About the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance

Lauren McGrath Dutton, ADCRG & TCRG

McGrath Academy Owner/Director

ADCRG: Accredited Irish dance judge with the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin, Ireland
TCRG: Accredited Irish dance teacher with the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin, Ireland
2003 World Championship Dancer
Second generation TCRG
Master and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

The Academy Director is Lauren McGrath Dutton, ADCRG, who is an accredited Irish Dance Teacher with An Coimisiun (the Irish Dance Commission), in Dublin, Ireland.

The Academy has produced many regional, national and world championship dancers, as well as excellent performers. Since opening in January 2004, McGrath Academy students have danced at places such as the New Zealand Embassy, the Reston Chorale Foundations of Freedom Concert, the Landmark Theatre in Richmond, and in the Manassas Saint Patrick's Day Parade. The dancers have enjoyed performing with choice Irish bands such as Joe DeZarn and the Flaming Shillelaghs, Sior-og, and The Chieftains during their Kennedy Center concert. In addition, the students have performed for cultural and charitable organizations, among them The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Habitat for Humanity, the Knights of Columbus, and local nursing homes.

Lauren McGrath Dutton began Irish Step-Dancing at the age of two under the instruction of her mother, Jeanne McGrath Pearson. Lauren danced competitively as a solo and figure (group) dancer winning hundreds of trophies and medals, ultimately progressing to the Open Championship competition category. Her most recent achievements include becoming a certified Judge in 2013, qualifying for and dancing in the World Irish Dance Championships in 2003. Lauren has studied Irish Dance with Reagan Wicke, Pauline Malone, Jacky Kennedy, Liam Harney, and of course, Jeanne McGrath Pearson.

Lauren earned a bachelors and masters degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She then relocated to Northern Virginia to begin her engineering career and ultimately open the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance.

Jeanne McGrath Pearson, TCRG - Associate Director TCRG: Accredited instructor with the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin, Ireland Bachelor of Science in Education
Jeanne McGrath Pearson began her dance career at the age of 5 under the instruction of Peggy & Mary Ann O’Neil in Hartford, Conn. She performed at the Bushnell Memorial Theatre for the Kennedy Aboretum Show at the age of 15 yrs of age as a soloist, won the talent show at the age of 15 for Junior Achievement of Conn., placed first as Miss Ocean Beach, and 1st runner-up in the Miss Connecticut Pageant. She was co-captain of her majorette team at South Catholic High School in Hartford, and a majorette in college. She placed 2nd in the Irish Dance Nationals in the early 60’s. Some of her outstanding Irish Dance teachers were, Peggy O’Neil and Mary Ann O’Neil Griffith, and Kathleen Mulkerrin, of Bridgeport, Conn. She also studied piano for 12 years. Jeanne studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and modern dance for 14 plus years. She founded the Ideal School of Dance in Hartford, Conn. at the age of 17. She also earned a Double Major in Education and French, and a minor in dance at Central Conn. State Teacher’s College. Having married a Coast Guard Officer, John F. McGrath III, Jeanne opened the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance in 1972, opening her first classes at Our Lady of Sorrows, in Takoma Park, Md, under the auspices of Peg Brereton. She also taught in Reston, in Fairfax, and in Alexandria, VA for 12 years. Later, she taught in the Atlanta, Georgia from 1996-2008. Jeanne obtained her TCRG in 1974 with her study partner Russell Beaton, who later became a revered Southern Board Officer, President and Worlds adjudicator. McGrath students performed for The Blackthorn Stick, The Rose of Tralee sponsored by Pat Troy and The Irish Hour, the Raeburn Building on Capital Hill for Ted Kennedy’s 48th Birthday Party, the Carter-Mondale fundraiser, former Senator Joseph Tydings, the Maury Povich television show, the Wolf Trap Farm Park International Children’s Festival, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Mount Airy Irish Festival featuring Eimir O’Malleidigh as a star performer. Currently Jeanne is a retired teacher of 28+ years and is currently the Associate Director of the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance.