Barbara Blakey Broom T.C.R.G.
Calgary, Saskatoon and Prince Albert
Barbara Blakey Broom is the director and principal teacher of the Blakey School in Calgary, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert Saskatchewan, Canada. She is a registered T.C.R.G. and is a member of An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin, the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America, and the Western Canada Irish Dancing Teachers Association.
Barbara has been dancing since the age of 8, when she began attending classes with Finnuala Irwin in Calgary. She competed with much success at the Open Championship level, at regional, national and international feisanna. Barb first started teaching as an apprentice, and started her own school after passing her T.C.R.G. examination in 1999.
Barbara is married and lives in Calgary with her husband Russell and their children, Stella and Simon.
Janice Blakey T.C.R.G.
Kelowna and Vernon
Janice Blakey is the teacher for the Kelowna and Vernon locations.
She is also a registered teacher, a member of the IDTANA, An Coimisiun, and an Executive member of the WCIDTA (Western Canadian board). Janice has been living in the Okanagan Valley for many years, and completed her university degree in Social Work in 2006.
Janice also danced for many years for the Irwin School in Calgary. She is otherwise known as "Auntie J" to Barb's kids, Stella and Simon, and "momma" to her little dog Morty, a regular visitor to her classes!
Luanne Schlosser T.C.R.G.
Saskatoon and Prince Albert
Luanne Schlosser qualified as a registered teacher in 2006.
As a longtime student of the Blakey School, Luanne achieved many successes, having won Open Championships several times in the Western Canadian Region, and placed 2nd at the 2005 Oireachtas. She placed several times at the North American Championships, and has acted as a mentor to many of our younger dancers. Luanne also attends university and hopes to complete a Law or Journalism degree in the upcoming years. She shares her talent and drive with our students.
Laura Buckley T.C.R.G.
Saskatoon and Prince Albert
Laura is currently a student at the University of Saskatchewan and is working on a degree in Political Science.
Also a longtime student of the Blakey School, Laura competed in the Open Championship level for many years, having won first place championships and top 5 Oireachtas placements numerous times. She also medalled at North Americans and represented our school at Worlds. Laura qualified for her T.C.R.G. in 2007, while also completing full time University courses. Laura inspires us all with her enthusiasm and energy, she is a great role model for our young dancers.
Jill Perry
Calgary
Jill Perry (nee Puzanowski) has been teaching with the Blakey School in Calgary since 2000.
She started dance classes with Claire Regent, T.C.R.G., at the age of 5, and continued her dance career with the Irwin School of Irish Dance in Calgary. As a youth, Jill achieved many top placements in local feisanna, Regional Oireachtas, and medalled at North American Championships. She and Barbara were both members of the Girls Ceili U16 team that won first place at the 1991 North American Championships.
When she is not teaching Irish Dance classes, Jill spends most of her time with her husband Evan and their children, Brayden and Rylie, and is expecting a new addition in May 2007.
Cathi Durrell
Kelowna
Cathi is the one who started this all!
Cathi is a cousin to Barbara and Janice, and taught them their first Irish Dancing steps in their living room, which inspired them to join a local class. Cathi and her sister Maureen both danced for many years with Mrs. Forrester in Lethbridge Alberta, and attended competitions all over Western Canada. After attending the Alberta College of Art in Calgary, Cathi moved to Vancouver, and then Kelowna, where a local Irish group encouraged her to teach their kids some Irish dancing. She was later joined by Janice, forming a partnership, and creating the only registered School in the Okanagan Valley.
Cathi currently lives in Kelowna with her husband Glen Durrell, a noted Wedding photographer, and their son Liam.
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