Katie Jamieson Abplanalp

Owner | Director | TCRG

Jamieson passed her TCRG (Irish Dance teaching certification) with honors in the fall of 2014, making her a certified teacher with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG) organization based in Dublin, Ireland.  Leading up to this milestone Jamieson was a highly competitive Irish Dancer having been overseas twelve times for various International Irish Dance Championships as well as competing locally, regionally and nationally.  Jamieson retired from competitive Irish dance as a multiple-time World Championships qualifier.  Throughout her competitive years she went on to receive medals at The Great Britain Championships, The All Ireland Championships & The World Irish Dance Championships.  Her most prestigious awards include ranking 12th at the Great Britain Championships in 2009 & 18th in 2012. As well as finishing 36th at the World Championships in 2010 in Glasgow, Scotland.

In addition to her competitive success, Jamieson had an enjoyable professional career. In 2011 she was invited to Dublin, Ireland where she successfully auditioned for Riverdance.   She went on to tour with The Tartan Terrors, a Celtic Group based out of Toronto, Canada, as their lead Irish Dancer between 2011-2013.  Jamieson occasionally performs with the Irish Rock group 1916, based in Rochester, NY.  Some of their more renowned performances include The Rochester Fringe Festival, 2015 and The Flogging Molly Cruise, 2016.

Prior to Irish Dancing, Jamieson began her dance journey at age five in Horseheads, NY.  While studying many forms of dance throughout those early years, she has performed in countless shows & attended dance competitions at the local, regional & national level.  In 2008 Jamieson earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from SUNY Brockport, where she minored in dance performance, studying ballet & modern.  In addition,  Jamieson is a certified instructor of bootybarre, a dance inspired fitness class blending pilates, dance & yoga.   

Jamieson has taught at a number of locations over the past 20 years & has much experience with choreography and other art forms.  Establishing Jamieson Irish Dance in July of 2016 is one of Katie's proudest moments! In just a few years, Jamieson Irish Dance has produced National recall medalists as well as World Qualifiers. Jamieson’s heart & soul is engulfed in building our Jamieson Dance community & the future is bright!  She is overjoyed to share her gifts, knowledge & enthusiasm with the world of dance!

Molly Caldwell

Staff

At just 5 years old, Molly went to see Riverdance at the Syracuse OnCenter in February of 2000 and didn't sit down for the duration of the show, pointing and saying "I want to do that!" By September of 2000, she was enrolled in her first Irish Dance class. She quickly climbed her way up the competition rungs and was a competitive dancer by the age of 8, and dancing as an Open Champion by the age of 13. Molly was honored to have qualified for the World Championships 4 times, and competed twice.

Competing as a soloist & on a Ceili team, she traveled regionally, nationally, and internationally on a regular basis. She believes that being a part of a team at such a young age taught her the necessities of being a team player, something she stands true to, to this day. She even stays in touch with most of her previous teammates, who truly understand the love and devotion to the sport.

Molly retired from Competitive Irish Dancing due to unfortunate injuries, just before graduating high school in 2013. She then went on to earn her Bachelor's degree from Ithaca College in Healthcare Management & Public Health. Molly is currently a Talent Acquisition Business Partner with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

It warms her heart that Katie has given her the opportunity to get back into the dancing world. (And what a world it is!) For 14 years, it was a sport that stood out, always taking precedent. Molly has never felt the reward that Irish Dancing was able to give her, something she will always cherish and be thankful for.

Miss Molly joined the Jamieson Staff in the Spring of 2019 & assists with many classes on a regular basis, especially our Advanced levels, sharing her expert guidance & instruction. Miss Molly has passed Grades 1-12 in the CLRG Grade Exams & is successfully working towards her TCRG.

Madison Carter

Staff

Growing up in Rochester, NY, Madi began Irish Dancing at the age of five, began competing at local Feiseanna by age ten, and was instantly hooked on the competitive side of Irish Dance! After gaining experience, attending many competitions at the local, regional & national level, she made her way through the levels, reaching Open Championship & qualifying for the North American Nationals as a soloist.

Following Madi’s freshman year of college, she chose to retire from competition at The North American Nationals in Montreal, July 2014. While attending SUNY Geneseo for Childhood and Special Education, Madi joined Slainte Irish Dance Club. During her junior & senior years, she served as Vice President & President respectfully.

Madi graduated in May of 2017 and received her first post-graduate position as a Special Education teacher & currently works at Rochester Prep Elementary School. After reconnecting with Katie in the fall of 2017, Madi teamed up with Jamieson Irish Dance & currently assists with several classes. She even came out of her retirement for the chance to compete on a Senior Ceili team representing Jamieson at the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas. Madi is so grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for Irish Dance with the next generation!

Miss Madi joined the Jamieson Staff in 2017 & assists with classes on a regular basis, sharing her guidance & instruction as well as bringing her expert teaching tools into our studio classroom! Miss Madi recently passed Grades 1-5 of the CLRG Grade Exams & leads our recreational Adult classes.

Gannon Connors

Staff

Gannon began his Irish Dance career at the age of 6 in Binghamton. He soon was involved in solo and team dancing.  He enjoyed learning choreography and participating in artistic performances!  After his first Irish Dance school closed their Binghamton location, Gannon had the opportunity to move on to other Irish Dance schools for his training.  As a champion solo dancer, he competed at Feiseanna all over the Northeast gaining many 1st place trophies and too many dancing friends to count!  He had the opportunity to travel internationally as a competitor attending The All-Irelands, Great Britain Championships & World Championships. 

