Click here to learn about all the Instructors at Celtic Steps  celticsteps.org/our-teachers/

​Arizona and New Mexico Instructors

Christopher McGrory, TTCT, TCRG, ADCRG
was born into a very musical family originally hailing from County Donegal.  He began Irish dance lessons at the age of four at the prestigious Cora Cadwell  School of Irish Dance in Dublin, Ireland. By the age of seven, he began to learn  “the box” from his accordion playing father at home. Christopher demonstrated natural talent in both disciplines, and quickly moved up the competitive ranks in both dance and music. At the age twelve he won the coveted All Ireland dance title at the Mansion House in Dublin. A few years later he also won the All-Ireland  championship on accordion. He toured the US twice during his early teens, both playing accordion and dancing. Little did he realize that he would end up  making the US his home in later life.

As a young adult, Christopher obtained an honors level music teaching diploma   (T.T.C.T. ) and taught young musical groups and ceili bands for the Clontarf  branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirinn, the most prominent traditional music organization in Ireland. As well as teaching, he became a much sought after musician the world over, performing across North America, Europe and  Australia.

During that time, Christopher also received his T.C.R.G. degree in Irish dancing from An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, the international Irish Dance Commission. He went on to develop a very successful dance and music academy in the greater Dublin area, teaching hundreds of students traditional Irish music and dance. 

 A highlight of Christopher’s career came in 2003, when he was asked to perform at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, the largest sporting event in the world that year. Christopher was privileged to play at the “ World Village “ during the lunch time banquets, rubbing shoulders with U2, Sting, Elton John, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Farrell at the entertainers marquee.

In late 2004, Christopher made a life changing decision and moved to Tucson, Arizona. In February of 2005, he started teaching Irish dance and music in the southwestern United States- spreading his love and knowledge of Irish culture to a new set of eager students.  Joining forces with Celtic Steps in 2017 has helped to create an even higher standard of Irish dancing in Arizona and New Mexico, and has resulted in even greater achievement for the dancers. 

In 2012, Christopher achieved the highest certification possible for Irish dance, that of adjudicator.  With the ADCRG certification, he now judges Irish dance competitions around the globe. Dance instructor, musician, adjudicator - Christopher is a proven expert in all aspects of Irish dance, and he combines his knowledge with a warm friendly attitude that makes class fun. 

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 Rosemary Browne, MD, TCRG
was born and raised in Connecticut, the daughter of immigrant Irish parents hailing from Counties Longford and Waterford. To keep up with their Irish culture, the family enrolled Rosemary and her four brothers in Irish dance lessons at the Kathleen Mulkerin School of Irish Dance.  Rosemary danced throughout her childhood and enjoyed a very successful competitive career.  Performance highlights include multiple appearances on television and with various Irish cabaret shows, including performing with Carmel Quinn at Carnegie Hall in New York  City.  She was also a featured performer on a dance tour of Ireland during the US Bicentennial festival. 
 
While attending college at Georgetown University, Rosemary joined the Jeanne McGrath School of Irish Dance in northern Virginia.  She continued to compete and perform while studying for a pre-medicine degree.  Her dancing interests then took a  back seat as she completed medical school and residency, and also became a mother to three beautiful children.
 
Upon moving to Arizona, Rosemary took some time off from her medical career to raise her family. At that time she also reconnected with the Irish dance culture, as she now had her own family who needed to learn to dance.  As her children took lessons, Rosemary became more involved. She began  teaching and studying Irish dance in earnest, and obtained her TCRG certification in 1999. Rosemary's daughter Caitlin also went on to have a very successful career in Irish dance, winning high placements at the regional, national and world dance championships during her competitive years.  

Rosemary has been teaching Irish dancing for over 20 years in the Arizona and New Mexico community.  Joining with Celtic Steps in 2017 has been the highlight of her teaching career, and she is delighted to be part of such high caliber instruction in the southwest.   In addition to teaching dance, Rosemary has devoted considerable volunteer time and energy to promoting Irish culture in the Arizona community.   She feels it is a tremendous privilege to teach all students the challenging art of  Irish dancing.  
 
Rosemary is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and the Medical Director of the Home Based Primary Care Program at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.  She is board certified in internal medicine and in geriatric medicine.  She was recently named a Tucson "Top Doc" for Geriatrics, and the 2016 "Geriatrician of the Year" by the Arizona Geriatrics Society..

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