Hi everyone,

My name is Jaye Monkley and I’ll be assisting Marieclaire in teaching the primary students at Adamstown. I began helping with the primaries in the last term of 2009 and I am so excited to continue in 2010.

How did I become involved as the assistant teacher: I am making my way through a bachelor of teaching/ bachelor of early childhood studies degree at Newcastle Uni. I work part time a David Jones while I’m not studying and the rest of my time is taken up by dancing; which you will never hear me complain about!

I’ve been dancing with Marieclaire over the last two years and absolutely love it. I am definitely enjoying the Voyage!

I started Irish dancing when I was 15, and it’s the only style of dance I’ve ever trained in. I went to my first lesson on a whim because my friends and I were curious. I instantly fell in love learning the first basic steps of the light jig and have never looked back in almost ten years.

My early years were mostly spent preparing for solo competitions. I worked really hard and made my way through the grades quickly. I went to a small school in Newcastle and we would travel to Sydney almost every second weekend to compete. It was always a big challenge competing against people that had been dancing a lot longer than I had, but I won a few and of course, lost a few. It was always a great experience and a lot of fun.

I have made some excellent friends through Irish dancing. Many of them are among the closest and most treasured people in my life. I have found so much joy in all aspects of my life thanks to Irish dancing. It keeps me healthy and happy. =) I am very much looking forward to beginning the term this year. Can’t wait to see everyone’s lovely faces.

Jaye Monkley


Hi Everyone,

My name is Louise O’Sullivan and I will be assisting Marieclaire this year with the junior class in Morisset. I began assisting since the 1st Term of 2010 and am thoroughly enjoying the experience so far.

Assisting Marieclaire with teaching is a good opportunity for me not only to learn some new dances but also to practice my teaching skills. I am currently a 4th year student, studying at the University of Newcastle and will graduate with a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)/Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies. This will qualify me to educate children aged 0-12 years. I also plan on undertaking a Master in Special Education when I complete my current degree. I also work a few nights a week as a waitress in a restaurant on Darby Street in Newcastle.

I started dancing when I was 2.5 years old. I tried Ballet, Tap and Jazz until my late primary years. When I was 11 years old I went to my first Irish dancing. As it was hard to find an Irish dancing school in the Newcastle region, I have danced previously at 3 other schools, all with very different styles. I have now been dancing on and off for 12 years. During my teenage years the dancing focus was on competing against dancers from other NSW schools. This involved a lot of makeup, heavy costumes, sock glue, wigs, hours of travelling and even more hours of practice. It was a lot of fun though and I have met my best friends thanks to Irish Dancing.

I am really enjoying the dancing experience with Marieclaire and feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to experience a different side to Irish dancing. I hope to see all your faces in the near future.

Louise O’Sullivan


Hey everyone,

My name is Jessica Holland and I am assisting the Primary and Junior Classes in Ourimbah. I have just begun teaching in Term 2 of 2010 and can’t wait to help teach throughout the rest of the year.

I began assisting Marieclaire with teaching while visiting Adelaide earlier this year. I helped Marieclaire with the running of the workshops for the Celtic Dance Association and immensely enjoyed the experience and teaching some of the students.

I began Irish dancing at the age of 7 and have never tried any other style of dance. I have had so much fun and its great exercise too!

I began Irish Dancing in 2002, quickly progressing throughout the many levels before competing in the 2003 New South Wales Championship. There were many early morning starts travelling to Sydney most weekends for dancing competitions. I had dancing classes up to 4 times a week with many classes ranging from 2-3 hours long. I competed in the 2004 and 2005 State Championships, 2004 National Irish Dancing Championships in Sydney and the 2005 National Championships on the Gold Coast. It was hard work dancing at such a high level.

I then began dancing on a less competitive level with a few small dancing schools before discovering "Voyage of Irish Dance". I started with Marieclaire at the end of 2008 and have had heaps of fun learning a new style of Irish dance.

Can’t wait to see you all in class!

Jessica Holland