MEET THE CAST

Meet the Cast

Principal Dancers

Elyse Transon - Azura

Elyse started dancing with Cashel Dennehy at the age of 5 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and began her professional career after college with Michael Londra’s show Celtic Fire. Elyse has performed in Ireland, Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, and the United States with multiple companies including Gaelforce Dance, Women of Ireland, Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road, and has been the principal dancer, dance captain and choreographer for Rhythm in the Night.

In 2014, she obtained her TCRG and has taught in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Delaware, Zambia and through Artists Striving to End Poverty she implemented and lead a dance program in the Dominican Republic for the Mariposa foundation for girls. Currently she is based out of Milwaukee and teaches for the McMenamin Academy in Shorewood and runs the Milwaukee Company of Irish Dance, a group for retired dancers in the area who want to continue dance. Elyse is excited to be returning for her third tour with Rhythm in the Night and can't wait to once again portray the leading role of Azura.

Justin Boros - Balor

Two Step Productions is lead by former lead dancer from Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, Justin Boros. Justin is a self-taught Irish dancer that started dancing at the late age of 15. By the time he turned 16, Justin had auditioned and joined Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance where he toured the United States, Mexico, South America and Canada. After his time in Lord of the Dance, Justin then traveled with various European-based Irish dance productions throughout Ireland and Germany where he was inspired to create an innovative and unique new production, 'Rhythm in the Night, The Irish Dance Spectacular'. Justin spent several years developing Rhythm in the Night, including 18 months working with twin composers Andrew and Jared DePolo to create the original soundtrack to the show. He also dedicated his time to weight training to achieve the 6' 4" 270 lb physique for his role that is unique to the world of Irish dance. Justin is also the director of choreography and assumes the lead role of Balor in Rhythm in the Night.

Annie Profeta - Aisling

She began her Irish dance show career in 2011 with Rhythm in the Night, the Irish Dance Spectacular. In 2013, she continued with Rhythm in the Night and danced as the lead performer in the Spring 2013 tour. Since then she participated in the Riverdance Camp, the Ignition Audition, and several other shows alongside her school. She just recently finished a workshop showcase with The American Company of Irish Dance based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Annie is excited to return for her second U.S. tour with Rhythm in the Night playing the lead role of 'Aisling'!

Sergey Nazarov - Solas

Sergey is from Moscow, Russia and began dancing at the age of 18. At the age of 28, after he was invited by Michael Flatley himself, he became the first Russian dancer in Lord of the Dance and traveled with the show throughout the US, Taiwan and East Europe. In January of 2015, he became a lead dancer in the Irish dance show 'Danceperados of Ireland'. Sergey is excited to return for his 3rd U.S. tour with Rhythm in the Night and performing in the lead role of 'Solas'!

The Troupe

Mychelle Carre - Chorus Dancer

Mychelle has been dancing since she was 7 years old in St. Augustine, FL. Traveling and competing for many years up and down the east coast. Show dancing has been her dream since she was a little girl watching Riverdance. Mychelle has toured around North America with the Irish Variety show and around Florida with the Irish Echoes. Now, Mychelle owns her own Irish Academy in St. Augustine called the Carre Academy of Irish Dance.

Eoin Halpin - Chorus Dancer/Lead Understudy

Eoin has been Irish dancing for the past 20 years. He started at the age of 7 with the DeNogla School of Irish Dance. He has competed in many National and International competitions, with top accomplishments including: 2nd Mid Atlantic Championships, 5th North American Championships, and 14th World Championships. Eoin received his Bachelor degree in Biology from Rutgers University. Following college, he went on to receive his doctor of dental medicine (DMD) from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Currently he is a practicing dentistry in New Jersey. Eoin is excited to work alongside so many talented and dedicated individuals.

