Dancers of all ages 5 years and older are welcome. You may or may not dance competitively or at shows as you choose, but we encourage you to fully participate in all school activities. You decide which avenues to pursue - Feisianna, Shows, Culture, Fitness or all of these. We will teach on an equal basis to every dancer to the best of our ability. If you have the desire and determination we promise you will be an Irish Dancer! We have locations in Michigan, Ohio and Canada.
John Heinzman II, A.D.C.R.G.
John began dancing at the age of 5 with Breda McGowan and continued with her for 5 years, he then danced with Ron Plummer for 4 years and Tim O'Hare for 1 year. John danced in competition for 10 years and reached the level of Open Championships eventually taking a 4th and 3rd place at the Oireachtas. John is certified in all forms of Irish Dance with a Teaching Certificate Rince Gelacha - TCRG. This was gained by passing 5 very difficult exams, a Step Dance teaching exam, a Ceili teaching exam, a performance exam and a music exam. John opened the Heinzman School of Irish Dance with Liz in 1994 at St. Pat's church in Wyandotte with 12 students.
Liz Heinzman, T.C.R.G.
Liz began dancing at the tender age of 3 1/2 years. She danced with Breda McGowan from 1970-74, Ron Plummer from 1974-1978 and June Butler from 78-82. Liz continued to dance and compete until the age of 14 and reached the Championship level. Liz placed 3rd at North American Championships and 2nd place at Mid-West Regionals. Liz began teaching with her brother John in 1994 in Wyandotte and has also earned her Teaching Certificate Rince Gelacha - TCRG.
Eileen Trout
Eileen began dancing with Breda McGowan at the age of 5. She danced with Breda until she was 12, with Brenda Marquis until she was 14, and then with Ron Plummer. She reached the Championship level, placing 4th at the North American Oireachtas and competing at the Oireachtas Rince Na Crouinne (World Championship of Irish Dance). Eileen began teaching with the Heinzman School in the year 2000.
Marie Heinzman T.M.R.F.
Marie began her dance career as an adult with the Heinzman School of Irish Dance in 1996. She competed up to the Championship level earning entry into the Oireachtas and competed at the World Championships in 2002, in Glasgow, Scotland. Marie has since been teaching with the School.
Kitty Heinzman T.M.R.F.
The matriarch of the Heinzman family, Kitty teaches Ceili dance at the Gaelic League on Fridays, and at the AOH on Tuesdays.
Shannon Thoms T.C.R.G.
Shannon began dancing at the age of 4 at the local Irish Club in Sudbury, Ontario. When her family moved to Windsor, Ontario, she began taking competitive lessons at the Gaelic League in Detroit from the O’Cealliagh School. Shannon also took lessons from the Fearon School and O’Donnell School or Irish Dance. She competed in the Championship level at the Canadian Eastern Oireachtas and the North American Championships. In 2000, Shannon formed Celtic Rhythm Irish Dance Academy after passing her TMRF; she also has her TCRG which she passed in 2002.
Jourdy Bancroft, TCRG
Jourdy started dancing under the instruction of Shannon Thoms and Ann Marie O’Donnell in Windsor, Ontario at the age of 7. She then transferred to the Goggin- Carroll school where she reached the championship level and competed at many Oireachtasi, as well as the North American National Championships. Jourdy started teaching with the Ardán Academy in 2007 and passed her TCRG exam in 2011.
Our Instructors
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