Hailing from his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, Owen Barrington began dancing at the relatively late age of 12 and by age 15 began his competitive Irish dance career under the instruction of famous teacher and choreographer Tony Comerford A.D.C.R.G.
In spite of his late start, he became the first Alaskan to reach Open Champion status and was also the first to qualify for the World Irish Dancing Championships. In 2005, Owen joined the internationally acclaimed touring show “Riverdance” and has since performed all across North America. He has been featured on several hit T.V. shows including “Dancing with the Stars”, “Good Morning L.A.” and “Canada AM”, as well as co-choreographing and performing the lead dancer role in the Emmy nominated and award winning PBS special “Michael Londra’s Beyond Celtic”. He has performed for audiences and dignitaries throughout the world, in many cases dancing the lead role in such shows as “Celtic Fire” and “Celtic Yuletide”, and has also shared the stage with famous performers like The Chieftains, De Dannan, Eileen Ivers, Natalie MacMaster, and Alasdair Frasier.
Owen retired from competitive Irish dancing with countless local and regional winnings, as well as career titles including twice Western U.S. Regional Champion, twice North American Champion, the 2008 All-Ireland Champion, and the 2008 Senior Men’s World Champion. Due to these accomplishments, in 2009 Owen was honored to be featured in "Irish America Magazine."
He holds a bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington, and in 2011 took and passed his exams to become a certified T.C.R.G. with An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha; licensing him to teach competitive Irish dancing. It has been Owen’s dream to teach and choreograph so that he can pass on the joy, passion, discipline, tradition, and life-enriching experiences Irish dancing has to offer, and he is honored to realize that dream with his partners Erin Cass T.C.R.G. and Laura Cass T.C.R.G. at the Cass-Barrington Academy of Irish Dance.
In spite of his late start, he became the first Alaskan to reach Open Champion status and was also the first to qualify for the World Irish Dancing Championships. In 2005, Owen joined the internationally acclaimed touring show “Riverdance” and has since performed all across North America. He has been featured on several hit T.V. shows including “Dancing with the Stars”, “Good Morning L.A.” and “Canada AM”, as well as co-choreographing and performing the lead dancer role in the Emmy nominated and award winning PBS special “Michael Londra’s Beyond Celtic”. He has performed for audiences and dignitaries throughout the world, in many cases dancing the lead role in such shows as “Celtic Fire” and “Celtic Yuletide”, and has also shared the stage with famous performers like The Chieftains, De Dannan, Eileen Ivers, Natalie MacMaster, and Alasdair Frasier.
Owen retired from competitive Irish dancing with countless local and regional winnings, as well as career titles including twice Western U.S. Regional Champion, twice North American Champion, the 2008 All-Ireland Champion, and the 2008 Senior Men’s World Champion. Due to these accomplishments, in 2009 Owen was honored to be featured in "Irish America Magazine."
He holds a bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington, and in 2011 took and passed his exams to become a certified T.C.R.G. with An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha; licensing him to teach competitive Irish dancing. It has been Owen’s dream to teach and choreograph so that he can pass on the joy, passion, discipline, tradition, and life-enriching experiences Irish dancing has to offer, and he is honored to realize that dream with his partners Erin Cass T.C.R.G. and Laura Cass T.C.R.G. at the Cass-Barrington Academy of Irish Dance.