A native of Alexandria (Virginia, not Egypt!), Meaghan's interest in dance was sparked early on in life. At the age of two, after being taken to a Chieftain's concert by her parents, Meaghan became enthralled with the world champion Irish step dancer that performed with them. During the concert, she jumped to the aisle and immediately began trying to imitate what the step dancer was doing!

Growing up, there was always music of some Celtic origin being played around the house, and she would spend hours "dressing up" and dancing to the music. Being home schooled from the 2nd grade all the way through her senior year in high school, Meaghan's parents blessed her with plenty of time for creativity, and she thanks them for it.

In 1998, Meaghan began trying out for local musical theatre productions. While she had not yet taken formal dance lessons with any company, she didn't let that stop her, and usually landed dancing roles in these productions.
Two years later, she decided to move on from theatre for a while to devote more time to numerous dance classes throughout the DC area. Her first formal dance training began with swing dance in Friendship Heights, MD. While swing dancing was a tremendous amount of fun, it was ballet that stole Meaghan's heart, or, feet rather. It was challenging, it was poetic, it was beautiful, but above all, it was fun. She credits her outstanding teachers, especially Leigh Ann Tahash, at the Joy of Motion Dance Center in D.C. for sharing their passion for dance with her and inspiring her to never quit dancing. Meaghan stayed with the Joy of Motion studio from 2000 - 2005, studying ballet, jazz, modern, Irish, and stretch and alignment.

Meaghan began taking an interest in yet another form of dance in 2003: Middle Eastern, or Belly Dance. Her training comes from the true Gypsy fashion, learning from friends, learning from her travels, pulling from many different styles and sources to form her own unique style. She began experimenting with fusing different forms, and discovered that mixing Irish step dance and Scottish Highland dancing with Belly Dance in a show, or even a dance, actually fit.
She then began She tweaked and practiced, and in 2005, Celtic Gypsies was formed.

During the summer of 2006, Meaghan attended the Dance Masters of America Teacher's Training School in Buffalo, NY, and successfully completed level one of their training program to become a certified dance teacher some day. She began teaching weekly Belly Dance classes in 2008 in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Currently Meaghan in living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in a 230 year-old home with her wonderful husband, Eddie. The two met and fell in love while both were working at the Virginia Renaissance Faire. Eddie was drumming for a belly dance troupe (ironically not Meaghan's!) and Meaghan was a vender selling her costumes (StrikeDaekins.com) along with her sister Brynn. Their shop was right across from the stage. They were married the following summer on July 7th, 2007.

Meaghan stays very busy these days! In addition to Celtic Gypsies, Meaghan is also a founding member of the Irish band, Whiskey Wagon, where she plays mandolin, djembe, bodhran, tin whistle, and sings and dances! She is also the webmaster for both the dance troupe and the band, and runs her own website business from home. That website can be visited at TheHowlingMouse.com.
Finally, Meaghan is also an accomplished seamstress, and has designed clothes and accessories for the stage and Renaissance Faires and runs yet another website and company from home, Designs by Strike Daekins. www.StrikeDaekins.com

In her spare time, Meaghan avidly enjoys knitting, gardening, good coffee, animals, and the outdoors.

Send Meaghan email here.