STAFF
ASHLEY CHEEK, TCRG
Owner & Primary Instructor
Studio owner, Ashley Cheek began her Irish Dance experience at the age of five with the Cross Keys School of Irish Dance in Chicago. It wasn’t long before she discovered her passion for both dance and competition. At the age of ten, Ashley qualified for her first World Championships and never looked back. Over the course of 13+ years, she traveled to countless local feisanna (competitions), Regional, National, and World Championships competing as a solo and ceili (group) dancer. Ashley began assistant teaching in classes when she was in 7th grade. She realized she not only loved coaching other dancers but also had a natural gift for mentoring. During her dance career, she helped numerous dancers improve their skills, confidence and sportsmanship while also developing friendships.
Ashley retired from her dance career in 2006 when she began her college journey studying mathematics, marketing, and finance. She obtained a degree from Lewis University in Illinois and worked in higher education for four years before returning to teaching dance in Minnesota.
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Alongside teaching, Ashley has participated in numerous training activities such as weightlifting, CrossFit, yoga, and running. In addition, she continues to develop her training skills through personal research and clinics such as Target Training. She has developed and implemented strength and conditioning programs for individual dancers and also for group classes. Ashley believes creating well-rounded athletes is essential in helping dancers reach their highest potential in a healthy manner.
Ashley is a certified TCRG with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG) and is a registered member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America (IDTAMA).Ashley and her husband Tim have three children: Cora, Maddox, and Tyson. Irish Dance has been a part of their family from the beginning. Cora even attended her first feis as only one-week-old! Developing and growing Ardaigh Suas Academy is a family endeavor that they can all support and pursue together!
LIBBY SIMPSON
Primary Instructor
Libby has been dancing for 17 years and competing for 13 years. She mostly competed in the Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN) organization where she won a national championship and placed 7th at the world championships twice. Over the past four years Libby has been balancing being a full time student at the University of St. Thomas, teaching dance, and competing and performing herself. She recently took the stage for the first time at the Mid-America Oireachtas ASA’s organization (CLRG) and can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings. “I love teaching because I get to see the next generation of dancers and I genuinely love the sport. They keep me dancing and involved in the Irish dance world after so many years.”
KRISSY WILLS
Primary Instructor
Krissy began her Irish dance journey with the Scoil na dTri Irish Dance Academy in St. Paul at the age of 11. She competed both nationally and internationally, eventually achieving the level of Open Championship. Although Krissy loved competitive dancing she found her true passion in coaching and choreographing. For years, she taught with schools throughout the state, assisting with the development of many young dancers. In 2015, a group of students taught by Krissy attended the Cumann Rince Náisiúnta (CRN) World Championships where they won the Rince Ceol category, marking one of the highest points of Krissy’s Irish dancing career.
Krissy is thrilled to have the opportunity to return as an instructor with the Ardaigh Suas Academy of Irish Dance and is eager to help each student achieve their personal goals and reach their full potential.