Rebecca McCarthy
Founder & Director | Choreographer | Educator | Performing Artist
With more than 33 years of professional experience in dance, Rebecca McCarthy has built a career dedicated to teaching, performing, choreography, and creating meaningful opportunities for dancers of all ages.
As the Founder and Director of Rebecca McCarthy School of Dance and Founder and Artistic Director of The McDance Company, Ms. McCarthy has developed programs and performance experiences that challenge dancers to grow technically, artistically, and personally.
Educational Background
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Additional Dance Studies
University of Michigan — ACDFA
University of Florida
Certified Pilates Instructor
Polestar Pilates
Additional Training
OOV Training — Daniel Vladeta
Polestar Pilates — Training with Brett Anderson and Dannielle Holder
Dance & Performance Experience
Ms. McCarthy’s extensive training encompasses:
Ballet • Pointe • Jazz • Tap • Modern • Contemporary • Lyrical • Creative Dance • Irish Step Dance • Pilates
Her professional career has taken her throughout the United States and internationally, with performance, teaching, and choreography opportunities in:
Ireland • Germany • England • Alaska • Chicago • San Antonio • Branson • Walt Disney World
Selected Performance Credits
Featured Performer — The Laurels, Killarney, Ireland
Featured Performer — The Nutcracker (1990–2002)
Soloist — Kirchweihfest, Gersthofen, Germany
Soloist — Irish Presentation for Capt. Richard Mahn, Aberdeen, Maryland
Soloist — Annie Get Your Gun, Can-Can, and Guys and Dolls, Chicago
Rehearsal Instructor — Moscow Ballet Company, The Nutcracker
Guest Instructor — Gabby Thompson School of Dance, Heidelberg, Germany
Guest Instructor — Ausbildung Ballettschule, Munich, Germany
Guest Instructor — Orleans School, London, England
Guest Instructor — Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Alaska
McDance Company
Founder & Artistic Director | 2000–Present
Founded in 2000, The McDance Company is a national award-winning performance company created to provide dancers with opportunities to perform, travel, collaborate, and experience dance beyond the traditional studio setting.
Under Ms. McCarthy’s direction, McDance has performed throughout the United States and internationally, including engagements in Ireland, Germany, Alaska, Walt Disney World, Chicago, and Missouri.
Selected Performance & Choreography Credits
Ms. McCarthy has created and directed choreography and performances for:
Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade
DePaul University
University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Iowa
Northwestern University
Walt Disney World
Branson, Missouri
Rockford IceHogs
Schaumburg Boomers
Numerous schools, theaters, community events, and private productions
Choreography & Guest Artist Work
Ms. McCarthy’s choreography extends beyond her own studio, with work spanning musical theatre, film, school productions, competitive dance, pom, variety shows, and live entertainment.
Selected Choreography Credits
Guest Choreographer — Second City Chicago
Choreographer — Break Away, directed by Michael McCracken
Musical Theatre & Stage Productions — Local Schools and Performing Arts Programs
Guest Artist — The Raue Center for the Arts
Choreographer — Crystal Lake Strikers
Choreography for schools, musicals, plays, pom routines, variety shows, and community productions
Her choreography has also been broadcast on WGN, ABC, and CBS.
Awards & Recognition
Founder — National Award-Winning McDance Company
Who’s Who Among Professionals — 2008
Best Dance Studio — Algonquin Awards Program, 2016
Best Irish Organization — City of Chicago, 2014
Scholarship Recipient — University of Illinois
Scholarship Recipient — University of Iowa
Scholarship Recipient — Hope College, Michigan
Teaching Philosophy
For Rebecca McCarthy, dance education extends far beyond learning steps.
Her teaching philosophy combines strong technical training, musicality, physical strength, artistry, discipline, and individuality. She believes dancers should be challenged to work hard while developing the confidence to express themselves and discover their own unique voice as performers.
After more than three decades in the dance world, Ms. McCarthy remains passionate about creating experiences that stay with dancers long after they leave the studio.
Her greatest reward is not simply watching a dancer master a difficult movement—it is seeing the moment that dancer begins to believe in themselves.
Through dance, she strives to help students develop the skills and qualities that carry into every area of life: confidence, perseverance, creativity, teamwork, discipline, and the courage to step outside their comfort zone.
Community & The Next Generation
Ms. McCarthy has spent her career building relationships with local schools, artists, theaters, and community organizations while creating opportunities for young performers to experience dance in new and exciting ways.
Whether teaching in the studio, choreographing a production, directing a performance company, or working with dancers on an international stage, her mission remains consistent:
“To inspire dancers to work hard, embrace their individuality, find joy in the process, and discover what they are capable of becoming.”
