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In 2012, we celebrate our 50th anniversary!
The late Maureen McDade McGrory founded the McDade School of Irish Dance in 1962. Maureen began
step dancing as a teenager. Her father, Jimmy McDade, was the leader of "The All-Ireland Orchestra," which
played at most of the main Irish events in the Philadelphia area, and Maureen often tagged along with her
father to listen to the band and watch the dancing. Though a native-born American, Maureen became fascinated
with the dancing and begged her parents for lessons. Her request was granted, and she began studying with the
late Sean Lavery, who was one of the leading dancers and teachers in the Philadelphia area. After the
death of Sean, Maureen decided to begin a school of her own and children began coming to her home for
lessons. Maureen continued to teach over the next three decades in the Philadelphia area, training
many champion dancers. She truly loved the art of Irish Dance.
Maureen passed away in 1993 after battling cancer. Maureen McDade McGrory's legacy lives
on through the many Irish Dancing teachers who learned from her over the thirty years she taught. Maureen
McDade McGrory was inducted into the North American Feis Commission Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Delaware
Valley Irish Hall of Fame in 2004.
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