Jennifer Hogan
Edinburgh, Scotland
Founder & Director

Since the age of four, Jennifer has had a thirst for dance as a form of personal expression studying ballet, tap, modern, contemporary and jazz in several dance schools in Paisley, her home town. Her father encouraged her to try Irish dance and Jennifer joined the McLaughlin School of Irish Dance in Glasgow at the age of ten and the Brown Newton School when she moved to Edinburgh in 2007. After five years as the Performance Irish Dance instructor at the University of St Andrews, Jennifer realised something could be done with the people she'd met along the way. In 2005, Jennifer founded Siamsoir Celtic Dance Company.

In addition to her role as Company Director she works with ‘With People Community Interest Company’ a web, design and marketing company based in Leith, Edinburgh.  She teaches an improvers Irish Dance Performance class at the University of Edinburgh Modern Dance Society and is currently half way through a two year Masters in Arts and Cultural Management at Queen Margaret University.

Jennifer continues to teach, direct, produce, write and choreograph for Siamsoir; creating Battle for Eire 2007, Celtic Caledonia 2009 and Celtic Dream 2011.

Tara Beck
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Fundraising Manager

Tara has been Irish Dancing since the age of 4. This included both traditional and performance styles of Irish. For Tara it's all about the performance. She love's how Siamsoir takes Irish dance making it so exciting and contemporary. The dancers entertain the audience by having fun themselves, and at the same time delivering a professional performance. Tara joined the company in 2008 and sits on the Management Team for the company. She also enjoys dancing Hip-hop and other dance styles such as salsa and tango. Tara is studying Linguistics at Edinburgh University.

Rebecca Carradice
Musselburgh, Scotland

Administration Manager

Rebecca joined the Ward School of Irish Dance when she was 7 years old and competed regularly, taking part in the 2002 World Championships. Rebecca always preferred the performance element in shows. When she stopped classes at the age of 16, she began to teach younger dancers. Rebecca joined Siamsoir in 2008, and is thrilled to be performing again.  Rebecca is a member of the Siamsoir Management Team. Rebecca is currently studying at Edinburgh University reading French and English Language.

Michelle Flaherty

Galway, Ireland

Michelle joined Siamsoir in 2010.  Michelle is now based in Edinburgh after completing a Teacher training course.  Michelle has extensive performance experience with a performance troupe from Galway.

Sarah McGuire

Livingston, Scotland

Sarah has been a competitive dancer for many years and has just discovered the fun and challenges of Performance Irish Dance.  Sarah is currently studying at the University of Edinburgh and successfully gained a position on the Siamsoir Performance Troupe at 2009 October auditions.

Rachel Smith
Washington D.C., U.S.A.

Rachel took up Irish dancing at a young age and since 1997 and performed around the U.S.A. After touring with the band Fynesound for two years, Rachel moved to Scotland to study Medieval History and International Relations at the University of St Andrews, which is where she first heard about Siamsoir. Rachel knew she wanted to be a part of the troupe when she was introduced to the hard-working and creative members of Siamsoir. It would give her the chance to perform at a high standard even after leaving the competition scene, and enjoy every moment. Rachel joined Siamsoir in 2008.

Aimee Smith
Kirkwall, Orkney

Aimee started learning Irish soft shoe at a small dance school in Orkney when she was 9 years old. At the age of 11 she began hard shoe, and spent the next seven years performing. Aimee has been in the Siamsoir Performance Troupe since 2009. Aimee is at the University of Edinburgh, studying Biology.

Laura Walters, BSc, MLitt, PhD
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

Laura has been dancing since she was 4 years old, studying classical ballet to a high standard. At the age of 15 she began Irish dance, and in 2006, she competed in the Senior Ladies' Championship in the Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (World Championships) in Belfast. Laura joined Siamsoir in 2005, and in addition to designing the sets for the 'Battle of Eire' has also assisted in choreographing some pieces for the company. She danced the faery role in Battle for Eire and the a lead (Sinead) in Celtic Caledonia.

Laura has completed her PhD in Art History.

Georgia Waters

Orkney

Georgia joined Siamsoir in 2009 and has really enjoyed the new experience of Performance Irish Dance. Georgia currently studies at the University of Edinburgh.