JACKIE FLYNN, TCRG
Founder + Principal Dance Instructor
BACKGROUND
Jackie started dancing at a young age - tap and ballet at Betty May Dance Studio. At age 5, she transitioned to Irish Dance and spent the next 20 years training with Ann Healy and her progeny at the Healy Irish Dance Studio.
AWARDS & PERFORMANCES
Western U.S. Region Oireachtas Champion.
World Irish Dance Championships:
13 Time Qualifier as a soloist; Recalled in 2011; Placed 5th + 9th in ceilis.
Medalled at the All Ireland Irish Dance Championships.
Notable Performances:
Mayor Willie Brown, Senator Dianne Feinstein; Irish Heritage Night San Francisco Giants & Golden State Warriors.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Irish Dance Teacher
Registered with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha in Ireland; Irish Dance Teachers of North America; Western U.S. Regional Council, Inc.
CARA SUTHERLAND, TCRG
Choreographer + Dance Instructor
BACKGROUND
Cara began dancing at the age of 4, and studied a variety of dance disciplines throughout her life including ballet, jazz, modern and cheer. She began Irish Dancing with her sisters at the age of 8 in Cleveland, OH, dedicating many years as a competitive dancer and teacher under the renowned O’Hare School of Irish Dance. Cara opened the Sutherland School of Irish Dance in San Diego in 2019, and joined the JFIDA family in April 2022 after moving to the San Francisco Bay Area.
AWARDS & PERFORMANCES
Multiple-time Midwest U.S. Region Oireachtas Recaller.
World Irish Dance Championships:
Qualifier and competitor in ceili teams.
Recalled at the All Ireland Irish Dance Championships.
Cast Member of Take the Floor.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Irish Dance Teacher
Registered with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha in Ireland; Irish Dance Teachers of North America; Western U.S. Regional Council, Inc
OUR VALUES
INCLUSIVITY
You do not need to be Irish or a dancer to enjoy Irish Dancing! We became Irish Dance teachers with the primary goal of teaching others to love Irish Dance as much as we do. We aim to provide opportunities for all of our dancers to learn, perform, and/or compete as they desire. We provide instruction to dancers of all levels of experience from those with “two left feet” to champion Irish Dancers. Take a peak into any of our classes or performances, and you will see that we have dancers from all backgrounds.
QUALITY INSTRUCTION
Our instructors have trained with some of the most prestigious and longest-running Irish Dance schools in the country and have competed at the highest levels. We teach all of our dancers proper technique and execution, regardless of whether a dancer intends to compete or perform. We encourage our dancers to continue learning and improving as dancers and humans, and we look for opportunities to showcase and celebrate their growth.
SPORTSMANSHIP
While we love to see our dancers compete and be rewarded for their hard-work by placing high and winning medals, we believe that building friendships and dancing for the internal reward of improving and dancing your best is most important and will serve our dancers in other aspects of their lives. Learning to be grateful when you win and graceful when you lose is a hard-learned lesson, not exclusive to Irish Dance. These experiences teach our dancers compassion, honesty, and the value of hard-work.
