Heather Mailey-Esposito, T.C.R.G., native of Derry, Ireland and Director of An Cor Rud school of Irish dance, began studying Irish dance under the legendary dance master Mary McLaughlin, A.D.C.R.G. Heather won numerous awards in the 12 years she competed throughout Ireland including third place in the coveted senior girls championship at Feis Doire Colmcille.

Prizewinning dancers of An Cor Rud, have placed in the Southern Region Oireachtas, North American Nationals and have competed in the World Irish Dancing Championships.

The dancers have also appeared with a number of internationally known Irish musicians including a live taping with the late Irish tenor Frank Patterson for public television; a performance with The Chieftains at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. They have showcased with Trinity Irish Dance Company, Dancing On Common Ground and fiddle-player Eileen Ivers.

An Cor Rud dancers also danced at the inaugural ceremony for the Ntelos Pavilion Harbor Center with The Irish Tenors. In 2003, the school made its debut with the cast of The International Tattoo produced by The Waterfront International Arts Festival. This Tattoo production to date is the largest in the United States.

Mary Fien Assistant Director

Mary first studied traditional Irish dancing as a child in the early 1970’s under the tutelage of Desmond Penrose, A.D.C.R.G of the Penrose School of Irish dance Rochester, NY. Mr. Penrose was a native of Dublin, Ireland. In 1996, she joined An Cor Rud (The Reel Thing) School of Irish dance, located in Virginia Beach, VA, and has been studying under the tutelage of director Heather Mailey-Esposito, TCRG.

 Since 1996 as assistant director of An Cor Rud she is tasked to handle various administrative operations, coordinate and organize public appearances, in-school workshops, assists with classes and teaches beginners, adults, and Ceili and Figure dancing classes.

During her competitive years as an adult, Mary has won many first-place awards in both solo and Ceili dancing. Mary was a participating member of an award-winning choreography and participated successfully in the Southern Region Adult Ceili Championship. In 2003 Mary had the honor of performing her school’s 12-hand choreography in the Virginia International Military Tattoo. This Military Tattoo event is the largest of its kind in the United States. An Cor Rud dancers returned to the Norfolk Scope arena as cast members of the 2010 Tattoo. As the Assistant Director, she carried out logistical and varied responsibilities for the dancers and the school director.

Since 1997 she has been a member of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE). She attends regular Ceili dances, various master dance classes, and Ceili/Figure dance workshops. Mary is currently studying for her T.M.R.F. certification with the Irish Dancing Commission of Dublin Ireland. Ceili and Figure dancing continue to be a personal passion as well as teaching others the Irish dance tradition.