About the Team
The DanceSport Federation of Ireland Board
Tommy Shaughnessy
Tommy is WDSF DanceSport director and member of presidium of DanceSport Federation of Ireland.
International Adjudicator and Coach with the World DanceSport Federation.
Adjudicator at several World & European Championships.
Previous winner of:
The Bill & Bobbie Irvine Award 2006 (England)
Le Classique de Danse Teachers Award 2005 (England)
Le Classique de Danse Organisers Award 2003 (England)
Fellow & Examiner of the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Dance Teachers.
Cathriona Hallahan
Cathriona is President of The DanceSport Federation of Ireland and Chair of the Finance & Equality committee of DanceSport Federation of Ireland.
Cathriona is Managing Director for Microsoft in Ireland, responsible for driving Microsoft’s commercial and consumer business on the island of Ireland.
In addition to her Microsoft responsibilities she also sits on the boards of Solas, Children’s Hospital Group. She is a qualified Executive Coach.
She was awarded CEO Businesswoman of the year 2014 by Image Magazine, 2009 O2 WMB Businesswoman of the Year, one of the 2013 and 2014 WXN 25 Most Powerful women in Ireland.
Ksenia Yanchenkova
Ksenia is Vice President of The DanceSport Federation of Ireland and chair of the Athletes Commission.
She currently represents Ireland in World & European Latin Championships (Professional Division). Ksenia is co-director of Viva Dance, one of Dublin’s leading dance schools.
Breda Kelly-Lynch
Breda is Chair of the Medalist Commission
After a successful career in Ballroom & Latin dancing, she turned professional in 1996 and has taught classes throughout Ireland and UK before establishing DanceTones Studios in Newbridge in 2009. Breda is now one of Irelands leading Ballroom & Latin coaches and choreographers with qualifications from International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA), United Kingdom Alliance (UKA), Irish Association of Dance Teachers (IADT), and is a founding member and an Examiner for DanceSport Federation of Ireland (DFI). She is also an International Adjudicator with the World Dance Council (WDC).
Marcin Szymutko
Marcin is Chair of The Media and Digital Marketing of DanceSport Federation of Ireland.
He currently represents Ireland in World & European Latin Championships (Professional Division). Marcin is director of Viva Dance, one of Dublin’s leading dance schools.
Mandy Hallahan
Mandy is Chair of the Registration Commission.
She is married to John has 3 children – her daughter Emily dances with Xquisite Dance. Mandy is passionate about progressing dancing in Ireland and giving our children the chance to compete aboard with a world class organisation like WDSF
Nicole Kelly
Nicole is Chair of the Dance Development Commission
She is principal teacher and director of Xquisite Dance in Tallaght, Dublin for the past 5 years.
Xquisite Dance is one of Ireland’s leading dance schools, training dancers in Ballroom, Latin-American, Hip Hop and Stage. Nicole is a highly qualified professional teacher in Ballroom, Latin American and Sequence with the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers.
Noel O’Donoghue
Noel is Chairman of the Competition Commission
He is a highly qualified Professional teacher and adjudicator in Ballroom, Latin and Sequence Dancing.
Principal Teacher of Dance Addicts Club and co-owner of Dance Addiction, Blanchardstown.
Sean Smullen
Sean is co-chair of the Athletes Commission
He is the current Irish Open Ballroom Champion, and a regular finalist in International competitions. Currently he represents Ireland at WDSF World and European Standard Championships.
Sean is the principal teacher at the Greenane Dance Studio, in Greenane, Wicklow.
Aimie Leak
Aimie is chair of the Fundraising Committee.
She is the current Irish Open Ballroom Champion, and a regular finalist in International competitions. Currently she represents Ireland at WDSF World and European Standard Championships.
Aimie is the principal teacher at the LoveDancing School in Wicklow.
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