Meighan holds a BS in theater from Northwestern University and became a certified Irish dancing teacher, or TCRG, in 1999. Since founding the Inis Cairde School of Irish Dance that same year, her program has grown from its fledgling start of about 35 students to being one of the most respected competitive schools in the southeast.

 

With nearly 20 years of experience teaching Irish dancing, Meighan’s passion for nurturing children through the world of competitive Irish dancing is paralleled only by her knowledge of sport itself. As the only certified Irish dancing adjudicator (ADCRG) in the state of North Carolina, she travels frequently to judge throughout North America, bringing home even more insight into this continually evolving art form.

 

In solos class (or individual dancing), Meighan devotes her time to developing positive, constructive working relationships with each of her students, tailoring her teaching style to each dancer’s personality. Her unique connection with each of her students inspires them not only to test their own limits in dance, but to celebrate their individual victories, and those of their peers. Meighan has a particular affinity for competitive teams, or group, dancing, not only because of the required precision involved, but because of the collaborative work, communication skills and cohesive effort required to achieve it.

 

Respected by her colleagues, Meighan has served as her region’s representative to the Ethics Board of the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA), and has served four terms on the IDTANA-Southern Region Executive Board. Locally, Meighan has appeared as a guest lecturer on the history of Irish dancing in NC State’s music program, and has choreographed for the Burning Coal Theater Company.

When she’s not teaching, traveling, or spending valuable time with her husband and two very energetic sons, Meighan loves to be out in her garden, covered with dirt, and hopes to pursue a certificate in Horticulture from NC State.