Rince Na Grada School of Irish Dance

My name is Jolie Kilpatrick. I am married to a wonderful man and we have one lovely son together. I have been a dancer since the ancient age of 14. Most start much younger than I, but my age has never stopped me. I was privileged to have been given a chance to dance by the late Mr. Pat Butler. I enjoyed every minute of the seven years I danced for him before having to say goodbye in March 2007. I now dance for  Pattie Malinowski and the Butler-Sheehan Academy.

Eventually, I will sit and, prayerfully, pass the prestigious TCRG exam to move on as a certified Irish Dance Teacher. This would allow all my students the opportunity to compete in feiseanna around the world. As for right now, I have not yet completed my own goals in competition. Therefore, I do not wish to disqualify myself from competitions by becoming a certified teacher at this time. However, not having the certification does not in any way keep me from being a competent and devoted teacher of Traditional Irish Step Dancing.

For the past two years my husband and I have spent our time on a tiny little island 90 miles north of the coast of Venezuela called, Grenada. During our time there my husband studied medicine while I busied myself about the island. I had the opportunity to see beautiful beaches, waterfalls and rain forests, often from my own back yard. While there I was able to volunteer with many local organizations such as the Grenada SPCA and a few of the local orphanages. We both cherish the memories of that place, but are so happy to be back in the USA!

Currently, my husband and I are living in Grosse Pointe, MI where he is finishing up his last two years of medical school. While here I have been dancing up a storm and putting all my energies into my fun loving son and getting my dream of having a dance school under way.