Our Directors

Sheila Ryan

Sheila began Irish dancing at the age of four, with the Golden School in New York. She earned her TCRG in 1993 after finishing a long competitive career at World Championship level. After attending C.W.Post College and majoring in Public Relations, she went on to dance professionally with The Chieftains and many other popular music groups. In 1996 Sheila was one of the first Americans to audition for Riverdance the Show, and after being accepted remained with them for 3 years.

In 1998 Sheila directed and produced “Dancing at the Crossroads”, a 70-minute instructional Ceili video, starring fellow Riverdance dancers from the Lee Company. The video has since become a staple study guide for those dancers wishing to sit for their TCRG or ADCRG.

Sheila lives in Louisiana where she juggles the tasks of mothering her two daughters and one son, directing Camp Rince Ceol, and teaching Irish dance classes whenever possible.

Tony Davoren

Tony hails from Hollywood Co. Wicklow, Ireland. In 1992, he was invited to join the Celtic Irish choral group Anuna, and through that, began touring with Riverdance the Show. For the next five years Tony appeared on many of the great stages of the world, including Radio City Music Hall, and performed for the Prince of Wales in the Royal variety show in The Albert Hall, in London.

Artists he has recorded with include Sting, The Chieftains, and Sinead O’Connor. Tony is also featured on two Grammy Award winning recordings “the Long Black Veil” and “Riverdance the Show”. He also directed the music for “Dancing at the Crossroads” and has produced recordings for renowned Irish soloists Katie McMahon and Dave Donohue. Tony has also been tour manager for bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien and for Irish music greats, Altan.

Tony and Sheila first met while performing in Riverdance the Lee Company. Their mutual love of music, dance and enjoying their Irish culture drew them together and before long they were married in 2002. They are currently living in Louisiana and are enjoying parenting their children Roisin, Aoife, and Malachy.

Tony and Sheila Davoren, with their children Roisin, Aoife and Malachy

What Our Campers Have to Say

“I love CRC because I have had the opportunity to meet life-long friends, have my
dancing criticized to make me a better dancer and having a week without my phone!!” –
Piper Florio

“CRC is the best place to be in the Summer! I have made my best friends while attending
camp. I have been to CRC for 5 summers and my weeks spent at camp are the best. Camp
has let me grow as a dancer from the tips and tricks I learn from the fabulous instructors.
I can’t wait to celebrate 20 years of CRC this summer and be a 6-year camper!” – Anne
Butler

“Some of my closet friends are from CRC! I love that you get to work on your dancing while having so much fun!” – Peyton Ross

“I loved CRC so much! The counselors are the best and so funny. Evie and Patrick helped me a lot and were very nice. I also loved having class with the amazing Irish Dance Instructors.” – Aidan H

“The best part about CRC is everything!!! I have developed some of the strongest friendships ever from camp. The instructors and classes are also a bomb, the instructors are strict but serious which makes class beneficial and fun.” -Bowen Waltz

“The reason I keep on coming back is for all the amazing new friends I make and all the amazing experiences!” – Casey Boudreau

“My week at CRC is special because of the friendships I made with fellow campers. I love meeting new people and getting to know fellow dancers better. I loved the extra activities we did every day especially the step about. My favorite thing that happened was when we created our skit for showcase.” Riley McLaughlin

“CRC has made my summers the best they could ever be. I’ve made so many new friends that I will remember forever. I go to camp knowing I will be in good hands and that I have nothing to worry about. CRC has formed me into the dancer I am today. I don’t know what my summers would be like without going to this camp with my friends!!!!!” – D T

I LOVE CRC because it is my happy place! I love the friends I’ve made there, the awesome things I’ve learned from the instructors and counselors, the fun memories I’ve made and the strength and skills I’ve gained each year. I look forward to going back each year because I get to do what I love (Irish dance) and have so much fun doing it (I also get a break from my little sister for a week! lol). -Caileigh Hennessy

“Every year I come back to CRC, I am remembered and welcomed with open arms. I have met so many friends and my dancing has improved greatly thanks to the extensive training provided. Can't wait to come back this summer!” – Lily Rowbotham

“Last year was my first time at CRC and I had a blast! I made so many new friends from different states. I got to work with so many great instructors who love Irish dance just as much as I do. I am counting down the days to next year's CRC camp. I can’t wait to make new friends, see my old friends and continue working on my dancing while making great memories.” -Gabby McGrath

Our Philosophy

The primary purpose of our camp is fun. Camp Rince Ceol strives to provide both challenge and inspiration for every camper. We bring Irish Dancers from all over the World together, in a non-competitive atmosphere to share their love of Irish Dance while enriching themselves in the Irish Culture. By combining hard work and an enjoyable camp atmosphere, our quality program offers unlimited opportunities for new and varied experiences, learning new physical and social skills, companionship, confidence and individual growth and development. We strive to create an environment that is in every way healthful and safe, where encouragement, laughter and joy are the norm. We at Camp Rince Ceol believe that summer camp should be a valuable and meaningful experience for all.