Nevin Academy of Irish Dance

RIP Ben. We will forever miss your contagious smile and always remember your playful shenanigans. You had a remarkable ability to make up half of your material on the spot and yet make podium, time after time. You lit up the room when you took the stage. And you forever left your mark in our world. We will carry these memories with us and until we meet again, may God carry you in the palm of his hand.

Today, after more than 45 years of teaching Irish Dance, I formally announce my retirement. I have transitioned direction of the school to our partner-teacher, Anthony Fallon, TCRG.

I am certainly sad to make this change but also very excited about the new opportunities it brings me personally.

I opened my first dance school in Waterbury, CT when I was in my early 20’s and from that point on, teaching Irish Dance has been a huge part of my life. I have taught thousands of dancers in multiple locations (and states), from preschoolers to college graduates, and adults. I proudly taught dozens of World and National Medal Holders, all of whom were my original students from a young age.

My dedication went beyond competition as I truly believe there is more to Irish Dance than the competitive side. My focus has always been on training girls and boys to win and lose gracefully, understand the importance of teamwork and respect for teachers and parents, and ultimately, help them build character for life beyond Irish Dance. As a registered nurse I gave up my professional career to teach dance. I never ran my school for financial benefit, but truly because I loved it. Today, I am ready to step away from the nightly and weekend class schedule, daily administration and many other obligations tied to running a school. I look forward to traveling with my husband Chris, and spending more time with my family and friends. Simply, I look forward to "slowing down" and enjoying my retirement.

Tara has also stepped down as co-director of the school to spend more time at home with her two young children and continue her professional career in Corporate Social Responsibility. Tara started teaching with me after graduating from Villanova University, and successfully balanced having a full time career working with Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits, and helping to run the dance school with several locations. With the addition of two young children, it has been increasingly difficult for her to balance family, career and dancing. Ultimately, the necessary schedule and commitments of teaching classes and running a competitive dance school meant giving up many evenings, weekends and holidays at home. Tara will sincerely miss all her students and leaves the door open to going back to teaching in future years.

This was not an easy decision, nor a fast one. We've spent the past year welcoming Anthony into our school as part of our staff and having him get to know our dancers as we quietly planned this transition. Prior to last year, Anthony was our workshop teacher for 6 years so this transition is natural and we wish him luck as he starts this new, exciting chapter in his life.

On behalf of Tara and me, we want to thank all of our dancers, dancing families, friends and fellow teachers for supporting us through the years and being such an important part of our lives. This is not goodbye as we will certainly stay involved in the dancing circle and look forward to staying in touch with the Nevin Academy family for years to come.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Maura (Mrs. Nevin)

Congrats to Katie on her recall today!! She is a role model to all our dancers. Full time college student studying to be a nurse who also manages to travel to class 2-3 times a week and student teach!! She is such a great example to young girls and a truly talented dancer. Special shout out to her dad Jack for supporting her today!!

Best of luck to Katie Condon today!! Go get 'em Katie!

Dancing friends are the best of friends!

Awesome job Grace at your first North American Championships!!

Congratulations to Leah Cook, 13th in the nation and qualifier for the 2017 World Championships in Dublin! So proud of you Leah!!

Leah, Cassidy and Bailey making us proud!

Good luck to Bailey, Cassidy and Leah today! Go get 'em!

Last class for our dancers before they head to the North American Championships at Disney World July 1-5! Little Emma filled in for missing dancer Bailey :) good luck girls, you make us proud. Go Nevin Academy!

Great job by all our dancers over the weekend at the Father's Day Feis! A special thank you to all dancing dads for everything you do!

Long weekend for Feis'ing! Great job to all our dancers, especially Ireland who brought home 5 medals, Leah for placing 4th in a tough Open Championships group, Grace placing 8th in a large group of 34, and Georgia who places in both medal rounds.

Day one is done at the Cape Cod Feis! Great job by all our dancers. And a special congrats to Bailey Driscoll for winning the Maureen Hansen-Keohane Memorial Scholarship!

The schedule for the Cape Cod Feis is now available. Please let us know if you have questions. Looking forward to a great weekend with our dancers and moms!
http://www.heaveyquinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Cape-Cod-Feis-Schedule-2016-1.pdf?189db0

www.heaveyquinn.com

Parents, we need volunteers for next weekend's Cape Cod Feis! Our school is co-hosting the Feis and volunteers will help us run a smooth and enjoyable event. Please visit this link and sign up to give out medals or help at the door. Thank you in advance!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054EADAD22A4FB6-cape

Cape Cod Feis Volunteers are needed the weekend of the Cape Cod Feis to help with giving out medals and also at the door handing out competitor numbers. Thank you in advance for your help!

Hope everyone is enjoying their school vacation! Just a reminder that we are running classes today in Hingham (4:45 and 5:30 classes) and regular schedule in Portsmouth on Saturday. See you there!

Ice cream treats at Nona's after a hard night at class

Don't forget to enter for the upcoming Cape Cod Feis over Mother's Day weekend in Hyannis, MA. This is always a favorite for our dancers and families and a great Feis for all levels. Enter online at feisweb.com by 4/19 and ask at classes if you have any questions!

Great job Condon sisters - Katie and Julie - first place wins respectively! Even more special on National Siblings Day!
And a big congrats to Bailey for her placement, and acceptance to Brown University!

The schedule for this weekend's Hansen Keohane Feis is now available.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=456214594572411&id=177871782406695

Welcome home Leah!! Great job representing the New England region and the Nevin Academy at the World Championships in Scotland last week. What a week of dancing and family memories for you!

Good luck Leah!!

Good luck at the World Championships tomorrow Leah Cook!! Your dancing family back home is sending you big hugs and lots of good luck. Go get em!

Happy St.Patrick's Day!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!! Reminder that there are no classes this evening in Hingham. Hope everyone enjoys the day!

Fun night celebrating Leah Cook who heads off to Scotland on Saturday to represent our school and the New England region at the 2016 World Championships!

St. Patrick's Day is in full swing! Our dancers and families had a great weekend performing in MA and RI and once again the Newport Parade was a highlight!

Busy day of dancing! We started off at Rep Murphy's St Patrick's Day party in Hingham and finished off at a Feis. Congrats on your first place win, Leah!