Staff

Meet the owners

McNamara McCarthy Irish Dance was founded by three lifelong dancers and best friends who share a deep love for Irish dance and a passion for working with kids.

After spending decades immersed in the Irish dance world as dancers, competitors, performers, and teachers, we found ourselves at a turning point during the pandemic. It was a moment that made us reflect on what mattered most — community, joy, and creating a place where young dancers could grow and thrive.

We realized it was the right time to take a leap together and build something of our own. From that vision, McNamara McCarthy was born.

What began as a small studio with a big dream has quickly grown into a vibrant dance community of more than 200 dancers in just five years. Today, our dancers range from beginners taking their very first steps to competitors performing on the world stage. While we are proud of our competitive success, the heart of McNamara McCarthy has always been about something bigger than medals. We believe Irish dance is a powerful way for children to build confidence, develop discipline, form lasting friendships, and discover what they are capable of achieving.

Our mission is simple: to create a community of happy, thriving kids. For us, Irish dance is more than steps — it's a place where kids grow, friendships form, and lifelong memories are made.

Anne Blume, TCRG

I have been part of the Irish dance world for more than 30 years. I grew up in Milwaukee surrounded by Irish music and culture, and after attending Milwaukee Irish Fest as a child, I was inspired to begin Irish dance — a passion that has stayed with me ever since.

As a young dancer, I competed and performed at the highest levels. I was proud to be part of a World Championship–winning team as a child and went on to compete extensively as a soloist, earning a Top 10 finish at the Mid-America Championships and competing at both the national and world levels. Those experiences shaped my love for teamwork, discipline, and supporting one another.

In my early teaching years, I coached teams that experienced success at the World Championships, and throughout my career I’ve seen how strong team culture helps dancers grow and thrive. Since opening McNamara McCarthy, I’m especially proud of the supportive environment we’ve built — one that has helped dancers reach milestones such as Mid-America solo championships and a championship-winning team, while always prioritizing connection, confidence, and joy.

Today, I work with dancers of all ages and abilities — from beginners to world-level competitors. What matters most to me is building strong relationships with my dancers and creating a positive, encouraging environment where kids feel confident, supported, and excited to learn.

Laura Donaldson, TCRG

I began Irish dancing at the age of five after being completely captivated by the dancers at Milwaukee Irish Fest. What started as excitement quickly became a lifelong passion. I went on to enjoy a successful competitive and performance career, earning a World Championship title in team dancing and a regional championship as a soloist, while traveling for performances locally and internationally.

I began teaching Irish dance at just 16 years old and have spent my career sharing my love of dance with hundreds of students. I’ve had the privilege of coaching dancers to world-level success in both solo and team dancing and growing alongside them throughout their journeys.

While I love training competitive dancers at a high level, I find just as much joy in helping beginners take their very first steps. I strive to create an encouraging, structured environment where dancers build confidence, discipline, and skills they carry with them beyond the dance floor.

Michelle Hynek, TCRG

I have been teaching Irish dance since 2006 and began dancing at the age of four, inspired by my older sister, Laura Donaldson. What started as following in her footsteps quickly became a passion of my own. I went on to compete internationally as both a soloist and team dancer, placing in the top 3 at regionals and nationals as a soloist and top 3 in teams at the regional, national and World level. Performing took me all over the country as well as appearances at festivals across Europe and Canada.

After my competitive career, I transitioned into teaching and leading dancers in performances throughout Europe, while also coaching teams to World Championship titles in figure choreography. I especially enjoy choreographing Irish dance pieces and have had my work featured at Milwaukee Irish Fest, competitive stages, and on national television.

While choreography and performance are passions of mine, my greatest joy comes from coaching. I love helping dancers build confidence, discover their strengths, and believe in themselves — both in dance and in life.

Our instructors

In addition to our owners, we are proud to have a team of dedicated instructors who share our values, passion for Irish dance, and commitment to creating a positive, supportive experience for every dancer.

Julia Dorf

I began Irish dancing at the age of four after being inspired by the dancers on stage at Milwaukee Irish Fest. I trained for many years and was proud to be part of a World Championship team, while continuing to grow my love for movement through ballet, contemporary dance, and yoga.

I began teaching Irish dance in 2019 and have worked with dancers of all ages. I also spent time managing a performance program, organizing opportunities for dancers to perform locally, nationally, and overseas. I enjoy helping dancers grow through performance and discovering what makes each dancer unique.

Dance is truly my passion. I love supporting students as they work toward their goals, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of creativity and self-belief through dance.

Maddie Sliwinski

I began Irish dancing at the age of four, and from the very first class, I was hooked. I was inspired to start dancing by my aunt, who introduced me to the Irish dance world and helped spark a lifelong love for the art. I went on to enjoy a successful competitive career as both a team dancer and soloist, qualifying for the World Championships multiple times and earning national titles, with a highlight being a World Championship win in figure dancing.

In addition to competition, I developed a deep love for performance. Over the years, I’ve taken part in hundreds of shows, from local community performances to major festival stages such as Milwaukee Irish Fest and Iowa Irish Fest.

As an instructor, my goal is to pass along that same love of dance to every student I teach. I want dance class to be the highlight of my students’ week — a place where they feel excited, confident, and proud of what they’re learning.

Rachel Hooper

I began Irish dancing at age five after seeing dancers perform at the Waukesha Public Library. Over my 13-year dance career, I've competed at the regional, national, and world levels in both solo and team competitions. I also had the opportunity to travel internationally to Spain, Belgium, Poland, and Italy to perform at festivals and cultural events.

In the later years of my dance career, I discovered a passion for teaching while assisting instructors and coaching younger dancers. After spending ten years away from dance after high school, I am excited to be back in Wisconsin and reconnecting with the Irish dance community as part of the McNamara McCarthy team.

I love building strong relationships with dancers and helping them grow in both confidence and ability. Irish dance played such an important role in my life, and I am passionate about helping the next generation experience that same joy, discipline, and sense of community at MM.