Katie Halpin - Chorus Dancer

Katie is from Matawan, New Jersey and has been dancing since she was 5 years old for the DeNogla School of Irish Dance. Throughout her career, Katie has competed in the United States, Canada and Ireland. Katie is a graduate from DeSales University where she majored in Musical Theater and began her professional career with Rhythm in the Night's 2014 Spring tour. She is thrilled to be sharing the stage again with such caring, talented and hardworking individuals for her 3rd consecutive tour with Rhythm in the Night. For mom with love.

Ashleigh John - Chorus Dancer

Ashleigh started dancing at the age of 4 in Auckland, New Zealand. Throughout her dancing career she has experienced success in competition all over the world including two National Champion titles. She has previously preformed with shows including Enerjig, Dance of Desire and Studio 2 Stage. She graduated from AUT University in New Zealand with a Marketing degree.

Robyn Kinzie - Chorus Dancer/Lead Understudy

Robyn is from Denver, Colorado. She started Irish dancing at the age of 7 and has been dancing for 14 years. Robyn dances for the prestigious Celtic Steps School in Denver, where she also teaches. Currently, Robyn is in school to become a medical esthetician. In 2014, Robyn placed 1st at the Western Region Oireachtas, 10th at the North American Nationals and 25th at the 2015 World Championships in London. Robyn has been on teams her whole dancing career and really enjoys being on a team. In 2011, her figure choreography team won first place at the World Championships.

Niki Louvelle - Chorus Dancer/Lead Understudy

Niki began dancing in her hometown of Listowel, Ontario at the age of 3 and has loved dividing her time between competition and performance. This past competition season she earned a 9th place finish at the Great Britain Championships, a 12th at All Irelands, a 15th at the North American Nationals and a 1st at the Eastern Canadian Regional Oireachtas qualifying for Worlds at both All Irelands and her Oireachtas. Niki began her career as a professional dancer performing in Ireland in Take the Floor 2014. She continues to train with Gilchrist Canavan School of Irish Dance in Toronto, Canada. Her passion for Irish Dance has led her to dance in the inaugural Riverdance Summer Academy in Dublin as well as the Irish Dance Festival in Carlingford, Ireland. Niki is delighted to return for a second tour with Rhythm in the Night as she lives her dream of sharing her passion for Irish dance with audiences worldwide.

Tess McGovern - Chorus Dancer/Musician

Tess comes from the west of Ireland, an area steeped in Irish culture and tradition. She began Irish dancing at the age of three and hasn’t stopped since. Tess studied and professionally trained in dance in Dublin at the Sallynoggin College of Dance and finished top of her class, receiving Dance Student of the Year Award. She has since toured various parts of Europe in Irish dance shows and has danced in front of thousands of spectators at the world renowned Lorient Interceltique Festival.

Tess now attends the prestigious Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick and is a BA Irish Music and Dance student. Here she studies under the best choreographers and dance tutors and hopes to take her love for Irish culture to the world stage. Tess is delighted to be a part of such a fantastic show, and looks forward to bringing a true touch of Ireland to you all!

Valeria Olavarietta - Chorus Dancer

Valeria started Irish dancing at the age of 10 in Mexico City. She is from the Drake School of Irish Dance. Recently, Valeria has been competing in Regional and National championships, World qualifying in her last Oireachtas. She’s also been studying tap and modern dancing since she was 5 years old with the ISTD program.

Brittany Roberson - Chorus Dancer

Brittany started dancing at the age of ten with The Haran School of Irish Dance in Washington state. She has been an assistant teacher with this school for many years and recently just passed her exam to become an official TCRG. Brittany enjoys both competition and performing on stage. She has been competing for 14 years regionally, nationally, and is a three time world qualifier. She has toured with different bands and shows since the age of 14 such as An Dochas, Craicmore, Tiller's Folly, Michael Londra's Celtic Fire, and Celtic Legends.

