Judy DeNapoli, TCRG, ADCRG

Aisling Toal Casey, TCRG

Shaun Casey

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Hello and Welcome to Celtic Steps!  I’m Judy DeNapoli and I began Irish dance lessons as an adult over 15 years ago. After seasons of performance and prizewinner competition, I earned certification as a fully accredited teacher of Irish dancing from An Coimisium le Rinci Gaelacha, Ireland and in 2003 I was very honored to have earned my certification as an adjudicator for  An Coimisium sanctioned Irish Dance competitions. 

I initially taught adult classes with the Colorado Free University.  Some of those adults are still dancing with the school today.  In 1996, Denver hosted the Western Regional Irish dance championships and our first adult team of eight dancers competed.  Back then, our school was then named the Johnson School (my maiden name).  Shortly after Oireachtas, three things quickly happened:  (1) friends in Denver asked me to please begin lessons for children; (2) Lauren Martin (owner of Celtic Merchant) in Colorado Springs contacted me for private lessons and then persuaded me to offer lessons in the Springs, and (3) I got married and became Mrs. Judy DeNapoli!  Somehow, naming the school "The DeNapoli School of Irish Dance" didn't seem quite right…so, "Saint Brendan's School of Irish Dance" was born, named after the patron saint of sailors and possibly the first European to reach the shores of North America in the late 5th century.

The school has grown in size since then, and now has over 200 participating dancers.  In August 2006, after 10 successful years, we embarked on a new phase for the school.  With the addition of two new teachers and classes in Woodland Park and Pueblo, I felt it was the opportune time to update the school's look and present a more modern face to the community.  "Saint Brendan's School of Irish Dance" became "Celtic Steps."  Same tradition of quality and dedication; new attitude!

Hi everyone.  My name is Aisling Toal Casey.  I am 25 years old and I am from Belfast, Northern Ireland.  I started dancing at the tender age of 4 for the Anne Reid School of Irish Dance in Belfast City.  The school was very large and highly competitive which allowed me to take my dance career to a very high level.  I grew up competing on “All-Ireland,” “All-England,” and “World Championship” stages.  I placed in the top 5 in the All-Irelands and top three in the Region over the years. 

Having already received respectable placings at a competitive level, I decided to turn professional.  At 17, I traveled to Dublin where I auditioned for a part in the world famous show, Lord of the Dance, and after four grueling hours I escaped the elimination process and earned myself a spot in the show!  I traveled all over the world for 7 years and matured greatly as a dancer.  I was then offered the lead female role in the show. 

It was while I was touring that I met my husband, Denver-native Shaun Casey.  We were married in July 2006 and retired from the big stage to settle here in Denver.  I am really excited to be teaching at Celtic Steps and continuing my passion for dance.  I hope to take all the Celtic Steps dancers to a new level!

Greetings to everyone and welcome.  I am very excited to start the next phase of my Irish dancing career right here with Celtic Steps.  I have been dancing and competing since I was 10 years old and have always loved the very competitive aspect of Irish Dance.  I studied in Denver my whole competitive career and place first in the Western Region championship 7 times.  I also placed in the top five and the North American championships five times and was very proud to have placed 10^th in the 1998 World Championships. 

In October 1996, I joined Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance – we traveled around the world and performed for over 2 million people.  The schedule was rigorous: six shows a week for the six years I was with the show!  I was honored to be asked to dance each of the two principal male roles and worked hard to stay at the top of my game. 

I learned a lot about Irish dance over the years and I am eager to give a little back to our students at Celtic Steps.  I know Celtic Steps will grow to be recognized as a top school in the United States in the near future!  With a little hard work and dedication, everyone at Celtic Steps can follow their dreams and be at their best both inside and outside of dancing.  We will enjoy the ride together and I wish everyone the very best!!