvin Ailey, several wedding performances (including her own!), duets at Ashlings on the Lough, solos with Paddygrass, and many MIDC video and photo shoots. Amanda has been featured in performances at Irish Fest with artists such as Socks in the Frying Pan, Shreem, the Elders, and JigJam. She has performed the lead role as a part of two tours with Christmas with the Celts; recently, she also was the lead coordinator for the company across 8 shows in 4 different theaters. Additionally, she was a featured soloist for the Rise Up piece (choreographed by Elyse Transon) at the AFSP Milwaukee walk, NO Studios Dance Fest, MIDC Rise Up video, and the Get it Out There showcase. Amanda loves to bring the energy at MIDC's monthly Irish in Shape event at City Lights Brewery and MKE Brewing Co! Amanda is a Software Product Manager at Rockwell Automation's HQ. She lives in the city with her spouse, Joseph, and her insanely adorable pup, Ivy. |
Celeste Kulla
Growing up watching Riverdance on repeat at home, she had her dream set and at the age of five, Celeste started her dancing career with Cashel Dennehy. She very quickly found herself on many solo and team trips to Oireachtas and Nationals. After many years with Cashel, Celeste moved to Kinsella Academy where she spent another couple years dancing until her life moved her around the country.
After two very serious dancing injuries, Celeste's competitive career was over, and dancing was put on hold. While rehabilitating, Celeste was able to use her experience teaching dance and tutoring young dancers in their careers. While living in South Korea, Celeste was the ambassador for the Cambodian National Dance Team and traveled with them on tour before returning back to the states. After moving back to Wisconsin, Celeste discovered the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company and without hesitation had to be a part of it. Being a part of a full-on performance company with so many ladies who have become some of her closest friends, and dancing again after she never thought she would be able to, has been life changing. She wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Outside of dance, Celeste is constantly on the move. In addition to Milwaukee Academy, she works as an Event Coordinator for Dead Bird Brewery and a Dance Instructor for Schauer Center for the Arts in Hartford. She also finds herself as a photographer, lettering artist, and crisis counselor. |