Sheila Tully Driscoll has been teaching Irish Dance lessons for over 45 years.  A champion Irish dancer herself, she began teaching Irish Dance in her mother’s basement while she was in college. Sheila received her T.C.R.G. designation (official Irish Dancing Teacher certification) in 1972 and her A.D.C.R.G. designation (official Irish Dancing Adjudication certification) in 1976. Today, she is the longest tenured Irish dancing teacher in the Chicago area and is highly regarded nationally and worldwide. She is a member of An Coimisian Le Rinci Gaelacha, the international governing body of Irish Dancing and adjudication as well as a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America. Taught by Pat Roche, one of the pioneers of Irish Dancing in Chicago, Sheila continues her hands on teaching in the classroom as well as participating as a judge at Irish dancing events.

Her Tully Academy, which opened its beautiful new studio in Glenview in 2003, is highly regarded in the Irish Dance community as her programs have produced many champion dancers and winning teams. Tully Dancers have successfully competed in many regional and national competitions as well as the World Irish Dance competition in Ireland. Her dancers have also performed all over North America entertaining a wide variety of audiences.

Sheila’s philosophy of teaching stresses patience and personal attention to each dancer. Perhaps it is due to her background in early education that she knows how important it is to structure her teaching methods based on each child’s learning needs. A former teacher in the Chicago Public School System, she earned her B.A. degree in Early Education from Loyola University. Success comes from really seeing each student as an individual. Sheila and her staff work closely together to recognize the needs and challenges of each student as well as to bring out the talent in each child. Each dancer can progress to the next level of ability with frequent practice and encouragement from family members. While competition helps each dancer improve, a positive attitude and practice are essential.

The benefits of Sheila’s experience and teaching methods are endless. Her dancers develop self-confidence, discipline, friendship, team spirit as they enhance their physical and mental agility while having lots of fun! The Tully Academy is comprised of girls and boys of all nationalities. Irish Dance is a tradition we teach and our dancers make wonderful new friends while sharing positive experiences through solo dancing, team dancing and year round performances.

Sheila has four children, a growing number of grandchildren, and lives in Glenview with her husband Patrick Driscoll.

Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance classes are available at the Glenview studio and in other satellite locations throughout the suburbs.

Teaching Important Steps in Life