MFA History
Founded in August 2025 by Ethan Montgomery Frank TCRG following his successful completion of the TCRG examination in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, The Montgomery Frank Academy officially opened its doors on September 1, 2025.
Originally established in Orlando, the Academy soon expanded to Viera, serving dancers and families throughout Central Florida and the Space Coast.
The Montgomery Frank Academy is a CLRG-registered school under An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), the oldest and largest governing body for Irish dancing worldwide. Founded in Dublin in 1929, CLRG establishes international standards for Irish dance instruction, examinations, competitions, adjudication, and teacher certification. Registration with CLRG reflects our commitment to preserving the traditions and standards of Irish dance while providing dancers with a structured and recognized path for training and competition.
From our first competitive season, the Academy established a strong presence. In our inaugural year, our dancers earned top-five finishes at the Southern Region Oireachtas and top-thirty placements at the World Irish Dancing Championships, making The Montgomery Frank Academy the only first-year Irish dance school in Central Florida to achieve both distinctions.
Director/ head Instructor:
Ethan Montgomery Frank, TCRG
Ethan Montgomery Frank, TCRG, is an Irish dance teacher, choreographer, and performer dedicated to developing confident, high-achieving dancers.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, Ethan began Irish dancing at the age of three with the Whelan Kennelly Academy under Patricia Kennelly, ADCRG; Sean Collins, TCRG; Sharon Whelan-MacSweeney, ADCRG; and Sheila Gallagher, TCRG. He progressed through the competitive ranks with a strong technical foundation, while also training in the traditional rhythmic “Kerry style” passed from Jeremiah Molenaux to Patricia Kennelly’s father in Listowel, Co. Kerry. Throughout his early career, he also worked with respected instructors, including Sondra Greene, ADCRG; Myra Watters, ADCRG; and JR Walker, ADCRG.
At 18, Ethan made the pivotal decision to relocate to Columbus, Ohio, to train at The Academy Irish Dance Co., one of the most competitive schools in the world. Under the direction of World Champions Byron Tuttle, ADCRG; Edward Searle, ADCRG; Mary Caitrin Lynch, TCRG; and Macaulay Selwood, he trained in a demanding, high-level environment that further shaped his technique and discipline. It was during this period that Ethan reached the peak of his competitive career and refined the standard of training that now informs his own teaching.
Ethan’s competitive achievements include Top 5 at the Great Britain Championships, Top 15 at the All-Ireland Championships, Top 10 at the North American National Championships, and a runner-up finish at the Mid-America Oireachtas, along with numerous championship and céilí titles across the United States.
In addition to his competitive career, Ethan has performed on major stages internationally. He has toured with Celtic Angels (North American Tour) and Celtic Illusion (Australian Tour), appeared at the Dublin Irish Festival in Ohio, and performed alongside well-known Irish traditional bands including The Chieftains, Gaelic Storm, and JigJam.
In 2025, Ethan earned his TCRG certification in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, becoming a registered teacher with An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG). Later that year, he founded The Montgomery Frank Academy, where his students have already achieved strong early results, including Top 5 placements at the Southern Region Oireachtas, Top 30 placements at the CLRG World Irish Dancing Championships, and Top 20 placements at the North American Irish Dance Championships.
Ethan’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that Irish dance is not one-size-fits-all. He is committed to providing individualized training that helps each dancer reach their full potential while building confidence, discipline, and a lasting appreciation for the art form.
Our Mission
At The Montgomery Frank Academy, our morals are rooted in Dedication, Passion, and Tradition.
It is our mission to inspire, challenge, and uplift every dancer who walks through our doors. Whether your child is looking to be competitive or just enjoy the artistic sport of Irish Dancing, there is a place for everyone. At The Montgomery Frank Academy, students are not just numbers; they are mentored, guided, and empowered to chase their dreams and reach their absolute fullest potential. In his classroom, dancers exude confidence, set bold goals, and develop the resilience to reach them.
Dancing with Ethan means learning from someone who has fought for every success and knows exactly what it takes to turn dreams into reality. He believes Irish dance is more than just competition; it’s a transformative journey that teaches children unforgettable life lessons. If you’re seeking a teacher who will ignite your child’s passion, push them to their highest potential, and guide them with personalized coaching, The Montgomery Frank Academy is the fit for you.
Train with Ethan.
Dance with the best.
Achieve the impossible.
MFA DANCERS
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