Instructors

Katie and Nicole

Nicole Rankin-Lindsay | Katie Regan-Donovan

 

Katie Regan Donovan, T.C R.G.

Katie Regan-Donovan started Irish dancing at the age of five under the direction of Ann Richens, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and has been dancing for 28 years. She has been deeply involved in Irish Dancing over the intervening years as a student, competitor, performer and now teacher. Katie has competed at both national and world levels. Katie is five-time Midwest Champion, placed second at the National Championships, and 7th in The Worlds Championship held in Galway, Ireland. Katie received the Overseas award in Galway, given to the dancer with the highest score in the competition from overseas.

In 1997, Katie went to London, England as one of the originating dancers in the Lagan Troupe of Riverdance the Show. Over the next 6 years she toured with the Lagan and Lee Troupes throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. She was fortunate enough to perform with the show in her home town of Columbus, Ohio four times. Katie looks upon her years with Riverdance as a rewarding experience having associated with the best dancers and musicians in the world.

Upon leaving Riverdance, Katie completed her An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelaca accreditation requirements and received her Irish Dance teaching credentials, T.C.R.G. in January of 2004. She opened The Regan Academy of Irish Dance in September of 2004, which has grown to close to 100 students.

Katie keeps in contact with her friends from Riverdance and answers the occasional call to return and perform when needed with the North American Flying Squad. Katie is happily married and has two children, Liam and Emma.

Nicole Rankin-Lindsay T.C.R.G.

Nicole Rankin-Lindsay started Irish dance at the age of five under the direction of Ann Richens and John Timm. She has been dancing for over 25 years and has been teaching for over 15. Nicole was one of the most accredited dancers in her school, winning her first Mid-West championship when she was only 12 years old. She then went onto become an eight-time Midwest champion, five-time National champion, placed third at the Great Britain’s, second at the All-Ireland’s, and achieved many Overseas awards. Nicole had the privilege of competing in the World Championships held in Ireland and Scotland eight times, placing in all but one and twice finished second in the World. She was also featured many times on the news, in newspapers and featured article, “Meet the Champs” written in the Irish Dance magazine.

In 1999, Nicole joined Riverdance the Show as a member of their flying squad. This special group of dancers would fly out to different cities to join the show, when their schedules allowed. This was the ideal situation for Nicole because it allowed her to still compete and go to school. Over the years, she flew out to cities all over the U.S. and Canada, joining Katie on almost all of the trips.

In 2008, Nicole partnered with her long-time friend and confidante, Katie Regan, at the Regan Academy of Irish Dance. She acquired her T.C.R.G. certification in 2010 and had her name added on to the academy making it what it is today, Regan Rankin. Now, Nicole is happily married with three children of her own, Mallory, James and Thomas. Her love of Irish dance has provided her with the strength and ability to train young dancers at the school in hope that one day; they too can reach the heights that she has achieved.