JACKIE O'RILEY

Rebecca McGowan and Jackie O'Riley are a duet specializing in old-style traditional Irish dance.  Originally drawn to the grace, musicality, and subtlety of older steps, they have been dancing and creating together for the past 8 years. Jackie and Rebecca have developed a unique way of dancing in close unison that magnifies the detail of traditional rhythm and footwork. They have performed traditional and original work at the Catskills Irish Arts Week, the Institute of Musical Traditions, and the Lowell Folk Festival, and are the recipients of the 2017 Next Steps grant for Boston-based choreographers through the Aliad Fund and the Boston Foundation. 

Independently, Jackie and Rebecca have both followed a long path of studying and spending time with masters in the tradition, including Patrick O’Dea, Michael Tubridy, Aidan Vaughn, and Kieran Jordan.  Both direct and teach unique, non-competitive Irish dance programs for youth and adults, and have been on the faculty of festival dance programs including MAD Week, the Augusta Heritage Center's Irish Arts Week, and the CIAW. Above all, they seek to keep the music in their dancing and celebrate the rich community of traditional arts.