Wednesday
September 18, 2024 
In 1994, the Fitzpatrick School of Irish Dance began at the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Bristol. There were just 12 students, but the school grew into a successful family-dynamic dance studio. Now the studio is celebrating 30 years in the business.
Owner Maggie Fitzpatrick Guenther moved to Doylestown in 2000. She continued her school in Bristol but also opened branches in Newtown, Levittown and Doylestown.
“We realized that was stretching it all a bit much, since I was also raising my three children,” she said.
It was then that they decided to create one space for her lessons, and chose Doylestown.
“It had been a dream of mine for a long time to have our own space,” said Fitzpatrick Guenther. “With the help of my late brother, (former Congressman) Mike Fitzpatrick, and amazing dance parents and friends, we were able to make that dream a reality.” The Doylestown studio opened in 2019.
The studio holds classes from Monday to Thursday as well as private lessons throughout the week and workshops on the weekends. The school has three companies within it, for which students audition: the Peanut, Junior, and Senior companies. All perform out and, Fitzpatrick Guenther believes that gives them a level of depth “to allow us to do so many performances.”
For the Fitzpatrick School of Irish Dance, St. Patrick’s Day marks the busiest time of the year, with 50 performances between March 3 and March 25.
“We have a remarkable group of dancers,” said Fitzpatrick Guenther. “The first performance on March 3rd has as much energy and enthusiasm as our last performance.”
Included in those 50 performances are 10 assemblies in schools; 12 senior retirement homes; 13 private parties; a Snowball Gate block party; a performance at Sellersville Theatre; and 14 different “Pubs” in Bucks County. On Friday morning at about 6:30 a.m., the school will be featured on Fox 29.
When Fitzpatrick Guenther first started her school, the famous Irish theatrical show “Riverdance” was just beginning.
“I took that and added our own flare,”said Fitzpatrick Guenther, when discussing the style of Irish dance she teaches. “More of a blend of traditional steps, choreography and a bit of theater.”
Fitzpatrick Guenther herself participated in theater during high school and works to bring theatrical elements to her programs.
Although some of its dancers have competed before, the school keeps the focus on performing rather than competitions.
“We believe the dancers have a more positive experience doing performances,” explained Fitzpatrick Guenther.
The studio uses a mix of traditional Irish dancing music and a range of music from other genres.
“We feel we are bringing Irish culture to all of those experiencing our performances,” said Fitzpatrick Guenther.
The studio has a family-like relationship with everybody involved, Fitzpatrick Guenther said. The team uses trips to create team-building moments. They’ve gone to Disney World, Disneyland and Universal Studios.
“Spend that much time together, it builds a community,” said Fitzpatrick Guenther.
Having done Irish dancing herself at a young age, Fitzpatrick Guenther found herself continuing to feed the passion as she grew, passing the love on to her two kids. Both began dancing at the age of 3 and continue to this day.
For the studio’s success and longevity, Fitzpatrick Guenther credits family and dance families, friends and dancers for their support.
“They say it takes a village, and I have the best one around,” Fitzpatrick Guenther said. “It is hard to believe it has been 30 years. I really do have the luck of the Irish. I feel so blessed to do what I love and to be celebrating 30 years. I am so grateful.”
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