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ABOUT THE CARA SCHOOL'S INSTRUCTORS
Margy, Maureen and Annmarie
are accomplished Irish Step dancers with many many years of competitive and
performing experience amongst them. As students of the McDade School they
participated in Regional and National competitions in The United States and in
World competitions in Ireland, winning many awards.
Together they started the Cara School and, since its inception in 1998, the
School has grown steadily and its students have had many accomplishments, of
which their teachers are very proud. Although the School is still young, its
students have already been recognized and awarded at the local, regional and
National levels. In addition to receiving numerous awards in competitions, the
School has had many opportunities to perform shows for live audiences. The
chance to perform half-time routines at Saint Joseph’s University basketball
games, perform live on QVC-TV, participate in many parades, and dance at several
nursing homes and charity functions, have all enhanced the experience of Irish
dancing. The dancers are also fortunate to have danced to the live music of
Eileen Ivers, Natalie McMaster, Gaelic Storm, and their favorite local bands -
Blackthorn, The Hooligans, Joe Veasey, The Danny Boys and Misty Isle. The
Dancers continuously look forward to the thrill that comes with showing off
their talents and hard work!
The teachers at the Cara School hope to pass on the tradition of Irish dance,
prepare those who wish to compete so they can do so with success and pride, and
create opportunities for everyone to enjoy the experiences that Irish dancing
offers. The teachers are fully accredited and qualified by the An Coimisiún le
Rincí Gaelacha in Ireland. They are also members of the Irish Dancing Teacher’s
Association of North America (IDTANA) and the Mid- Atlantic Regional Teacher’s
Association.
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Margy Roche Grant, TCRG,
lives in At Glen, PA with her husband John and their five children, Rita, Joseph, Mary, Colm and Julie.
Rita and Mary Rose are dancers. Rita is a very active member of the dance school and currently competes
as a soloist and in teams. Mary Rose statred dancing recently and is looking forward to a bright future
in Irish dancing. Margy is a graduate of Immaculata College.
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Maureen Murray Hegarty, TCRG,
lives in Westchester, PA with her husband Liam and
their four sons, Billy, Patrick, Kevin and Michael. Billy, Patrick, Kevin and Michael all enjoy
competing on teams as well as in solo events. Prior to opening the dance School, Maureen put her
elementary education degree from St.Joseph’s University (‘91) to use as a kindergarten teacher.
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Annmarie Murray Sheehan, TCRG, lives in
lives in Springfield with her husband Tom and their
four children, Aine, Charlie, Owen and Tara. Aine started competing in 2003. Charlie began to compete
in 2006 and Tara began in 2009. Owen, well, maybe someday! Prior to instructing dance, Annmarie graduated
with an Accounting degree from Villanova (’90)
and worked as a cost accountant in the manufacturing industry for nine years.
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Mary Roche Schaffer
joined the teaching staff in 2001. She and her husband Jason are very proud of their three daughters Olivia, Beatrice and Vivian and their son Henry who are very active and successful young dancers. Beatrice joined the class in 2004. Henry joined the class in 2002. Olivia started dancing a few years before Henry and now they all compete in solo and team events. Their youngest daughter Vivian started to compete in January 2010! Everyone looks forward
the day that their youngest son, George, joins the team. The Schaffers reside in At Glen, PA.
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Patricia Gallagher McGonigle
joined the teaching staff in 2002. Patty and her husband Marty have four children--Sean, Catherine, Bridget and Claire.
Patty and the children live in Media, PA. Marty, their wonderful husband and father, passed away suddenly in 2008.
He will always be missed and never forgotten by all who he touched. Patty has recently begun to experience
the dual role of Dancing teacher and "Dancing Mom". Catherine is already a champion solo dancer and Bridget
started competing and performing in 2009. Claire turned two in 2009 and will surely be hopping around soon!
Patty is a 1990 graduate of Saint Joseph’s University and worked for several years in the Marketing field
before reviving her interest in Irish dancing. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Special Education!
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