Our purpose is to provide a positive, fun learning atmosphere for all of our students.
Our dancers are friends, both in and out of the classroom.
We strive to instill a sense of belonging, school spirit and confidence in each and every Rince na Chroi student.
Our Story
Rince na Chroi (pronounced Rink-a na Cree), Gaelic for “dance of the heart,” was founded by Katie Stephens-Spangler in February 2003 after 15 years of Irish dancing and teaching experience in Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Paul.
Since opening our doors, Rince na Chroi has grown from about 15 dancers to over 200. We have performed all over the Twin Cities and the Midwest at events such as the Irish Fair of Minnesota, the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival, Grand Old Day, Milwaukee Irish Fest, and many more.
Recently, our dancers have performed an average of 100 times each year, in venues such as the Minnesota Zoo and the Landmark Center and with talented musicians such as the Two Tap Trio, the Wild Colonial Bhoys, We Banjo 3 and Gaelic Storm.
Rince na Chroi encourages open communication between dancers, parents and our teaching staff. Our purpose is to provide a positive, fun learning atmosphere for all of our students. Our dancers are friends, both in and out of the classroom.
We strive to instill a sense of belonging, school spirit and confidence in each and every Rince na Chroi student.
Katie Stephens-Spangler
In Memoriam: Founder
Katie founded Rince na Chroi in 2003. She entered heaven on January 26, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her loving husband, her children, who were the lights of her life, parents, sister, numerous family, friends, and especially her Rince na Chroi family.
Our Instructors
Our teachers are the heart of Rince na Chroi. Their dedication and connection with our dancers is part of what makes our school feel like a family and a second home. We take the time to get to know each dancer personally and teach life skills like confidence, teamwork, and professionalism through dance.
