TEACHERS
All qualified teachers are registered with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (Irish Dancing Commission) in Dublin and the Australian Irish Dancing Association (AIDA) Inc.
CHRISTINE AYRES (ADCRG)
Christine was born in Victoria, Australia of Irish parents from Meath and West Meath, the ninth of eleven children, seven of whom danced. She danced from the age of 7 and competed world-wide medalling at all major championships in both solo and teams under the tutelage of her brother Raymond Ayres, ADCRG.
Christine commenced teaching in 1996 coinciding with attaining her TCRG accreditation. She completed her adjudicator accreditation (ADCRG) in 2000 and has since travelled throughout Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the United States adjudicating feiseanna including the World Championships and World qualifying events. At the 2012 World Championships in Belfast, the Christine Ayres School won the Senior Mixed figure dance and the Senior Girls figure dance titles and repeated the Senior Mixed figure dance result in Glasgow, 2018. As a result, Christine’s school was widely publicised in national media and Christine was formally recognised by Government for her contributions to Irish culture and the community.
CONOR AYRES (ADCRG)
Conor began dancing at 9 years of age under the tutelage of her uncle Ray, then a few years later, her aunty Christine. She won 6 Victorian solo titles, was runner up at the Nationals many times and was a member of countless state and national team championships. Her most memorable moment was being a member of 6 out of 7 winning teams in the Open Age group at the National Championships in Hobart in 2008.
Conor has toured extensively around Australia as a principle dancer for Cherish the Ladies, Spirit of the Celts and the Guinness Celebration of Irish Music.
She gained her teaching qualification (TCRG) in 2010 and her adjudicating qualification (ADCRG) in 2013 . Her teaching highlights include winning 2 World Championship titles in Belfast 2012, another World title in Glasgow 2018, 4th place in the World Championships in Dublin in 2011, and coaching many dancers to win State and National titles.
Conor is proud to be carrying on the Ayres family tradition of Irish Dancing in Australia with her aunty and brother.
LIAM AYRES (ADCRG)
Liam began Irish dancing at the age of 5 in his hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Under the tuition of his Aunt and Uncle, Raymond and Christine Ayres, he went on to win 7 Victorian and 2 Australian solo titles as well as placing 3rd at the World Championships in Killarney, Ireland in 2003.
He was an original troupe member of the Irish dancing show Dance of Desire and toured with them across Ireland, France, Germany and England before being offered a position with Riverdance in 2004.
While touring with the Irish dancing phenomenon, Liam performed throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, South Africa and the UK and after just 6 months he was chosen as a principle dancer, leading companies in Ireland, North America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America.
During his time with Riverdance, Liam was fortunate enough to perform on many prestigious stages including the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and Radio City Music Hall in New York.
A qualified personal trainer, Irish dancing teacher (TCRG) and adjudicator (ADCRG) he is proud to be part of the Christine Ayres teaching staff, with highlights including coaching figure dance teams to two World Championship titles in 2012 and another in 2018.
KIERAN HARVEY (TCRG)
Kieran started dancing at the age of five, drawing interest and inspiration from watching his Grandma’s ‘Riverdance’ videos.
Kieran competed from a young age in State, National and World Championships. He gained numerous State and National titles in solo and ceili sections and was also runner-up throughout his career at numerous championships. A highlight of his competitive career was reaching the top ten at the World Championships in Dublin 2011.
Kieran was a part of the original cast of ‘Celtic Illusion’ in 2011, which toured Victoria and New South Wales, including a performance at the ‘The Palms at Crown Casino’ in 2012.
After fulfilling his goal of competing in the senior men’s section of the Australian Nationals, Kieran sat and successfully passed his TCRG exam in 2013. Kieran is excited to pass on the love and passion that he has for Irish dancing as a teacher of the Christine Ayres School of Irish Dancing.
CLAIRE DELANEY (TCRG)
Claire began Irish dancing at age seven after seeing the Christine Ayres School perform a display at a community fete.
During her competitive career, she danced at multiple State and National Championships. She was a member of numerous winning teams and was the 2010 Victorian State Solo Champion.
In 2009, Claire moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland to train with the renowned Doherty School, run by Seaneen Doherty ADCRG and Gavin Doherty ADCRG. During her 12 months in Belfast, she competed many local competitions and also at the World and All Ireland championships.
Claire sat her TCRG exam in 2016 and is delighted to be teaching with the Christine Ayres School.
