Our Coaches

Directors Emily Wolff and Ciara Reynolds

Emily started dancing when she was just 4 years old and has danced with a number of schools in the Twin Cities over the past two decades. Growing up, she danced competitively under the direction of Katie Griffen TCRG and Rachel Knutson TCRG. In 2003, Emily decided to retire from competition and pursue her love of performance. Emily danced and taught for several years at the Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers in St. Paul where she had the amazing opportunity to perform with many local and international bands such as Dropkick Murphys, Gaelic Storm, Eileen Ivers, Katie McMahon, The Chieftans, The Young Dubliners, Scythian, Two Tap Trio, Myserk, and Tom Dahill. Emily also acted as Assistant Director, Instructor and Chief Choreographer of Rince na Chroi for 8 years.

Emily then decided to take her career to the next level by pursuing her Teaching Certification with An Coimisuin Le Rinci Gaelacha. She received her TCRG in December 2012 and in May 2013 she began the Mactír Academy of Irish Dance.

Outside of dance, Emily holds a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from St. Catherine University and worked for several years in the non-profit sector working with youth development for both Union Gospel Mission and Bethel University. Through her experience working with children and adults of all socioeconomic backgrounds, she is a true believer in social change through the art of dance. Not only does the Mactír Academy allow Emily to tap into her creative side, it gives her the opportunity to affect the lives of youth in such a positive way.

Emily Wolff, TCRG

Ciara Reynolds

Owner | Director | Head Coach | Chief Choreographer

Assistant Director | Coach | Director - Wolf Pup Program

Ciara has been dancing and teaching in the Twin Cities since 1995. She began her dancing career at Saint Paul Irish Dancers, and continued her teaching and performance career at Rince na Chroi Irish Dance School where Ciara and Emily taught together for several years. Ciara has performed with many local and international bands such as Gaelic Storm, Natalie MacMaster, Eileen Ivers, Katie McMahon, The Chieftans, The Young Dubliners, Two Tap Trio, Myserk, and Tom Dahill.

Ciara has been an integral member of the Mactír community from it's founding in 2013 working alongside Emily at performances, competitions, and everything in between. Ciara's strong passion for working with children lead her to a bachelors in Child Psychology, and Masters in Special Education from the University of MN. Ciara now teaches on Wednesday and Thursday evenings working with dancers of all ages and abilities.

Liz started dancing with Mactir in the fall of 2014, & joined the teaching staff in 2016. Liz is originally from Detroit, MI, & has been practicing Irish dance since 1996! In Michigan, she danced with the O'Hare School of Irish Dance & later Leim Irish Dance at the University of Michigan. When she's not dancing, Liz teaches Environmental Science and Biology to high school students with a focus on social justice, & gets outside as much as possible. She & her husband Niko live in Minneapolis.

Liz Dengate

Head Coach - Beginner Adult Program

Cleo McGuigan

Assistant Coach

Cleo started dancing with Mactir in the fall of 2015 & began coaching in the spring of 2022, the same year she graduated from an arts high school as a dance major. She loves working with dancers, especially Mactir's youngest Wolf Pups. Her passion for working with children has also led to other childcare roles outside of dance. A Minneapolis local, Cleo is grateful to be a part of and contribute to the amazing Mactir community.

Brogan Frey

Junior Coach

Brogan started dancing with Mactir in the summer of 2015, & became a coach in 2024. Brogan coaches a variety of age groups, from the youngest Wolf Pups all the way up through the adults. Brogan has competed at Oireachtas, taking part in both team and traditional set competitions. She has also danced with many different musicians including Two Tap Trio, We Banjo 3, & Ally the Piper. Outside of dance, Brogan enjoys singing in her school choir, volunteering with her girl scout troop, and reading.

Neave Hennessy

Junior Coach

Neave began Irish dancing in 2016 with Mactir, and has been coaching since 2024. She has competed at the Mid America Regionals throughout high school, and has danced with the Timberwolves and bands including Skerryvore, the Byrne Brothers, and Ally the Piper. Outside of dance Neave enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and being captain of her school's girls' golf team.

Payten Miller-Zarambo

Junior Coach

Payten has been Irish dancing since 2011, & has been with Mactir since 2018. She has competed at multiple regional & national competitions and has danced with bands such as Ally the Piper, The Byrne Brothers, & Skerryvore. Payten is a senior at Central High School & is looking forward to participating in this year's fall musical as well as being a captain of the girl's golf team.

Kristina Rexroth

Junior Coach

Kristina has been dancing at Mactir since 2017 and became a coach in 2025. When she isn't dancing, she enjoys singing, fiddling, and helping out at the studio. She has been competing since 2020 and has competed at multiple regional competitions. Kristina loves working with younger dancers and is excited to meet all the newcomers joining the Wolf Pack!

Rose Thompson

Junior Coach

Rose started Irish dance with Mactir in 2015 & started coaching in the fall of 2024. Rose regularly competes, has gone to Oireachtas multiple times, and has danced for the Timberwolves, the Byrne Brothers, & Ally the Piper. Outside of dance, Rose is busy being the captain of her cross country and nordic skiing teams. She also takes part in theater and enjoys creative hobbies.

Cecilia Vitullo-Shelton

Junior Coach

CC has been dancing with Mactir since 2016 and started coaching in the Fall of 2025. CC has been competing since 2018 and has been apart of both team and solo competitions at Oireachtas. Outside of dance CC also plays competitive golf and is fluent in Spanish. She loves working with kids and can't wait to welcome you to the studio!

Jade Weller

Junior Coach

Jade has been dancing with Mactir since 2015 and began coaching in the spring of 2025. She has danced with international musicians including Skerryvore, Ally the Piper, and the Byrne Brothers. As a multi-instrumentalist, she's admired the live performances from the musicians and the opportunity to perform with them. She is studying for her TCRG and hopes to study Kinesiology in the future.

Berit Wicker

Junior Coach

Berit started dancing at Mactir in 2013 and started coaching in the spring of 2025. They have danced with international musical artists such as Skerryvore, the Byrne Brothers, We Banjo 3, and Ally the Piper. When not dancing, Berit is busy being a captain of their high school's robotics team and studying in hopes of becoming an aerospace engineer.