 Michael Payne T.C.R.G
Michael started dancing at the age of 4 with the Trainor School of Irish dancing in London and ever since that day his passion for the art grew and grew. He progressed quickly into open and started competing nationally at a young age. Michael has taken part in numerous competitions internationally including the All Irelands, Worlds and Great Britains to name but a few. His main accomplishments include 2nd place at the British Nationals and 3rd place at the Great Britain championships. He has also qualified for the World Championships on numerous occassions.
At the age of 16, Michael joined the cast of Lord of the Dance on their UK tour and spent 3 months in the troupe, performing in Hyde Park and Bournemouth. He decided to continue his studies and returned to school to study for his A levels. Having achieved three good A levels, Michael went on to study Accounting and Finance at Bournemouth University and three years later achieved a first class honours degree.
In 2006, Michael went on to do a teachers training course at Goldsmiths University in London and passed in 2007. He now teaches mathematics in a secondary school in London.
Michael decided to start studying for his T.C.R.G exam in the summer of 2007. After months of vigorous preparation, he took his exam in Derry during November of 2007 and passed.
The Payne Academy of Irish dancing was established by Michael Payne T.C.R.G on the 2nd June 2008. Both adult ceili classes and children solo classes are held in Grange Park in North London.
 Annie Payne - Assistant dance instructor
Annie started dancing at the young age of 3 with the Trainor School. She soon started competing locally and it didn't take her long to get up into the open catergory.
Annie began to compete internationally, including the All Ireland championships in Ireland and the All American Nationals in Philadelphia. She has been placed highly in many competitions and has also taken part in many exhibitions across the UK.
Annie retired from dancing at the age of 17 as she moved on to concentrate on her academic studies.
She is now an assistant teacher at the Payne Academy and hopes to follow Michael's footsteps one day and take her T.C.R.G exam.
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