The MCDERMOTT ACADEMY OF IRISH DANCE was founded by its director Maureen McDermott Ziskowski in 1970 in Holyoke, MA. Over the years the school has expanded to include the cities of Springfield, Westfield and South Hadley.

Maureen is a fully accredited teacher by EXAM with AN COIMISIUM le RINCI GAELACHA
(Irish Dance Commission) in Dublin, Ireland; a member of the IRISH DANCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA; and a member of the IRISH DANCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ENGLAND.

Her students have performed for many organizations, and due to her love and dedication of the art, has seen countless dancers succeed in competitions on local, regional, national and international levels.

Students are also invited to dance for local charities, festivals, hospitals, nursing homes and other organizations and events.

The goal of the school is to share the love of Irish dance through fun, hard work and dedication.

Maureen has always stressed the fact that "WE ARE A FAMILY".
Because of this, many of her students have returned to her for ADULT classes or
brought their own children to learn Irish dance at McDermott Academy.