Gannon is a 5-time Mid-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas Champion, consistently placed in the top 5 at the North American Irish Dance Championships-including a 3rd place finish, and top 10 finish at the World Irish Dance Championships.  He participated enthusiastically with successful Mixed 4-Hand and Ceili teams throughout his dancing career filling pivotal leadership positions and especially enjoying the comradery of team dancing!

In college, Gannon concluded his competitive career to focus on his record-breaking career as a 4-year swimmer for the Nazareth College Swimming and Diving team. He graduated from Nazareth College with a BS degree in Toxicology with several minors and recently completed a Masters degree in Global Business and Leadership at Nazareth.  He is currently employed by Constellation Brands, Inc. in Victor, NY.

It was during his earliest Irish Dance years that he connected with Katie Jamieson, she became a key mentor, preparing him for various competitions and providing support whenever and wherever their paths would cross throughout the US and overseas.  Their friendship has continued to this day, Gannon is happy to have this opportunity to be associated with Jamieson Irish Dance.

Gannon joined the Jamieson staff in 2021 & assists with classes on a regular basis, providing his expert guidance & instruction with all students, but specifically our Advanced dancers. Gannon has successfully passed grades 1-7 in the CLRG Grade Exams.

Kat Fulton

Staff | Adult dancer

Kat took up Irish dance as a college freshman in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and danced casually throughout college. After graduating, they danced competitively for four years, competing at the Cumann Rince Náisiúnta regional and national championships as a soloist and team dancer, reaching the Ardghrád level in 2013. After a five-year break, during which they got a master's degree, changed careers & became a teacher. Kat returned to dance with Jamieson Irish Dance in 2018. They currently compete in the Adult Championship competition & has had great success! Some of their most prestigious awards include medaling at The North American Nationals in ‘21 & ‘22 & a 5th place finish at The Mid-Atlantic Regional Oireachtas, 2021.

In addition to dancing, Kat is a ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) teacher in the Rochester City School District.

Kat joined the Jamieson Staff in the Fall of 2019 & assists with classes on a regular basis, bringing expert teaching tools into our studio classroom! Kat recently passed Grades 1-7 in the CLRG Grade Exams. In 2020-21, Kat took the lead with our Zoom/Virtual class programs. Kat loves supporting the younger dancers as a member of the Jamieson teaching staff!

Austen Kelly

Assistant teacher | Senior dancer

Austen has always loved to dance and loves the stage! Diagnosed with ASD when he was 2, Austen danced before he spoke! He began his first formal dance classes with tap at age 9. He fell in love with Irish Dance when he saw Michael Flatley in a VHS advertisement for Lord of the Dance-He was hooked! In 5th grade he took a year of Irish Dance, while residing in NJ, but circumstances and geography prevented him from continuing. In 2010 Austen’s family moved to Rochester where Austen was accepted into The School of the Arts. During that time he added Ballet, Modern, African, Flamenco, Singing & Acting to his repertoire. He graduated from SOTA in 2013 with a degree in dance. Following Highschool success, Austen went on to College & now holds an AAS in Theatre Arts, from Monroe Community College and a BA in Dance from SUNY Brockport.

But, his passion for Irish Dance never left him, in 2013 Katie Jamieson took Austen on as a student. He attended Riverdance Summer School in Dublin 2017 & Boston 2018. As a Champion level dancer, he has competed Regionally, Nationally & Internationally. He has qualified for the World Championships multiple times & attends The North American Nationals annually. In the Irish Dance community Austen has found the acceptance of of wonderful people, his “other family” as he likes to call them!

Austen joined the Jamieson staff in the Fall of 2021. He recently passed Grades 1 & 2 of the CLRG grade exams. Austen loves to teach & support Jamieson Irish Dance & is dedicated to building interest surrounding a male Irish Dance program/presence.

Caitlyn Eberle Brandt

Staff | Guest teacher

At an early age, Caitlyn’s love for Irish dance and culture was impassioned. A combination of her Irish heritage and robust exposure to Irish tradition growing up in Buffalo, New York, facilitated the lifelong devotion to the sport. Some of her earliest, most joyful memories include an endless amount of Irish Dance & Culture community events & at the young age of eight, she was hooked!

In both solo and team events, Caitlyn refined her skills as a champion dancer and over time, she became a polished, competitive dancer and a leader within her team.  As a soloist & a member of a very determined & dedicated  team Caitlyn had the opportunity to travel regionally, nationally & internationally with great success, often placing among the top!  To this day, she believes there is nothing quite like the connection and camaraderie she experienced while dancing with her team.

Caitlyn retired from dancing when she started her undergraduate career at SUNY Geneseo. There, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and pursued this interest at the Master’s level at the University of Rochester. She began working for the University’s Department of Psychiatry and obtained her Master’s degree in Community Mental Health Counseling. Caitlyn currently works as a mental health therapist in the Rochester Regional health system.

Miss Caitlyn has been involved with Jamieson Irish Dance since 2016 & assists with classes on an occasional basis as well as sharing her expert guidance & instruction with our team/ceili dancers.