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Joni Muggivan, TCRG & Director
Joni Muggivan began dancing under world-renowned dancer, Paul Tinen, at the age of four, in a time when Irish dancing was virtually unknown in New Orleans. Because local teachers were scarce, she attended workshops all over the country in order to cultivate her talent and to gain knowledge and experience in the world of competitive Irish dancing. Her list of teachers includes superstars such as Jean Butler and Colin Dunne. At home, she danced under, and indeed would later teach with, Mary Ann McGrath Swaim, TCRG, whom she credits with fostering in her a love for the search and acquisition of knowledge and expertise in competition, performance, and teaching alike.
Under Swaim, Joni represented the New Orleans School of Irish Dancing in regular performances with such artists as Legacy, Danny O’Flaherty, and the Celtic Folk. In addition, her celebrated talent landed her performances in various venues, such as the North Texas Irish Festival, Notre Dame University, Celtic Cruise Lines, and Galveston’s Grand Opera House. She was heard on the radio with her hard shoes, appeared on multiple television programs, including the Angel Hill Show, and was featured on the Poor Charles Album, Change of Habit.
Perhaps the only thing more impressive than her performance record is her achievement in competition. She has competed all over the United States and Ireland at the Open Championship level, having achieved her Open Championship status at the age of 14. She competed in two Mid-American Oireachtas, during which she performed her own choreography and placed in the 80th percentile. She also competed in three Southern Region Oireachtas where she was awarded two seconds and a third place. In 1998, she become the first dancer in Louisiana to compete at the World Championships in Ireland where she again danced her own choreography.
In recognition of her talent, unceasing effort, and outstanding personal initiative, Joni received two awards for achievement in dance, one from Loyola University, and one from the Irish Cultural Society as a worthy recognition for one of the most impressive young performers and teachers in the state.
Muggivan Instructor
Angelle Stahl
Angelle Stahl teaches at our New Orleans location. She studied ballet and jazz throughout her childhood and into college. After seeing Irish dancers perform while studying in Ireland she joined the Muggivan School of Irish Dance and within a few years became an instructor at Muggivan. She has now been dancing for nearly nineteen years and
Angelle Stahl teaches at our New Orleans location. She studied ballet and jazz throughout her childhood and into college. After seeing Irish dancers perform while studying in Ireland she joined the Muggivan School of Irish Dance and within a few years became an instructor at Muggivan. She has now been dancing for nearly nineteen years and has traveled to workshops and competitions both nationally and internationally.