I was born in Manchester UK and started dancing at a young age with the Grainger School . The sisters Brenda, Regina and Maureen were wonderful teachers and role models. I was one of their first students to pass my TCRG in Dublin in the early 1970s. Just before emigrating to New Zealand in 1982 with my husband and two children I achieved my ADCRG in London .

It was difficult leaving the dancing scene in England , however I have established a successful dancing school in Wellington and my daughter Esther qualified as a teacher in Sydney in 2007. It has been my pleasure over the years both to officiate and have dancers compete in the World Championships, North American Championships and Australian competitions. I truly feel I'm part of a global Irish dancing family. A highlight in my dancing life was to see my NZ champion and World silver medallist Aislinn Ryan perform the lead in Riverdance in the Opera House in Manchester in 2007.

I am honoured to be on this year's panel for Rince na Cruinne in Philadelphia 2009 and my wish is for an enjoyable time for all.