Susannah started her Irish Dancing career at the age of 7, here in Colorado, under the instruction of Maureen Hall.  In early 1997 she moved to Columbus, Ohio and joined Richens-Timm Academy. Susannah was at the tp of her competition in the Western Region, the Mid-America Region, and at the  North American Irish Dance Championships.  She also qualified for and competed multiple times at the World Championships. 

In 1998 she auditioned for Riverdance and joined the first American Riverdance-Flying Squad.  Susannah toured the United States with Riverdance for 3 years, including the finale performances with the original North American Riverdance troupe, The Lee Company. In 2009 she received her teaching certificate (TCRG) from the Irish Dancing Commission and along with her best friend Jennifer, opened the Moriarty-Moffitt School of Irish Dance with several locations across northern Colorado and in Wyoming.

After 10 wonderful years of teaching together, Jennifer decided to retire from teaching dance thus forming the new launch of the school as, the Avoca Irish Dance Academy!

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In June of 2022, Susannah passed her ADCRG exam an has enjoyed adjudicating dance competitions across the 

United States!

August 2, 2022

We are thrilled to announce the beginning of a wonderful new association between the Avoca Irish Dance Academy (Longmont, CO) taught by Susannah Ruehlen ADCRG and the Connolly Academy of Irish Dance (Lakewood, CO) taught by Louise Connolly ADCRG. These two schools have each operated separately with great success for more than 14+ years each. With like-minded passion and values, we are excited for what is to come as Sister Schools

Amanda began her dancing career in 2008 taking lessons from Jennifer and Susannah as their first and only student! Amanda has worked hard as an Open Championship dancer and has enjoyed many achievements including dancing on the Senior Ladies team and receiving 12th Place at the 2019 World Championships.   Amanda loves to perform and has spent 2 summers dancing with the Riverdance Summer Camp in Boston. She has completed her 12 Grade Exams and looks forward to taking  her TCRG Certification.   Amanda enjoys teaching our Beginner dancers almost as much as they enjoy her!

My name is Dayna Spence and I have been dancing since I was 10 years old. I started my dance career when Susannah came to my elementary school to teach an Irish dancing after school camp, and I’ve loved it ever since. Irish dancing has become a huge part of my life. I am currently in the highest level of competition and I have been able to travel across the world for dance competitions and camps. I also love dancing on our 8-hand teams and have a passion for performing. Later in my dance career I have really enjoyed teaching our younger students and watching them grow. I am also excited about working toward earning my TCRG and becoming I certified Irish dance teacher someday. 

Moriah has been dancing for pver 30 years. She began dancing with the McTeggart School in Denver and stayed with them for 14 years. She has competed at the Regional and National levels, placing 3 at the Regional  Competition in 1995.  

Over the years Moriah has  moved many times and have danced with many different dance schools.  She has  learned many techniques and styles from lots of great teachers.   Moriah began teaching in 2000.  She has  taught at many Irish dance schools and for the Parks and Recs in Colorado, California and Washington.
She loves teaching beginners and introducing Irish dance to new people.  She also regularly performs with The Michael Collins Pipes and Drums.