Sam Keator, T.M.R.F.

Instructor: Samuel Carothers Keator, TMRF, (Teastas Múinteoireachta Rince Foirne) Certified by, "An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha", Dublin, Ireland

In the winter of 1997, a friend of mine, Mike Ambrosini, sent me a motivational card, "101 ways to reduce stress". Somewhere in the middle of the card, "dance a jig" jumped out at me. I took it to heart and sought out the Irish dance in Portland.

I first danced with the weekly Tír Eóghain Céilí dance class, and since 2001 I have been teaching the class.

After learning my "7's & 3's" at the Tír Eóghain Céilí class, I went on to competition. Successfully placing never below second in figures, and competing in the novice category in solos of both hard and soft shoes.

With the guidance of Maureen McTeggart-Hall and Sinead Yeates and knowing that I liked to teach and was a good dancer, I applied for, was accepted and took my teachers examination in January 2005. I had to take a "closed book" test on knowledge of all 30 Irish Céilí dances from the Rince Foirne, and teach two dances of the examiners choice. It was brutal! First written test in over 30 years! I passed with flying colors. I am now a registered teacher with An Coimisíun le Rincí Gaelacha and the US Western Region.

I teach or have taught formal classes including the weekly Tír Eóghain class, weekly Tigard class, Stafford Primary Enrichment class, Sherwood Dance Academy, Chehalem Parks and Recreation of Newberg, West Linn and Wilsonville, Portland Community College, started the Ceili of the Valley Society's Irish dance class, NW Folklife in the Center Hiouse and have done workshops at the AC Gilbert House in Salem and the Yachats Celtic Festival.

I arrange, teach and call ceilis throughout the year in Oregon & Washington. I employ and work for some of the best Irish musicians in the Pacific Northwest. A quote from Phil Meehan, "... book the top musicians for yourself personally - whether it is a PCS Ceili and All Ireland Ceili, or a dance that you are doing yourself."

I invite you and your family to learn and enjoy this great Irish Cultural fun! Plus it will reduce stress. I hope you will consider me to organize your céilís, Irish family reunions, private events, birthdays and wedding receptions.