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Instructors

Katie Stephens Spangler - Owner and Director

Katie Stephens Spangler began dancing in Milwaukee in 1987 with the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. She performed and competed all over the world for 11 years with Trinity and also assisted with teaching classes. She had the opportunity to perform in places like Belgium, Nashville and New York, and she finished her competitive career at the Championship level in 1998. Katie moved to St. Paul that year, and continued to perform for the next several years.

Katie taught for four years with the St. Paul Irish Dancers while attending the University of St. Thomas. She graduated from UST in May of 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and went on to open Rince na Chroi in February of 2003. Under Katie’s direction over the past eight years, Rince na Chroi has grown tremendously.

In addition to managing the curriculum and progress of all of Rince na Chroi’s students, Katie manages the teaching staff and oversees all communications, bookings and enrollment.

Emily Wolff - Assistant Director

Emily Wolff has been dancing since she was four years old. Emily danced with several local schools, including the Shamrock School of Irish dance, before moving to Rince na Chroi. She has been a teacher at Rince na Chroi since the fall of 2005. Throughout her dance career, she has competed and performed all over the nation. Emily graduated from the College of Saint Catherine in May 2010 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science.

Emily teaches classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and is Rince na Chroi’s chief choreographer. Emily directs our summer Irish dance camp. She also teaches a number of private lessons.

Katy Gorilla - Instructor

Katy Gorrilla started dancing when she was five years old. After a number of years with the St. Paul Irish Dancers, Katy has been with Rince na Chroi since it opened. Katy served as a class assistant at Rince na Chroi for many years before joining the teaching staff in the fall of 2007. She is a student at the University of Minnesota.

Katy teaches Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday classes along with a number of private lessons.

Steph Rosca - Instructor

Steph Rosca started dancing when she was four years old. For a number of years she danced with the St. Paul Irish Dancers. Steph joined Rince na Chroi when its doors opened in 2003, and she became a member of the teaching staff in 2007. She is a student at Dunwoody College of Technology.

Steph teaches classes on Sundays along with a number of private lessons.

Molly Gorrilla - Instructor

Molly Gorrilla started dancing when she was 3 years old with the St. Paul Irish Dancers. She has been with Rince na Chroi since its founding in 2003. Molly is a student at the University of Minnesota.

Molly teaches Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday classes along with a number of private lessons.

Maria Belde - Instructor

Maria Belde began dancing when she was four years old. She has been with Rince na Chroi since 2004 and has been a part of the teaching staff since 2007. She is currently a student at the University of St. Thomas.

Maria teaches classes Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays as well as a number of private lessons.

Sarah Quinn - Assistant Instructor

Sarah Quinn has been dancing since the age of 5, starting with Trinity Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She then transferred to Glencastle Irish Dancers in Milwaukee in 2000 for the remainder of her high school dance career. She also began assisting in classes at Glencastle. Sarah competed across the country during her time dancing in Milwaukee. When she came to Minnesota to attend the University of St. Thomas, she then joined Katie at Rince na Chroi in the fall of 2003. After graduation in 2007, Sarah moved to Ireland to work for a youth organization in Belfast. She returned to the teaching staff in spring 2010.

Sarah started graduated school in fall 2011. She will assist with classes and performances periodically and will be back teaching classes regularly as soon as possible.

Siobhan Tidmarsh - Assistant Instructor

Siobhan Tidmarsh has been dancing since age 4, starting off with the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance and then receiving most of her training from Anam Mor. She has had the opportunity to compete and perform all over all over the world. Siobhan has studied at Century College and plans to pursue more education in culinary school.

Siobhan teaches Tuesday and Wednesday classes.

Class Assistants

Lillie McAdams has been dancing with Rince na Chroi since the fall of 2004. She is a student at DeLaSalle High School.

Lillie assists with Sunday classes.

Anna Purtle started dancing with Rince na Chroi at the age of eight, back in 2005. She attends DeLaSalle High School.

Anna assists with Sunday classes.