McHale School of Irish Dance
Begin your Irish dancing adventure with us!
McHale takes pride in guiding students based on their individual aspirations. As a fully accredited school we support dancers wherever their passion lies—whether they are focused on performance or dancing for the sheer love of Irish culture.
Classes
Our curriculum includes instruction in soft shoe and hard shoe dancing, as well as ceili dancing and choreographed routines. No matter your path, we are dedicated to ensuring a positive Irish dance experience for all our students!
Start your Irish Dance Journey
Start your Irish Dance Journey
Our School
The McHale School of Irish Dance offers a welcoming environment where children ages 5 and older can discover the joy, discipline, and tradition of Irish dance. Classes are available for beginners through advanced dancers and are held in Lutherville, Md.
Students learn traditional Irish dance in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere while building confidence, developing strong technique, and forming lasting friendships. Whether a student dreams of competing at a feis, performing at community events, or simply dancing for the love of it, our instructors are committed to helping every dancer achieve their personal goals.
McHale School of Irish Dance welcomes both children and adults, offering classes that celebrate the rich traditions of Irish dance while inspiring a lifelong love of movement, music, and Irish culture.
Our Instructors
Linda McHale Poggi, TCRG
Owner, Instructor
For more than four decades, Linda McHale has been introducing dancers of all ages to the joy, tradition, and discipline of Irish dance. her passion for teaching, combined with her dedication to preserving Irish culture has inspired generations of students throughout the Baltimore area.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Md, Linda always loved to dance, but traditional tap and ballet never captured her interest. Inspired by her mother’s roots in County Mayo, Ireland, she discovered Irish dance and felt immediately home. Linda began taking lessons with Peggy Thompson, TCRG, in Annapolis, Md., and quickly realized that Irish dancing was more than a passion. It would become her life’s work.
In the early 1980s, Linda began teaching ceili, set, and step dancing to adults in Baltimore. From her very first class, she knew she had found her calling.
“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to touch so many lives,” Linda says. “Over the years, hundreds of students have taken my classes and enjoyed sharing their love of Irish dance at weddings, Emerald Isle Club ceilis, and local pubs throughout the Baltimore area.”
As her program grew, Linda expanded her instruction to include children step dancing. After successfully completing the Irish Dance Teachers’ examination, she earned her TCRG certification from An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (The Irish Dancing Commission) in Dublin, Ireland. As a certified instructor, McHale School of Irish Dance follows the standards and regulations established by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America, Southern Region.
Linda and her husband are proud parents of three children, When not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family in the Baltimore area.
Beth Schell Balog
Instructor
Beth Schell Balog is a former McHale student and has been teaching alongside Linda for more than 25 years. She has played an integral role in leading step classes and creating choreography, and her patience and dedication for Irish dance have enriched generations of students. Outside of McHale, Beth is an occupational therapist.
Clare Brennan Lincoln
Instructor
Clare Brennan Lincoln is a former McHale student who majored in dance in college. After graduating, and returning to the area, she joined the McHale teaching staff. While her career as a high school language professor limits her availability today, Clare continues to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with students whenever she can.
Brigid Klein
Instructor
Brigid Klein is former McHale student who stayed in the area for college and never stopped dancing. She joined the teaching staff several years ago and has become both a valued instructor and an important technical resource for the school. Outside of McHale, Brigid teaches elementary school and holds a masters degree in education.
Maddie Killian
Instructor
Maddie Killian is a former McHale student who returned to teach while completing graduate school. She quickly became a valued member of the teaching staff, seamlessly taking on a variety of responsibilities during performances, showcases, and other school events. Outside of McHale, Maddie is a physics engineer.
Student Instructors
Our advanced students assist with beginner classes, helping us create smaller groups and provide more individualized instruction. This allows each dancer to learn at a comfortable pace while ensuring those who are ready to advance remain engaged and challenged.
Our younger dancers enjoy spending time with the advanced students, who serve as wonderful role models. Their encouragement and leadership inspire beginners to work hard, build confidence, and look forward to the day they can help teach a beginner class themselves.
McHale Events
Experience the energy and tradition of Irish dance with McHale! Throughout the year, our dancers perform at Irish festivals, St. Patrick’s Day events, holiday celebrations, parades, community festivals, fundraisers, and other events across the Baltimore area. We invite you to join us at one of our upcoming performances. Event details will be posted here as they become available.
Maryland Irish Festival
Sunday, November 15, 2026
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
The Maryland Irish Festival is presented annually by Irish Charities of Maryland at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. This annual celebration of Irish culture features local, regional and international Irish music, Irish Dancers, traditional cuisine, cultural exhibits and workshops, and a wide variety of quality vendors of Irish goods.
Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees
November 2026
This three-day holiday celebration benefits the patients, students and programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute and kicks off the most wonderful time of the year. Hundreds of designer-decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses will be on sale and displayed throughout the Cow Palace, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland for this festive weekend.
Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 14, 2027
Baltimore’s St. Patrick Parade is a jewel in Maryland’s emerald crown. Each year, for more than 60 years, thousands of spectators from the region crowd the streets and sidewalks of downtown Baltimore and the famous Inner Harbor to watch thousands more march and celebrate Irish culture, music, song, and dance. McHale is proud to be a part of this tradition.
McHale's Annual Recital
June 6, 2027
Each recital provides an opportunity to showcase the school and gives every dancer the chance to perform for family and friends, regardless of age or experience.
Our annual recital has also become a cherished tradition of recognizing our senior dancers. It allows us to celebrate their years of dedication to McHale, say a heartfelt goodbye, and wish them every success as they begin the next chapter of their lives in college and beyond.