Rachel Franzen TCRG is originally from Canberra, Australia but has been living in various locations overseas since early 2000. Starting in Dubai, UAE, Rachel then moved with her husband to Muscat, Oman in November 2001, then to Moscow, Russia in September 2005, back to Dubai again in February 2006, and has most recently returned to Muscat, Oman in February 2009. Rachel was excited to be the first resident TCRG teaching in all three countries.
Rachel started Irish Dancing classes with Elizabeth Gregory ADCRG in 1983 at just 5 years of age. During her Irish Dancing career she also took classes with Kathryn Trenholme TCRG and finally took her TCRG exam with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in 2004. Before becoming a teacher Rachel was an open championship level dancer, placing in the top 10 in Australia and qualifying for the World Championships in each year that she competed.
Siobhan Kilalea, from Dublin, is a very experienced Irish dancing teacher, having taught in Dubai for 20 years! Siobhan started teaching classes at the Ballet Centre in Dubai in 1988 at the request of the local Irish Society. Siobhans’ own 3 daughters are among the many, many Dubai youngsters who have passed through her dance studio in the last 20 years.
At the age of 5, Siobhan was sent along with her sisters to Irish dance classes in Dublin. She kept it up for a number of years, until other interests took over in high school. Siobhan rediscovered her love of Irish dancing shortly after moving to Dubai with her husband in 1987. She found it a great way to connect with and stay in touch with her cultural roots while living abroad.
Bethany Quinn assists Siobhan at the Ballet Centre classes. Bethany has been dancing for 5 years and has reached the advanced level. Bethany recently completed grade 6 in the CLRG grade exams. She is also very accomplished in ballet and modern dance.