Connor Sheridan - Chorus Dancer

Connor is from Ocean County, New Jersey and dances for the Patricia Murphy School of Irish Dance. He started dancing at age 15 after being inspired by Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. Since starting in 2007, his dance career has included: qualifying for the World Championships twice, and competing there in Boston, Massachusetts in 2013; being named one of Irish Dancing Magazine’s “men of the year” finalists in 2012; and, in September, 2015 moving into Open Championship with a perfect score of 300. Connor is an alumni of the OCVTS Performing Arts Academy and has a very active career in theatre. Over the past 14 years he has taken part in over 50 full scale productions both locally and regionally. Connor has also been a soloist for the renowned “Orchestra of Saint Peter By the Sea” which consists of over 50 pieces.

David Smid - Chorus Dancer

David is from Mexico City. He started Irish Dancing when he was 20 years old. In December 2007, he became the first mexican to win 1st place at the USA southern region championship in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from Universidad Anahuac, where he studied Graphic Design. Since 2008, David has performed in international shows like 'Irish Nights' in the Netherlands and Belgium, 'In Love with the Dance' in Germany, France and Spain and 'Rhythm in the Night, The Irish Dance Spectacular' in the United States. He's been teaching for the Drake School of Irish Dance in Mexico since 2006. David is thrilled to be returning for his third consecutive tour with Rhythm in the Night.

Amanda White - Chorus Dancer

Amanda has been dancing since she was 8 for the O'Hare School of Irish Dance. She has performed with a symphony in North America and Canada as well as with Cherish the Ladies and in Ireland with Take the Floor. She graduated in May from the University of Akron with a concentration in Communications and Entrepreneurship. Amanda has taught Irish dance individually and in group settings for over 5 years. She has danced in solo and team competitions in multiple world, national, and regional championships and is excited to be back for her third tour with Rhythm in the Night!

Mateusz Wojcik - Chorus Dancer

Mateusz Wójcik is the creator and manager of Hear the Dance project. Also, he is a dance captain and lead dancer in Night of the Dance (Europe), a dancer in Rhythm in the Night, The Irish Dance Spectacular (USA) and dancer in Touch of Ireland (Poland). He danced as a member of Riverdance and performed at the annual Chieftains Concert in Limerick where he graduated with his MA in Dance Performance.

Natalya Zakuskina - Chorus Dancer

Natalya is from Moscow, Russia. She began Irish dancing at the age of 18 by the Folk Dance Theater Lege Artis Moscow. She took part as a lead dancer in the Theater`s dance spectaculars and performed in cities of Russia and the Czech Republic. At the same time, she was studying classical ballet dance by the teachers of the Bolshoy Theater Moscow. In 2013, she was invited as a dancer to the Take The Floor shows in Dublin, Limerick and Derry. Now she performs ballet and modern choreography in the fantasy musical show in Moscow based on the M.Weis and T.Hickman's book "Dragonlance." Also, she is a student of the Moscow University of Culture and works as a choreographer and teacher in the Lege Artis Theater.

Musicians

Lauren Hood - Violinist

A native of Bloomsburg, PA, Lauren Hood studied violin with jazz violinist Stanley Chepaitis at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During her undergraduate work, she started teaching private lessons and fell in love with this form of education. Lauren moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to pursue a Masters degree and received her long term Suzuki Violin teaching certification. She has held a large private studio for over a decade and teaches at the New Mexico International School, an elementary level school that includes violin instruction into its daily curriculum. Lauren has had many performance opportunities from being concertmaster of college orchestras to playing with artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Smokey Robinson, Deborah Henson, Frank Sinatra, Jr. and the TranSiberian Orchestra.

Luka Keck - Violinist

Luka is a solo artist out of Denver, CO and is very excited to be returning for her 3rd year to 'Rhythm in the Night'. She is originally from Ireland where she was classically trained and accredited by the Associated Board of the Royals Schools of Music (ABRSM) at 15. That same year she was accepted into the Irish National Orchestra and received a classical performance award, winning her an appearance at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. She currently plays many genres of music from bluegrass to heavy metal and performs all over Colorado and the surrounding areas with several bands and her own personal act which is heavily rock-oriented.