Tom Bracken, ADCRG, TCRG, and Rosemary Browne, MD, TCRG
of the Bracken School of Irish Dance, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona
More info to come very soon; as with all Irish dance in AZ pages, this is still under major construction.
Championship Bracken Trophy Winners at the Feis in the Desert, including me (second from the right)!
Julian and Tom.
Tom Bracken, ADCRG, is a three-time former Irish National Champion, whose students have placed as high as first in the World Championships. Since 1980, when he opened his school, he has trained 18 World Championship medalists. He moved to the Phoenix area in '95-'96 and has since trained and worked with approximately 20 open and preliminary championship-level Arizonan dancers (I am a part of this number; hooray!), two of which competed in the 1999 Worlds, before moving to California. During the last Western Regional Oireachtas (2000), 7 of his dancers competed, placing as high as 3rd place, EVERYONE was recalled, and 4 qualified to compete in the 2001 Worlds(in past western oireachti, his dancers have taken first place). His performance company has danced numerous times at such theatres as the Herberger, Scottdale Center for the Arts, and the Orpheum, among other prestigious locations. The Phoenix branch of the Bracken school also hosts the Feis in the Desert every February.
Rosemary Browne is an M.D. who recently earned her TCRG. She runs the Tucson branch of the school, which hosts Feile Tucson every year in May. Her daughter, Caitlin, is an open champion, and will be competing in the Worlds this year.
There are approximately 200 dancers in the Bracken school. They vary in age from 5 years old to "adult" (no limit!). There are classes for everyone from beginner to champion. New dancers should call for the class appropriate for their personal needs.
Regular Schedule of Classes
Monday-- Chandler- Jeanne's School of Dance, 610 N. Alma School, (480) 963-6674
Tuesday-- Tucson- On Broadway Studio, Broadway and Kolbe, 296-1383
Wednesday-- Mesa- Jeanne Wright's Studio, 1337 S. Gilbert Rd., 497-4646
Thursday-- West Phoenix- St.s Simon and Jude; Litchfield-Litchfield Elementary
Friday-- Phoenix- Phoenix Dance Academy, 1509 W. Thomas Rd.
Tom can be reached at (480) 699-2455, or by *and this is new* email for further information.
Rosemary Browne, MD, TCRG, who is in charge of the Tucson branch of the school, can be reached at (520) 296-8476, or by email.
Bracken Links
Feile TucsonThe comprehensive web guide to Feile Tucson. Syllabus, entry forms, rules, directions, general infoemation.
An Unofficial Bracken Page
With a focus on Phoenix
An Unofficial Bracken School Page
With a focus upon the Tucson branch of the school.
Bracken Photos
A very nice selection of Bracken Photos, again with a focus upon the Tucson branch of the school.
'The Hunter Terrell Irish Step Dance Index'
Made by Hunter Terrell, Preliminary Champion, of the Bracken School (Phoenix)
Kylie Jones's Website
This is a new and in the works page by Kylie and her mom.(Phoenix)
Bracken Tucson World Championship Qualifiers, 2000
