Our Staff
Niall O'Leary, TCRG, ADCRG
Niall is a former All-Ireland and World Champion dancer from Dublin, Ireland. Based in New York City for over twenty years, O’Leary performs regularly as a solo artist and with his professional company The Niall O'Leary Irish Dance Troupe. He is in constant demand across the USA, Canada, Ireland, and Asia as a performer, choreographer, master instructor and adjudicator in Irish Dance.
Amy Bowman
Location Director & Instructor
Amy is a preliminary champion who has been teaching for over 15 years. Originally from Idaho, she ran a performance-only Irish dance school for 6 years before eventually moving to Mississippi and joining Niall O'Leary in 2020.
Being experienced in business management and marketing, she quickly grew the Biloxi location and has brought the Niall O'Leary brand to the attention of locals along the coast of Mississippi. Having completed nearly all of the Irish dance grades exams, she will begin studying for and hopes to pass the TCRG examination, becoming a certified Irish dance instructor within CLRG.
Ella Lansford
Instructor
Ella, a preliminary champion, has been Irish dancing since she was a young girl. She has been teaching with the Niall O'Leary School since 2022 and is also an experienced instructor in sailing, piano, and violin. While currently living in another state as a full time college student, she comes back to visit on her breaks to teach and perform.
Mariyka Anderson
Teaching Assistant
Mariyka, originally from Seattle, WA, spent 25 years in the United States Air Force, where she held various positions and developed strong leadership skills. After retiring, she became an Education and Training Management professional for the Mississippi Air National Guard, ensuring military personnel receive quality education and training.
Mariyka joined Niall O'Leary School in 2021 and quickly discovered a new passion for dance. She enjoys performing and being part of a dance family, appreciating the challenges and sense of community it brings. She is currently studying to begin taking the Irish dance grades exams. As a mom and wife, she is dedicated to creating a better future for her family as well as her community and is driven by a desire to make a positive impact.
Emma Moore
Teaching Assistant
Emma is a novice/prizewinner dancer who has been dancing for over 5 years. She regularly competes with the goal of getting all her steps into prizewinner. She enjoys being on the stage, whether performing or competing. Emma loves helping the younger dancers with their steps, with warm ups, and coaching them through performance and competition experiences.
Erin Young
Teaching Assistant
Erin is a mother, registered nurse, and former competitive Irish dancer from The New Orleans School of Irish Dance. Erin's unwavering passion for the sport remained intact throughout the years, leading her to join the Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance and begin teaching the Tiny Toes class.
Erin is currently studying to take the Irish dance grades exams and enjoys assisting her daughter, who dances with the school as well. She loves helping to grow the next generation of Irish dancers.