History

The McConnell family founded the first Irish dance school in Ballymena, Northern Ireland (view history) over 100 years ago. Agnes McConnell began teaching Irish dance to the local millworker's children and was one of a rare few who initiated the re-introduction of the once banned Irish Dance tradition in the North.

Agnes's younger brother Samuel followed in his sister's footsteps and also branched out to other styles of dance, such as Ballroom, Tap and Folk. In the traditon of the ancient Irish dance masters, Sam McConnell travelled the countryside to neighbouring villages in order to accommodate the growing resurgence of the
art- form in County Antrim.

Sam was first introduced to his wife Sarah McConnell (nee McNally) at a Ballroom dance competition, and together the two competed at events across the country. In 1947, shortly after the end of World War II, Sam and Sarah moved their family (consisting of three children) to Winnipeg, Canada. Sam's brother David had immigrated to Winnipeg several years prior, as it was the McConnell's wish to raise their family in a stable and peaceful country.

Pearl McConnell began dancing at age four in Ireland. She studied Irish, Tap and Ballet and would often accompany her father to lessons in neighbouring towns, perched on the handle bars of his bicycle. At a young age Pearl had the honour of performing an Irish Jig with Glenn Miller and his orchestra in Belfast, shortly before his untimely death. Pearl performed and choreographed over 300 CBC television shows including "Red River Jamboree" and "Pick the Stars" in Toronto. She was a regular dancer in Rainbow Stage productions and a choreographer for the "Hollow Mug" musicals for ten years running.

In 1984 Pearl conceptualized and choreographed a 45 minute production called the "New York Irish", and it's success grew to enormous proportions. The show traced the history of the Irish people through generations of mass exodus to the New World. Over the course of it's ten year run, it delighted audiences with it's brilliant choreography, colourful costumes, and heartwarming music and remains a uniquely personal story of her reluctant immigration as a teenager.

In 1996 Pearl established the "Isle of the Shamrock" pavilion in the Folklorama Festival, after 25 years of volunteering her talents for both the "Irish" and "Emerald Isle" pavilions. Pearl was the sole coordinator for the "Isle of the Shamrock" for it's eight year run.

In 1988 Pearl received a Citizenship award from the City of Winnipeg for her volunteer efforts and community service work. In 2004 Pearl retired, passing the "McConnell School of Dance" on to her daughter Shayleen, thus paving the way for the third generation of McConnell's.

Shayleen McConnell Finucan began dancing at age three with her grandfather at "McConnell School of Dance" and her mother at "Norberry". At a young age she studied ballet with M. Grand Pierre and at five years old, she became a "Shannon Irish Dancer." Shayleen appeared on many television shows and commercials, including regular appearances on "Sesame Street".

Sam McConnell choreographed numerous CBC television shows, local productions and "Rainbow Stage" musicals. Many of the performers were McConnell Dancers who went on to have successful careers in television, theatre and dance. Sam McConnell was one of the founding members of the "Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg" and both Sam and Sarah received citizenship awards from the City of Winnipeg for their community service work. The McConnells were lifetime honorary members of the "Winnipeg Irish Association" and on the school's 25th Anniversary, they were recognized by her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth.

Sam and Sarah McConnell established the "McConnell School of Dance" in Winnipeg in the fall of 1947. The Irish community in Winnipeg was quite small at that time and their first season had little more than a dozen pupils. Both Sam and Sarah found work at "Eaton's" department store, as many of the Irish immigrants did in those days. "McConnell School of Dance" rapidly grew in size and it wasn't long before the year-end recital was a two night, sold out performance at "Pantages Playhouse Theatre." In 1950 Sam travelled to Chicago where he received certification in Tap Dance from Gladys Height ( Fred Astaire's teacher).

Pearl established the "Norberry Dancers" when she was only 16 years of age and continued to perform and teach with her father at "McConnell School of Dance." In keeping with the tradition of the Irish dance masters, she travelled to many rural areas to teach, including St. Norbert, St. Pierre, St Adolphe and Carman. Pearl established the "Shannon Irish Dancers" in conjunction with the "Manitoba Irish Association." In 1982, after the passing of Sam and the retirement of Sarah, Pearl took over the running of "McConnell School of Dance."

Pearl's background in musicals and exposure to varying styles of dance provided her with the ability to branch out with innovative choreography. She combined exciting choreography with traditional steps, captivating North American audiences with it's lightning fast pace. Whilst still preserving the traditions of Irish Dance passed down the family line, Pearl added unique elements to create a style that had never been seen before. She is the only choreographer to incorporate the Bodhrán (ancient Irish Drum) and spoons into her productions and the "McConnell Dancers" remain the only Irish Dancers who have the unique ability to drum and dance at the same time. Pearl was also the first to interweave traditional solo dances in full non-stop productions with military-precise choreography.

In 2000 Shayleen and Robin transited the Panama Canal in their boat and spent nearly three years living in the remote San Blas Islands with the Kuna Indian tribe. In 2004 they sailed their engine-less boat on a 21 day non-stop voyage across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, making landfall in Savannah, Georgia.
Shayleen returned to Winnipeg in September of 2004 to take over the operations of "McConnell School of Dance".
Shayleen's most recent achievement is choreographer of the international touring Irish Dance spectacular "The Magic of Ireland"

The show is produced by Peter Jacobs (Gael Force) and has included performers such James Devine, who holds the current record as the fastest tap dancer in the world.

In August of 2007 McConnell School of Dance was invited to participate in the X1V Festival Internacional de Dance Folklorica in Trujillo, Peru. 33 members of McConnell School of Dance travelled to Peru to attend the festival and travelled to Machu Picchu to see the ancient Inca ruins.

Shayleen began her dance teaching apprenticeship at twelve years of age under the direction of her mother, Pearl. It was about that time she began playing the Bodhrán (ancient Irish drum) and she passed on her skill to dancers eager to learn the technique. Shayleen studied Jazz / Modern dance at the "Royal Winnipeg Ballet" and she teaches Irish, Jazz and Folk Dancing. She has performed with the "Irish Rovers", on television and in various international events and festivals. Shayleen apprenticed as a recording / sound engineer with her father at "Wayne Finucan Productions Ltd." and studied Theatre / Drama at the University of Winnipeg.

Norberry Dancers 1977

Shannon Dancers 1976

As a young child, Shayleen accompanied her mother to nightly dance lessons, spending countless hours watching from the sidelines and playing the music when she was old enough to operate the record player.

In 1996 Shayleen took an eight year sabbatical from the school. She travelled with her spouse Robin on their 32 foot sailboat down the Pacific coast of Central America, spending time in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.

McConnell School of Dance is currently in it's 61st Season!