About the Feiseanna
Saturday, October 14, 2023
This feis is themed around the large annual event Cruisin' the Coast in early October where thousands of classic cars drive up and down coastal Mississippi. Feisin' the Coast will feature trophy specials with 1950's dress up themes and unique awards!
Registration is Now Open!
Sunday, October 15, 2023
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is all things southern, beach, and fun! This feis is eco-friendly with biodegradable medals and the use of technology to limit paper consumption during the feis. Beach and coastal Mississippi themed trophy specials will be on the syllabus.
Registration is Now Open!
Volunteers needed!
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Feis Venue
Both Feiseanna will be held in downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi with lots of boutique stores, restaurants, and evening entertainment within walking distance with Front Beach just over a mile away.
Mary C O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center
1600 Government St.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Adjudicators & Musicians
Musician
Seán Warren, Keyboards
Dublin born and raised, Seán Warren has been playing at Feiseanna for the last 9 years throughout Ireland, the UK, USA, Canada and Mexico. Seán completed his music studies at the Cork School of Music and is a founding member of the contemporary Irish band “Strung.” He continued his studies at the University of Limerick and graduated with a master's in music performance. From a young age, Seán was surrounded by Irish dance as his grandmother taught and adjudicated Irish dance along with his father, who also played music for Irish dancers with his brother Phelim, who composed the set dance “The Wandering Musician.”
Seán, now permanently based in the United States, is humbled by all the opportunities Irish dance has given him and takes his role as a feis musician–a major part of his music career. He looks forward to performing at this memorable feis weekend in Mississippi!
Adjudicator
Kristin Butke Zagorski, ADCRG
Kristin Butke Zagorski, ADCRG was born in Akron Ohio where she danced for 3 years with PJ and Judy McCafferty, followed by training under Tim O’Hare for 20 years. She was the first O’Hare female dancer to win a National title as well as 3rd place at the World Championships in 1997 and 2002. Also during her competitive career, she won 7 regional titles, including 4 wins in the prestigious senior ladies category.
As a performer, Kristin has danced with Cherish the Ladies, the Chieftains, and several major symphony orchestras. Kristin spent 3 years touring the world as a chorus and principal dancer in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames.
Kristin has been an adjudicator for 16 years and enjoys teaching Irish dance in Nashville Tennessee and Northern Virginia, where she has coached dancers to win regional, national, international and world champion solo and team titles. She loves to share her passion of Irish dancing with her students and children, and she is looking forward to judging the first ever feis hosted on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Adjudicator
Joseph Manning, ADCRG
They say the tyrannosaurus is the only cool thing with short arms...well clearly, you’ve never met Joseph Manning (sometimes Joe, unless his mother is around, then it’s NEVER Joe). Joseph is from Kansas City and is a self-proclaimed web developing god by day and a fastidious Irish dance teacher by night. He has worked for over 15 years in web development in both the academic and corporate worlds.
Joseph was a champion dancer with the O’Riada Academy of Irish Dance in Kansas City before passing his TCRG in 2010 and taking over ownership from his teacher, Christine O’Riada (now O’Riada Manning Academy of Irish Dance). He has attended multiple Mid-America Oireachtas, North American Nationals, All Irelands and World Championship as a dancer and teacher.
While Joseph spends a great deal of time judging people, it’s mostly because he is also an Irish dance judge! Having passed his ADCRG in 2016, he has judged many world-qualifiers, including the South Africa Oireachtas in 2021.
In all seriousness, Joseph would like to thank everyone that has helped him get to this point. Without the support and love from Irish dance he doesn’t know where he would be today. He would like to thank Niall O’Leary and is looking forward to participating with the upcoming feis in Mississippi.
Adjudicator
Karyn Oster, ADCRG
Karyn Kelly Oster has been a member of the Irish dance community for over 40 years and recently celebrated 20 years as an adjudicator.
Karyn grew up in Brewster, NY and descends from a long line of champion Irish Step Dancers. Before she was old enough to dance, she would sing at the St. Patrick’s Day shows while her aunts and uncles changed their shoes between routines. At the age of 3, she started lessons with Cathy Spencer Revis, ADCRG. The following summer, she won her first North American Championship team title in Toranto, Canada. When the Spencer School closed in 1988, Karyn continued her dance instruction under her mother, Kerry Kelly-Oster, ADCRGSB, for another 13
years.
Eventually, Karyn followed in her mother’s footsteps from competitive Irish dancer, to teacher, to adjudicator. In 2002, weeks after graduating and receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in music, Karyn passed her TCRG examination and joined the Kelly-Oster School of Irish Dance as a full time teacher.
In 2005, the Kelly-Oster School joined forces with the Jean Davis Academy in Birmingham, England and enjoyed a wonderful partnership for 15 years. Their dance success includes multiple team and solo World medals, along with a Globe at the 2013
Boston Worlds in the Dance Drama competition. The Kelly-Oster School of Irish Dance closed it's doors in 2019 after 35 years of promoting Irish dance and culture in New York. Karyn now resides in Nashville, TN and continues to judge local and national competitions, including this past years North American Irish Dance Championships in July, which was the largest Irish dance event to date.
Show Your Support
The Feisin' the Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast Feis is a registered nonprofit* in the state of Mississippi. All donations and sponsorships go towards promoting, fostering, and advancing interest and awareness in Irish culture and heritage through dance, song, and music.
Parents, dancer shout-outs in our digital program are available for just $25!
Send sponsorship:
•Mail a check to "Feisin' the Coast"
6467 Eastland Circle, Biloxi, MS 39532
•Send via Paypal (as family/friends)
*While it is a nonprofit entity, Feisin' the Coast and Mississippi Gulf Coast Feis is currently working towards its 501(c)3 status, so all donations and sponsorships are not yet tax deductible.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
