Patsy Early-McLoughlin
Founder TCRG ADCRG Patricia Early McLoughlin, founded the McLoughlin School in 1968. A 2013 recipient of the prestigious CLRG Gradam award for their outstanding service of volunteerism and development of Irish dance in their communities, Patsy serves as National and Regional Treasurer for over 20 years and was the Mid-Atlantic Regional An Coimisiun TCRG/ADCRG Exam Coordinator for 30 years, with more than 20 of her former students earning teaching and adjudicating credentials. 
Karen Early Conway
TCRG Former champion solo dancer and outstanding musician on the violin, has been teaching with Early-McLoughlin since 1995. A fixture at local feisanna, playing alongside her friend Kevin Forde, Karen held the Mid-Atlantic regional board position of Sergeant at Arms for 15 years, is a longstanding member of the Bergen Irish Ladies Association and now the Bergen Irish, serves on the Music Committee for the Council of Irish Assoc. Awards Dinner and was an Aide to the Grand Marshal in the 2014 Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. |
James Early
TCRG ADCRG BG James Early, received the Graham award in 2023. A former champion dancer and equally accomplished piano accordion player, winning national and All Ireland titles, Jimmy earned his TCRG in 1977 and ADCRG in 1987. He served as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for many years and was also elected a CLRG representative and Chairman of the Coiste Rialacha. 
Tara Sullivan Rheinheimer
TCRG Tara is a proud McLoughlin alum, having joined the school with her family shortly after Patsy first opened her doors. She danced alongside her siblings before eventually earning her TCRG in 1992, teaching with McLoughlin in addition to her full-time job as a sports columnist with The Boston Globe. As part of many McLoughlin Oireachtas-winning teams and a successful solo career with many podium placements and appearances in the World Championships, Tara is proud now to be teaching her daughter, Keira, a current world qualifying dancer with McLoughlin. |
Mairead Early
TCRG A former top-level competitor for more than 18 years, was ranked regionally, nationally and internationally, placing in the top 15 percent of dancers at the World Championships after finishing fifth in the regional Senior Ladies competition for two years running. As a pianist, Mairead also competed at Fleadh Cheoil music competitions in the New York/New Jersey area and Ireland and occasionally plays local feisanna and the Mid Atlantic Regional Oireachtas. Currently the recording secretary for the Mid-Atlantic region, she co-chaired the 2025 NAIDC in National Harbor, Maryland and will serve as an aide to the Grand Marshal at the 2026 Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. |
Shannon Corrigan-Baumann
TCRG Shannon started her dancing career with McLoughlin at the age of 5 in the Bronx with Jimmy and Elaine. She's earned podium placements at Oireachtas in both solos and teams, top placements at nationals, as well as multiple appearances at World Championships throughout her competitive career. Shannon earned her TCRG in 2016 where she continued to teach at the McLoughlin School alongside her fellow teachers and friends. |
Samantha McCoy
TCRG Sam enjoyed an accomplished solo and team career with McLoughlin and earned her TCRG in 2022. Alongside her parents, Barbara and Charlie, the McCoys have always given so much back to McLoughlin, from organizing fundraising events to making countless auction baskets. Samantha is a patient and detail-oriented teacher, who studied early childhood education at Seton Hall. She works at the Greater YMCA. |
Carol Levy
TCRG, ADCRG, BG, MA Carol is a three-time World Champion solo dancer who works as the McLoughlin teacher and principal choreographer |
In Memoriam
Elaine Greenan
Our teaching staff lost a beloved member in 2023, when Elaine O'Grady Greenan passed away.
To walk into Elaine's class was to be greeted by her most glorious smile, to be met with an enveloping hug, and then, to get down to work. With a keen eye and a guiding hand, Elaine made sure her dancers kicked their butts at the end of a click, assured they would work for every ounce of sound from their heavy shoes, and would practically chase them around the floor to make sure they were moving enough. She did it all with an air of such positivity and encouragement that dancers couldn't help but flourish, whether advancing from beginner to novice or preparing for a major championship. Elaine's beautiful energy extended to everyone who came in contact with Early-McLoughlin, and was so evident when we were able to celebrate her 25-plus years of teaching in 2022. Born in London to the late Joseph, from County Galway, and Kathleen Feerick of County Mayo, Elaine’s family moved to New York and set about building a lasting connection to their Irish heritage for both Elaine and her sister Carmel. They learned Irish dancing from the famed Peter Smith and Irish music from the legendary John Glynn and his daughter Maureen. Elaine excelled in anything she tried, winning at feisanna in the local area and in New England; winning three MARO Championships: Elaine was privileged to attend the first Oireachtas held in NYC, and to count the early founders of IDTANA among her mentors and friends. She also traveled to Dublin Ireland four times for solos at the Worlds and then four times for choreography competitions. Her daughter, Victoria, brought Elaine back into the Irish dance world, taking lessons with Early-McLoughlin. Elaine and Karen Conway earned their TCRGs together in 1995, officially joining the school. Victoria became an accomplished champion dancer in the school, earning several top solo and ceili placements at local feisanna, regional, national and overseas competitions and a solo world medal.
She was our "Miss Congeniality." She will be forever missed.
Our teaching staff lost a beloved member in 2023, when Elaine O'Grady Greenan passed away.
To walk into Elaine's class was to be greeted by her most glorious smile, to be met with an enveloping hug, and then, to get down to work. With a keen eye and a guiding hand, Elaine made sure her dancers kicked their butts at the end of a click, assured they would work for every ounce of sound from their heavy shoes, and would practically chase them around the floor to make sure they were moving enough. She did it all with an air of such positivity and encouragement that dancers couldn't help but flourish, whether advancing from beginner to novice or preparing for a major championship. Elaine's beautiful energy extended to everyone who came in contact with Early-McLoughlin, and was so evident when we were able to celebrate her 25-plus years of teaching in 2022. Born in London to the late Joseph, from County Galway, and Kathleen Feerick of County Mayo, Elaine’s family moved to New York and set about building a lasting connection to their Irish heritage for both Elaine and her sister Carmel. They learned Irish dancing from the famed Peter Smith and Irish music from the legendary John Glynn and his daughter Maureen. Elaine excelled in anything she tried, winning at feisanna in the local area and in New England; winning three MARO Championships: Elaine was privileged to attend the first Oireachtas held in NYC, and to count the early founders of IDTANA among her mentors and friends. She also traveled to Dublin Ireland four times for solos at the Worlds and then four times for choreography competitions. Her daughter, Victoria, brought Elaine back into the Irish dance world, taking lessons with Early-McLoughlin. Elaine and Karen Conway earned their TCRGs together in 1995, officially joining the school. Victoria became an accomplished champion dancer in the school, earning several top solo and ceili placements at local feisanna, regional, national and overseas competitions and a solo world medal.
She was our "Miss Congeniality." She will be forever missed.
