Ashling Daly Stanek, TCRG, Owner & Director

Ashling enjoyed a successful competitive career, winning Nationals, Mid Atlantic Championship, All Ireland Championships, and placing First at Worlds. Ashling continued her dance career through college, touring with the Tony Kenny: Christmas Time in Ireland and opening theJIGfactory New Hampshire, all while maintaining a full course load.

After graduating from Saint Anselm College in 2017 Ashling began her career working on MSNBC's Morning Joe before moving to Nasdaq. While her career kept her busy, she couldn't be kept from the studio, regularly dropping in to help and never missing a performance. Following Susan's passing in 2021, Ashling took over Ridgewood Irish Dance, aka her happy place. 

Ashling continues to manage "the best week of the year", Camp Rince Nua, At sixteen Ashling and Susan founded Camp Rince Nua, a sleep-away program for Irish Dancers of all levels, organizations, and interests.  

Susan Daly Stanek, Founder, TCRG, ADCRG 1965 - 2021:

Born in Dublin, where she began dancing at the age of 3. Susan enjoyed a flourishing dance career and traveled the world as a member of an international touring group. She also joined the John Players Theater Company, "Tops of the Town."

Susan moved to the United States in 1986. While living in Manhattan, Susan continued to dance taking lessons at the Martha Graham School. In 1995 Susan and her husband moved to Ridgewood to raise their growing family. In 2007, Susan was honored to receive the "Top 40 Under 40 " award from the Irish Echo. Ridgewood Irish Dance offers classes from toddler to adult, in instructional traditional Irish Dance, progressive Irish Dance, and Dance Drama. Ridgewood Irish Dance has performed internationally and shared the stage with Gaelic Storm, Cherish The Ladies, and Eileen Ivers. They have appeared on local and international networks. Ridgewood Irish Dance college students often receive grants and scholarships for their achievements.

In 2018 and 2020 Susan was a featured choreographer in an international showcase at Carnegie Hall in 2019 at Lincoln Center. Susan was also a 2020 honoree of the Ridgewood Arts Foundation. Susan's family will forever be grateful for the community Susan built and left to them. Her legacy, love, and fun lives on through the dancers. 

Ridgewood Irish Dance continues to foster the new generation of Irish Dance with the support of the full RID community. As dancers reach certain ages & pass their Irish Dance Grade exams they are invited to volunteer in beginner classes. Once in high school volunteers stood out with there ability to support classes and help teach material act as teaching assistant.