John Timm T.C.R.G., A.D.C.R.G.
John, a World Champion Irish Dancer, started dancing at the age of three under the tutelage of Ann Richens in Dayton, Ohio. He won numerous awards throughout his incredibly successful dancing career, including the Mid America Championships 10 times, North American Championships twice and the Senior Belt of North America. In 1993, John won the Senior Men’s World Championship, earning the highest honor an Irish Dancer can receive and bringing much pride to Ann as her very first World Champion. Shortly after, John earned his teaching certification and they partnered to form the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance. He is a certified and registered adjudicator (ADCRG) and teacher (TCRG) with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha. In June 2008, John was honored nationally with a Presidential Scholar of the Arts Teacher Recognition Award. John was elected the Regional Director of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid America, devoting four years (2005-2009) to the betterment of dancing in Mid America, serving as the region’s representative to An Comisiun in Dublin, Ireland. He has chaired 7 Regional Oireachtasi and a North American Championship. He has passed his dancing passion and expertise on to the next generation training numerous champions in over twenty five years of teaching, including Mid American Regional Champions, North American Champions, two All Ireland Champions and the 2012 Senior Men’s World Champion! Over 15 of John’s pupils have gone on to professional performing careers and a dozen are now certified Irish dance instructors themselves. In addition to teaching, John is a seasoned performer, having toured with Cherish the Ladies, the Boston Pops and a long list of famed traditional musicians as well as headlining his own troupe, the Celtic Foot Force. He holds a dual degree in Marketing and Management from Wright State University. John enjoys directing the Richens/Timm Academy today with his wife, Heather Timm, as they continue the distinguished legacy of Ann Richens.
Heather Timm T.C.R.G., A.D.C.R.G.
Heather was also a champion dancer under Ann Richens’ direction, starting in the Columbus, Ohio class at the age of 6. Heather completed her competitive career at the World Championships in Killarney, Ireland April 2003 finishing on the podium in 5th place. She is one of the most successful female dancers to come from the Richens/Timm Academy. Heather is a fourteen-time World Qualifier, four-time Mid America regional champion, two-time runner-up at the North American Championships, 4th at the Great Britain Championships, 2nd at the All-Ireland Championships, and has won the Best Overseas dancer award. Heather earned her teaching certification in 2003 and went on to earn her adjudicator certification in 2012. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, where she was a University Scholar. While attending Notre Dame, Heather was personally invited by Marie Duffy to join Lord of the Dance but declined to continue her studies. She has enjoyed many professional performing opportunities including touring with the famed Cherish the Ladies, the Boston Pops and travelling to audiences in Russia, Europe and throughout North America. After “retiring” from the Commercial Banking world, Heather has dedicated her full-time work to educating and inspiring the next generation of dancers. Heather has served as Treasurer for the Irish Dance Teacher’s Association of Mid-America for four years. John and Heather enjoy their busy dance and family life with their two children, Donovan and Danica.
Allanda O’Neill T.C.R.G.
Allanda began dancing for the Richens/Timm Academy at the age of 6. She qualified for and competed in the World Championships 7 times. She retired from competition after the World Championships in 1998 and was quickly picked up by “Lord of the Dance” where she studied in London, England for some time. After a short performing career, Allanda returned to her home at Richens/Timm and soon passed her teaching certification exam with An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha. As a certified teacher, Allanda has found a place as a valued instructor at the Richens/Timm where she continues to help young dancers reach the height of their potential. Allanda instructs children at the Dublin, Ohio studio as well as leading the adult program, the Columbus Celtic Dancers.
Liz Jones T.C.R.G.
Liz, a former champion student at the Richens/Timm Academy in Indianapolis, directs the sister school in Tipton, and runs the Thursday classes in addition to teaching the Wednesday classes and Focus classes in Indianapolis. Liz began dancing at the age of 5 and quickly developed a love of all things having to do with Irish Dance. During her competitive career, Liz qualified for the World Championships five times and was ranked as high as 11th in North America. She began assisting in classes as a young teen, went on to earn her TCRG in 2003, and now is a full-time teacher of Irish Dance. Liz holds a degree in art history from DePauw University, where she was a Rector Scholar. Liz is a stickler for the details in Irish dance, and works hard to share her sense of humor while offering constructive criticism to her dancers in an effort to always keep them having fun. She does not expect every dancer to become a champion, but makes an effort to treat them as though it is always a possibility! In her free time, Liz enjoys a busy life in Indianapolis with her husband and two small children, William and Addie.
Andrea Timm Green T.C.R.G.
A former champion dancer at the Dayton and Columbus locations of the Richens/Timm Academy, Andrea began her dancing career at the age of 5. During her competitive career, Andrea qualified for and competed at multiple Mid-America Championships as well as North American Championships. Andrea began assisting in classes as a young teen, fueling her love of teaching. In 2012, Andrea earned her TCRG and is now a full-time Irish dance teacher. As a certified teacher, Andrea instructs both children and adults at the Dayton, Ohio location. Andrea also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Ohio University. Andrea and her husband Andy have four children, Oliver, Pippa, Vera and Calvin.
Olivia O’Sullivan T.C.R.G.
Olivia began dancing with the Richens/Timm Academy in Columbus at the age of 4 under the direction of Ann Richens, John Timm and Heather Timm. During her competitive career, Olivia qualified and competed at the regional and national championship level. In 2008, Olivia began assisting Ann with her classes in Dayton while attending Wright State University. During her time with Ann, Olivia quickly fell in love with teaching, and cherishes the skills she learned before Ann’s sad passing. In 2015, Olivia earned her teaching certificate from An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha, and continues to teach at the Dayton location. Olivia also holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Middle Childhood Education. When Olivia is not teaching, she also works full time as a Human Resources Specialist at Kroger. Olivia, her husband Matt and daughter Keira live in Beavercreek, and love supporting the Dayton school as much as they can!
Margaret Kaster T.C.R.G.
Margaret Kaster is the newest certified instructor at Richens/Timm. She is a former champion at the Richens/Timm Academy in Indianapolis, starting in classes at the age of 4. Margaret enjoyed much competitive success, qualifying for the World Championships seven times, twice placing as the runner-up at Mid America Oireachtas, twice winning the Mid America Oireachtas with her ceili team, and culminating with a coveted World solo medal. In 2022, Margaret earned her teaching certification after a long wait due to Covid-19 pandemic and now is a full-time teacher of Irish dance. Margaret teaches children classes as well as running the Adult program in the Indianapolis studio. She holds a degree in actuarial science from Butler University. In her free time, Margaret enjoys her busy life in Carmel with her husband (when he isn’t deployed) and two small children, Lucas and Londyn.