About Our School

Colleen Kenny | Owner / T.C.R.G.

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Colleen Kenny began her Irish dance journey at the age of 4 alongside her two older sisters under the fabulous instruction of Patricia Murphy. Fascinated by her older sisters reaching the champion level, Colleen did not want to be left behind and she worked her way to the Preliminary Champion level by the age of 8 and competed at her first Eastern Regional Oireachtas under 9. She recalled and ever since she has been hooked!

Colleen has competed all across the country and in Ireland, but what she cherishes most are the shows and fun memories of her dance friendships. From dancing on Carnegie Hall to performing at nursing homes, she quickly realized there is so much more to the magic of Irish dance than just competing. She signed up for every show she could perform at, and she also started to help Mrs. Murphy with teaching classes! She loved every little thing about Irish dance and proudly performed it whenever she had the chance.

Throughout college, Colleen would come home to participate in practices for Patricia Murphy’s award-winning dance dramas. Her team won the regionals twice and it was a great way to end her competitive career. She graduated college and worked in Manhattan in PR and advertising for Bonnier corporation and was given an opportunity to work in Australia. As her career was taking off, she knew deep down inside that something was missing. She went out to lunch with a coworker one day and was asked what her dream job would be. Without hesitation, Colleen responded, “to own a dance studio.” That night as she rode on the train home, she realized it was now or never and never looked back. She quit her city job and went full force into her studying to get her T.C.R.G. license. She managed a restaurant, worked at an accounting office, and returned back to dance where her heart belonged.

After two years of studying, she took her exam and passed it on the first try! After a year of teaching with Patricia Murphy, Patty announced that she was going to retire, and Colleen was given the opportunity to purchase the school and make it her own. The D’Arcy School launched in June 2016.

In the past 7 years, Colleen has established a warm and caring environment that welcomes dancers of all ages, whether they want to compete or just dance as a hobby, into the studio. The D’Arcy School has 3 locations in NJ with just over 130 students ranging from 3 to 70 years old! The biggest things Colleen stresses in her school are to have FUN and to enjoy the journey. 

Shawn Kenny | Owner

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Shawn Kenny is Miss Colleen’s husband who is the behind-the-scenes glue that holds the school together. His 100% support and dedication to Colleen and the school has made it possible for continued growth and success.

Jacklyn Mazzarisi | Senior Dancer/Assistant Teacher

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Jacklyn began Irish dancing at the age of 13 with the Patricia Murphy School, and has been with the D’Arcy School of Irish Dance since its inception 2016! With the D’Arcy School, she has competed at the local, regional, and national level in solo competitions. Some of her favorite competitive memories include competing at the 2019 World Championships with the dance drama team, and dancing at her first National Championships in 2023! She realized her passion for Irish dancing was not just on stage but also in the studio, helping in classes of all levels. Under the guidance of her teacher and mentor Miss Colleen, Jacklyn began assisting in classes and found the joy of teaching the next generation of Irish dancers! She is currently on the path to taking her TCRG exam- having completed grade exams 1-9, and is excited to finish her last three exams!

Jen Petrillo | Assistant Teacher

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At the age of 9, Jen was captivated by the show “Riverdance” and knew that she wanted to learn how to dance like that. She soon found the Seery School of Irish Dance and began learning from Rosemary Seery. After several years of dancing and competing with the Seery School, Jen joined the DeNogla Academy of Irish Dance for a few years in middle school and high school. Jen always enjoyed dancing for others, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, whether it was local nursing home residents, or classmates and teachers during the school day.

In college, Jen loved being a part of the Providence College Irish Dance Club. The club did several shows each school year, and Jen enjoyed the opportunity to learn choreography from fellow club members, and to choreograph a few numbers herself. A few years after college, Jen had the opportunity to re-connect with Rosemary Seery and assisted with her classes. After Rosemary passed away in 2016, several of her students found a new home in the nurturing community of the D’Arcy School of Irish Dance.

Shortly after getting married in 2017, Jen, too found a new home with the D’Arcy family. Jen loved being a part of the adult class, and was honored when Colleen invited her to assist with the Fair Haven classes on Fridays. Jen enjoys working with the beginner students as they discover their love for Irish dance. She is deeply grateful for the friendship and support of Jacklyn and Colleen, and the opportunity to be part of Team D’Arcy.

Her favorite Irish dance memory was at her wedding reception. Jen and her husband Nick had choreographed their first dance to the choral part of the Riverdance title track. When the music changed into a slip jig, Jen surprised their guests by breaking into a slip jig step, in her wedding dress.

Elena Dibiase | Yoga Instructor

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Elena DiBiase began her yoga journey over 20 years ago taking classes in a small studio in NY.  She is explored vinyasa, yin and hot yoga styles.  She furthered her love of the practice and began teaching about 3 years ago offering vinyasa, yin and gentle restorative classes.  She has taught at fundraisers, yoga festivals, virtually, pop up classes as well as weekly at the Atlantic Club and EZE fitness.  She is a licensed occupational therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience.  She is a mom and a wife.  She offers yoga classes, meditation and private sessions.

Joan E. (Duffy) Ruane

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Joan E. (Duffy) Ruane, was born and raised in Essex County where her father was a founding member and first President of the Irish American Society of the Oranges.  Joan attended the Peggy Smith School of Irish Dancing for many years, and, when Peggy closed her Newark location, transferred to the Peter Smith School of Irish Dancing.

After relocating to Ocean County, Joan’s daughters, Siobhan and Sheelagh, attended the Patricia Murphy School of Irish Dance where Joan assisted the Parents’ Association and chaired the first Patricia Murphy Feis in 1993.  She has continued to chair that Feis (now D’Arcy School Jersey Shore Feis) for the past 30 years.

A retired Registered Nurse, with certifications in Critical Care and Hospital Administration, Joan has, since 1967, coordinated the Annual Easter Sunday Commemorative March and Mass in Newark at Saint Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral.   

Joan is always available to help with Feis questions, rules, etc.    murphyfeismom@hotmail.com. 

Robert & Pauline Nicosia

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Pauline, aka P-Dawg, is the heart of D’Arcy. In fact, it was P-Dawg’s parents, Bridget and Andrew D’Arcy who came from Ireland to America for a better life. The school was named in honor of her parents. You will see P-Dawg at classes and feisanna always supporting our
dancers. She is there for the parents to calm their nerves and the students to lift up their spirits. We absolutely love our P-Dawg.

Bob, aka Bob the Builder, is the happiest man you will ever meet who is always the first to help with anything Miss Colleen or the studio needs. Need a ladder? He is there in two minutes. Need help cleaning? You can count on Bob. You name it, he is there. He is also the
man who made our epic feis podium!

Ken Bizup | Athletes Mental Trainer

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Ken Bizup is the Athletes Mental Trainer™. He is a sought-after professional resource on the mindset principles that help athletes reach new levels of performance and personal success. He is a certified Sport Psychology and Mental Performance coach specializing in Repetitive Sports Performance Problems (RSPPs) and Sport Trauma resolution. He has a sport science background in Applied Neuroscience and Neuromuscular/Neurocognitive strength and conditioning. Exercise therapy specializations for Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. He is the founder and director of Athletes Mental Trainer™ and Neuro Agility Fitness™.

Ken has been a competitive athlete for the majority of his life. He competed in the following sports – Baseball, Football, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Track and Field, Kickboxing, and various styles of Martial Arts. He currently competes as an NPC, and IFBB bodybuilder in the masters division. 

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