Mark Howard and Chelsea Hoy: Leading Trinity Irish Dance Company to Celebrate 35 years of Innovative Irish Dance

"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey with special guests Mark Howard and Chelsea Hoy of Trinity Irish Dance Company.

In this episode of Dance Talk, host Joanne Carey chats with Mark Howard and Chelsea Hoy from the Trinity Irish Dance Company discussing their personal journeys into Irish dance, the company, and the cultural significance of Irish dance. The conversation highlights the innovative choreography that sets Trinity apart, the importance of imagination in the creative process, and the upcoming 35th anniversary season. The episode emphasizes the power of dance to connect with audiences and the mission of inclusivity and kindness within the art form.

TRINITY IRISH DANCE COMPANY (TIDC) was founded in 1990 to celebrate the pioneering work of its Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard. This uniquely Irish-American company “ushered in a new era for Irish step dance” (Chicago Tribune), opening new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as “Riverdance.”

Considered an American treasure TIDC has performed sold-out tours in Europe, Asia, and North America, appearing in distinguished venues, such as New York’s The Joyce Theater, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, Princeton’s McCarter Theater, Ottawa’s National Arts Center of Canada, Tokyo’s Orchard Hall, and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, among many others. The Company has entertained dignitaries as varied as Monaco’s royal family, Irish and American presidents, Japanese royalty, and Indian meditation masters. TIDC offers both a highly skilled presentation of traditional Irish step dance and a brilliantly engaging interpretation of contemporary world vision.

Mark Howard: Founding Artistic Director / Choreographer and Emmy Award-winning choreographer was born in Yorkshire, England, and raised in Chicago. He began dancing at 8 at the Dennehy School of Irish Dance and began teaching at 17. By 20 he had launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, subsequently leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States—the first when he was only 25. He redefined what was possible for American teams becoming the first to win gold in all categories.His pioneering work led to his unique transition from the competitive stage to the performing arts stage to coach then artistic director. Howard himself was a regular guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. He has been named three times as one of Irish American Magazine’s “Top 100 Irish-Americans,” and he was honored by iBAM! in 2011 and in 2015 by Chicago’s Lawyers For the Creative Arts for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts.

Chelsea Hoy: Associate Artistic Director / Choreographer / Dancer. Born in Denver, Hoy's choreographic influence has significantly shaped TIDC’s newest works. Hoy recently co-choreographed Taking the Mick alongside Howard, a versatile work following their first collaboration An Sorcas (The Circus), which previewed in Japan and had its world premiere at Chicago’s historic Auditorium Theatre in 2019.Chelsea grew up dancing competitively for the Wick School of Irish Dance in Denver, Colorado. She joined TIDC in 2014 after she began her studies at Loyola University Chicago. She graduated in 2017 with Bachelors’ degrees in Psychology and Photography. In addition to helping guide the company’s future, she is a professional photographer, dance instructor, and visual artist. Hoy’s love of empowering children through the arts continues to shape TIDC’s outreach programming.

Information for TIDC and to see their upcoming performances visit

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