Stratford, Ontario, Canada-born Dan Stacey (a founding member of the crew) has been quite influential in the evolution of Canadian fiddling and Ottawa Valley Stepdancing. He developed his skills on the Ontario competition circuit winning countless awards, becoming a pioneer as the first to compete in both art forms.

Dan made the jump to professional show business in 1998 with a lead role in the Mervish production of “The Needfire” at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. His participation led to a TAPA nomination in the spring of 1999 at the Dora Mavor Awards for outstanding choreography.

For the last 11 years, Dan has been touring the world with such American acts as “Seven Nations” and “Cherish the Ladies” along with such traditional Irish bands as “Dervish”. In 2003 he toured Japan with Donegal legends “Altan” sharing the stage with Paul Brady, Mary Black, Sharon Shannon, and Donal Lunny.

On the Eve of 2009, Dan had the pleasure of performing at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland alongside Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain for the 2008/2009 Hogmanay Celebration which was live to air on the BBC for over 5 million television viewers. He has also recently entertained President Bill Clinton and Bono at the “American Ireland Fund Gala” at the Lincoln Center in New York City which helped raise 10 million dollars for children’s music programs.

DID YOU KNOW THAT HE…

1. Loves flipping the pillow over to the cold side?

2. Movies, movies, movies,……good, bad, tremendous, boring, classic, dog sh*t… movies rule.

3. Cycling in the countryside is one of his life’s simple pleasures.

4. Golfing anywhere is one of his life’s complicated pleasures.

5. Photography is his hobby, resulting photos are his addition to walls of the world. (Want to buy any?)

6. Dan has selective hearing

7. He also is a sub-par joke teller, but one liners……OH BOY OH BOY!

8. In the 5th grade Dan went to school every day wearing a tie along side an attaché case. Alex P. Keaton had a small influence on his young mind.

9. G.U.I.N.N.E.S.S. !!!

10. Records rock songs in his spare time? You never know people…..keep your ears to the ground.