Award-Winning Irish Dance School Labor Of Love For Husband-Wife Team

LEMONT, IL — Jen Bailey-Murray and Kevin Murray met 13 years ago during an Irish dance competition. Jen, who grew up in Downers Grove, had been involved in Irish dance since the age of five. Kevin, who grew up in the United Kingdom, had been Irish dancing since he was three years old. The couple, who now live in Naperville, have performed and taught Irish dancing around the world, most recently at Lemont's Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dance.

Their students will showcase their talents at Lemont's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival on Sunday, March 9.

Kevin told Patch Irish dancing is "very unique in the fact that your feet move very fast, your legs are high up in the air, your upper body doesn't move." He and said many people are daunted by the intricate choreography, unless it's a very specific time of year.

"Around St. Patrick’s Day, everyone thinks they can do it," Kevin told Patch.

The couple has been thrilled to share their love of Irish dance via classes in Lemont since they returned to the United States in 2021. Prior to that, they spent a few years in the United Kingdom, and then spent nine years teaching Irish dance to students of nearly 40 different ethnic backgrounds in Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including members of Abu Dhabi's royal family.

Then, when the coronavirus pandemic hit, the couple made their journey back to Naperville, where they are now raising their two-year-old daughter Orla.

This November, their U10 Mixed 4 hand team won the Oireachtas, a regional qualifying competition that was held in Indianapolis. Additionally, many of their students earned solo and team medals at the contest, where they were pitted against 15 teams from Mid-America.

The students, ages seven to 13, who competed are as follows:

• Brynne Godfrey
• Molly Madden
• Kathryn Nally
• Grace Smolinski
• Elizabeth Smolinski
• Lorelei Tortorich
• Max Tortorich
• Anna Lynn Sidlow
• Sophia Threasher
• Penelope Threasher

The students who took home the U10 Mixed 4 hand championship, which is made up of students under the age of 10, were:

• Molly Madden
• Grace Smolinski
• Elizabeth Smolinski
• Max Tortorich

Most of the students had been dancing for about two years prior to the regional championship. Max Tortorich, who has a sister, Lorelei, and their cousins, on the team, only trained for about three months before the competition.

"We whipped him into shape in three months, and he was able to go and dance with the team and then win," Kevin said.

Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dance's students will show off their hard work at the Legion Park Gazebo for Lemont St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival Sunday. More than two dozen students will participate in the event, which also includes performances at Huey's Irish Pub, Pollyanna's Brewing and the Lemont VFW Post 5819. The students will perform more shows in Lemont on March 17.

Patch asked Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dance to tell them how their students feel about performing at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Below, you'll find their exuberant responses.

"I’m looking forward to dancing in the parade and having all my friends and family watch our new steps," said Kathryn Nally, eight.

“Being an Irish dancer, St Patrick’s Day is my favorite holiday because we get to share our love of Irish dance with everyone," Sophia Threasher, nine, shared.

Penelope Threasher, seven, added, that she enjoys "dancing with my friends and getting treats at the VFW."

Elizabeth and Grace Smolinski, who are nine and eight years old, respectively, said, "We love dancing with our friends and performing for Lemont!"

For Lorelei Tortorich, eight, the best part is "having fun at the parade and showing everyone my love for Irish dance."

Her brother, Max Tortorich 10, is most excited about "performing and having the crowd cheering for all of us."

Violet and Trevor Richardson, both seven, are also looking forward to the parade. Violet said she is excited about "showing everyone I can dance up on my toes and dancing for my friends and family."

Trevor said he looks forward to "dancing my new steps for everyone and having people clap for me."

Poppy Richardson, four, is pretty pumped about "throwing and eating candy in the parade and showing everyone my steps."

Molly Madden said she will enjoy "dancing with my friends, having fun with my family, and being in the Lemont parade."

Eight-year-old Emma Bernard wants to show people "how fun Irish dance is with her friends!"

Readers may have noticed many of the students at Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dance share last names. Kevin says this is because Bailey Murray is a "family affair." Even their toddler daughter, Orla, will try to mimic the dance steps during classes.

Jen and Kevin said they work with families to make the traditional attire of Irish dance affordable. At first, beginner students start with polos and skorts or pants. Then, once they get into higher levels of competition, they get solo dresses that are made in Ireland, England or the United States.

“Whatever a family’s budget is, we do our best to make it affordable. A lot of people get nervous and think of the high prices of the dresses," Jen told Patch.

She added, "We want everybody to be able to do it."

Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dance offers classes at all levels of experience for students ages three through adult. The classes are held at the Lemont Park District, Lithuanian World Center and the Lemont VFW.

Jen and Kevin told Patch they both made lifelong friends through Irish dance, many of whom made up their wedding party.

The art and its overarching friendships are something the couple "wanted to share with the younger generation," Jen said, adding, "I think it gives kids something to focus on besides school.”

"Even though you’re competing, having that really fun factor to play and enjoy yourself growing up," Kevin said.

The fun is so hard to resist that even Kevin and Jen will dance at performances, after a little bit of coaxing.

"Professionally we hung the shoes up awhile ago," Kevin said, "but every once in a while they get dusted off for a …"

"...guest appearance," Jen chuckled. "But we prefer showcasing our dancers."