Triallta is not currently offering classes, but we are the sponsor for NAIDF’s Quarterly Digital Grade Exams.

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Ashley Middleton, SIDA2/CPIDA

In 2010, Ashley joined the North American Irish Dance Federation, an adult-friendly open platform organization that is also great with kids. Ashley has currently attained her MIDT2 (solo) and CCT (céilí) teaching certifications, as well as her SIDA2 (solo) and CPIDA (team and céilí) adjudicating certifications. She was the adjudicator for Group Dance competitions at the 2011 NAIDF National Championships and has returned as an adjudicator for group and solo dancing each year since. Ashley developed the Grade Exams and helped redevelop and clarify the Teacher Training & Certification programs for NAIDF. She is currently researching and writing books on céilí dances and traditional solo sets.

A former student of well-respected Irish dance academies, Ashley has been teaching Irish dancing in the area since 2003 though the former Joliet Junior College Irish Dancers and local Park Districts. Ashe has worked as a counselor for Camp Rince Ceol, an Irish Dance and Music Camp under the direction of former members of Riverdance, and studied with Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN, National Dance Association based in Dublin, Ireland). She has also dabbled in ballet, tap, jazz, Scottish Highland and Egyptian belly dance.

Ashley graduated in 2010 with a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She can be contacted through ashley@triallta.org and (815) 931-8298.

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Lauren Faye Cruse-Kasten

Lauren now lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with her charming husband Donn, and has retired from running ongoing classes. She graduated in 2010 with a BS in Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is now a Registered Dietician. She currently writes at FoodLoveFrenzy (Delicious Conscientiousness: Loving Food is Just the Half of It).

Lauren attended CLRG-certified schools in the Chicago area as well as workshops with internationally acclaimed Irish dancers. From 2002 to 2012, she taught through programs including the former Joliet Junior College Irish Dancers, The Dance Workshop in Orland Park, and The Nazarene Arts Academy in Lemont. She also worked as a counselor for Camp Rince Ceol, an Irish Dance and Music Camp under the direction of former members of Riverdance. She’s also versed in ballet, tap, Scottish Highland, and swing. Lauren can be contacted through faye@triallta.org.