Our Story & Staff

Meet the people behind MSID

About MSID

MSID is under the direction of champion dancer and certified Irish dance teacher, Joni Muggivan, TCRG, located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

MSID accepts dancers ages 3 through adult, beginners through champions. Dancers may take classes for fun, performance, and/or competition. Muggivan School of Irish Dance performs throughout the Greater New Orleans area, and dancers compete on local, national, and international stages.

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. Her celebrated talent landed her performances at various venues including the North Texas Irish Festival, Notre Dame University, Celtic Cruise Lines, and Galveston's Grand Opera House.

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 worthy recognition for one of the most impressive young performers and teachers in the state.

She continues to perform around the city and continually inspires her own dancers to strive for excellence in Irish dancing.

Angelle Stahl

Instructor — New Orleans

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.

She has now been dancing for nearly nineteen years and has traveled to workshops and competitions both nationally and internationally.

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