Petri school of dance

SCHOOL BIO

Founded in 1991, by Karen and Lisa Petri, the Petri School of Irish Dancing has grown quickly and has become one of the preeminent Irish Dance schools in the world. The school has over 140 dancers aged 4 to 21. Classes are offered to beginners through champions at the Petri Studios in East Northport and Franklin Square, NY. Dancers from the school have performed at numerous venues around the tri-state area including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Joyce Theater, the Tilles Center, and the New Victory Theater. Our dancers have been featured on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, The Maury Show, CBS-The Early Show, The WB-11, NBC News, ABC News, Fox News, and Sesame Street. They have also recorded spots for several TV commercials. Senior dancers have performed on the Norwegian Cruise Lines. Every year since 1999, the Petri School has been invited to perform the New York Knicks halftime show at Madison Square Garden. In 2006, for the first time, the school will perform at the New Jersey Nets halftime show on March 17th. Dancers have performed at Gracie Mansion several times for Mayor Giuliani and Mayor Bloomberg and their invited guests, who have included Michael Flatley. Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the school is invited to perform at the Governor's Breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria to help kick off the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade. The school has been covered by numerous newspapers and magazines because of its success including a 4 page layout in Newsday, a 2 page layout in Dance Magazine, a 2 page layout in Home Magazine, a 6 page layout in Irish Dance Magazine in 2000, and a 3 page layout in Irish Dance Magazine in 2005. The BBC featured the school in a special ½ hour documentary broadcast in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The school's most senior dancer, Deidre Faughnan, performed a six-month National tour with the Trinity Irish Dance Company.

The school is especially proud of its international competition accomplishments. In 2005, Gabriella Wood, a twelve year old dancer from our class, became the first Long Islander and only the fifth American woman to ever win the World Championships of Irish Dancing in its 35 year history. In June, 2005, Gabriella won the prestigious North American Minor Cup Championship and was honored as the top North American Dancer under the age of 13. Gabriella is also the current British National Champion, three time Mid-Atlantic Champion, and North American National Champion.

In 2005, Taylor Kerrane, won the bronze medal at the World Championships successfully building on her silver medal finish at the 2005 All Ireland Championships. Taylor Kerrane was the first female American dancer to ever win the All Scotland Championships. She is a two time North American National Champion, five time Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion, two time silver medal winner at the British National Championships, and three time silver medal winner at the Great Britain Championships.

In 2005, Alison Tanner, won the bronze medal at the World Championships successfully building on her fourth place finish at the 2005 All Ireland Championships. Alison went on during 2005 and bested the reigning World Champion in competition. Alison, eleven years old, is a two time Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion and a bronze medal holder from the North American National Championships.

The school's solo successes over the years include 7North American National Champion Titles claimed by Natalie Fetherston (1997,2000), Taylor Kerrane (2001,2004), Gabriella Wood (2003, 2006), and Brianne Marron (2004). 10 different dancers from the school have won the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships for a total of 30 titles between them. Very few dancers from the United States have been recognized at international championships. The Petri School is proud to have had over 40 dancers achieve international recognition.

The Petri School teams have enjoyed great success over the years. The school's Dance Drama Team won the North American National Championships in 1998 and silver in 2004. The team won the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship in 1997, 1998, 2003, and 2004. The Dance Drama Team also placed 7th at the 1998 World Championships. The school's Figure Choreography Team won the bronze medal at the 2001 North American National Championships.

The Petri School hosts a yearly feis (dance competition), where 1000 dancers from throughout North America come to Long Island to compete. Renowned adjudicators from around the world have come to judge the competitions. The school has had the honor to have prominent persons such as NY Senator Charles Schumer attend the event and present awards to the winners.