Tara Barry-Phelan

Dancer and actress Tara Barry-Phelan performed with Riverdance the Show, the internationally-acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance, since its inception in Dublin, Ireland in 1995 through 2003.

Born in County Cork, Ireland, Tara’s Irish dancing career began at the tender age of three with the renowned Cowhie-Ryan School of Irish Dancing in her hometown of Cobh.   In her pursuit of excellence, Tara won her first Munster Championship at the age of seven and went on to win 2 World Championship titles, 6 All-Ireland Championships, 2 British Nationals and 10 Munster Championships.

By the age of eighteen, Tara was asked to join the cast of Riverdance the Show where her career began as a dancer and under-study to the main female lead.

By 1997 Tara had danced on three continents and in hundreds of cities around the world including such locations as Dublin, London, New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Belfast, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Toronto, Montreal and Mexico City.  Her hard work and dedication was rewarded in 2000 when she was named the Female Lead Dancer of the Lagan Company of Riverdance touring North and South America.

In 2001, Tara was nominated as “Best Actress” for the National Broadway Theatre Awards for “Principle Dancer” in Riverdance the Show.

Since completing the tour, Tara has choreographed and worked on numerous Television Commercials and was featured as a “Celebrity Teacher” on “America’s Got Talent – Season 1.”

Presently, Tara is teaching Irish Dance clinics and workshops throughout the United States and Canada.

Tara and her husband are the proud parents of three daughters and presently reside in Southern California.