About Us

Mission Statement For The Murray School

The Murray School of Irish Dancing offers classes for students of all ages and levels wishing to become outstanding Irish dancers.  At the Murray school we believe in supporting students through enhancing their self esteem and confidence.  We also encourage our students to work hard and strive for excellence.  Through this they will develop skills that will last a lifetime.  We endeavor to create a safe learning environment for all students through mutual respect and responsibility towards all teachers, students and parents in The Murray School.  We welcome students from all levels of dance experience and of all cultural backgrounds to learn about  Irish Culture, Music and Dance and to be part of the Murray team.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Geraldine Murray, TCRG, is an accomplished and well-known Portland Irish musician and dance teacher. She has been involved in Irish dance and music for over 40 years and is certified by An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (The Irish Dance Commission) in Dublin, Ireland, since 1995.  She’s a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and the Western US Region of Irish Step Dance Teachers where she currently serves on the board of directors as the Western US Regional Secretary. Geraldine is also a former member of the Portland Ceili Society board of directors.

Geraldine’s mother and paternal grandmother emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland.  Similarly, she was fortunate enough to spend some time living in Ireland.  Her Pittsburgh-area family is known for its dedication to keeping alive the traditions of Irish dance, music and culture. Since moving to Portland over 25 years ago, Geraldine has continued that dedication to fostering Irish music, dance and culture in Oregon and southwest Washington, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.

Geraldine studied Irish dancing as a child with The Burke School  at The Irish Centre Pittsburgh.  Under the direction of Theresa Burke TCRG, ADCRG she competed all over the East Coast of the US and Canada and assisted with The Burke School classes in Pittsburgh. She has also studied other forms of dance including Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Dunham, African and Cuban Dance and holds a BA in Honors Philosophy from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.  Geraldine studied tin whistle under Irish Tin Whistle Master, L.E. McCullough, Ph.D. and performs regularly at local Irish establishments and festivals in the Pacific Northwest and her native Pittsburgh, PA.