Teaching Staff - Blakey O'Brien Irish Dance Calgary

Barbara Blakey O'Brien TCRG, ADCRG - Director

 

Barbara is registered as a certified Irish Dancing Teacher and is an esteemed Adjudicator.  She is the founding member and director of Blakey Irish Dance, since 1997.  What started with three students in a church basement has blossomed to a school that has locations in six cities with ten teachers, and the very FIRST Western Canadian World Champion - her student MacKenzie Mahler.

 

Barbara teaches classes in Calgary, and offers choreography and technique workshops in all Blakey locations across Western Canada.  She has coached students to win top major championships, including first place at the Great Britain Championships, North American Championships, The Australian Open and the World Championships, with many podium placements and regional winners over the years.

 

Barbara is currently the Marketing Chairperson of the Irish Dancing Commission in Dublin (An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha) and represents the Western Canadian Irish Dancing Teachers Association and the Irish Dancing Teachers Association of North America.

 

Barbara and her husband, Sean O'Brien live in Calgary with her two children, Stella and Simon, and work together at the dancing class as well as travelling to competitions worldwide, where Barbara is an adjudicator, and Sean plays the music.

 

Barbara is also a professional photographer, see www.blakeyphoto.com for more information.

Kathie Kaiser

 

Kathie is a wonderful addition to the Blakey team.  She joined our school after having moved from Ontario to Calgary in 2015 - a welcome import!

 

Kathie holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education, is a kindergarten and preschool teacher and an accomplished dancer, having trained with Goggin-Carroll in Ontario since she was five years old, with additional training from Frances McGahan. She loves teaching all levels of Irish dance and passed her TCRG examination in Los Angeles in 2017 on her first try. She lives in SW Calgary with her husband Chris and baby Liv and enjoys crossfit, running and yoga.

Sean O'Brien - Associate Teacher

 

Sean is one of the world's leading Irish Dance musicians, having played at competitions worldwide, including the prestigious World Irish Dancing Championships and the All Ireland Championships. 

 

Sean danced in his native Brisbane for Scoil Ard Rince.  As a competitor he was the Australian National champion and placed sixth in the world.  Sean joined Riverdance and toured with the Liffey Troupe for four years as a dancer and musician.

 

Having lived in London for eight years, Sean recently relocated to Calgary and assists in the Blakey class with musicality, body rhythm, drills, performance skill and technique. 

 

Sean's music can be purchased at www.seanobrienfeismusician.com and on his iTunes store. 

Laura Buckley-Arnold TCRG, MBA

 

Laura is a certified Irish Dancing teacher, having grown up attending the Blakey School in Saskatoon.  

Laura obtained her teaching certification in 2006 and joined the Blakey coaching team. Laura enjoys teaching all levels of solo and group dancing at our Calgary location and through workshops at our other studios. 

 

Outside of the studio, Laura works as a Senior Advisor in Government Relations for a large power company.  She and her husband Erik reside in Calgary.