We are open! Serving 2 locations: Kensington and North County
Instructors
Director: Jeannie Thornton, A.D.C.R.G.
Jeannie Thornton was born in Connecticut and moved to San Diego as a baby. Jeannie’s mother was born in Belfast, County Antrim, and wanted Jeannie to Irish dance, like she did as a child. The San Diego Irish community only had one certified teacher but she was a long driving distance away. So, Jeannie’s mother began teaching her basic steps in their living room.
At the age of 10, Donna Means King, ADCRG, then a new TCRG, began a class at Jeannie’s primary school. From the first lesson Jeannie excelled and was thrilled to learn more. Soon after Jeannie started attending feisanna she quickly moved up the levels from beginner to open championships. At the age of 13 Jeannie attended her first regional championship, the Oireachtas, and placed 2nd, qualifying her to dance at the World Championships. By age 15 Jeannie was training under Ron Plummer, ADCRG of Derry. She placed 1st in the Western US Oireachtas and attended her first North American Championships, placing 5th. By the following year at age 16 Jeannie placed 1st in the North American Championships. During this time Jeannie attended the World Championships several times in Salthill County Galway and at the Mansion House in Dublin. For five straight years Jeannie placed in the top 5 at the North American Championships. Jeannie also placed in the top 2 for 7 years in the Western US region. Jeannie is a North American Champion in ceili dancing as well as in solo competition.
In 1990, Jeannie passed her T.C.R.G exam to be a certified Irish dancing teacher. She began a small class which quickly grew to 200 students. Clan Rince was born! Due to the high demand of her classes she opened her first very own studio. And adding a 2nd studio shortly thereafter. By 2016, Jeannie was an A.D.C.R.G.-a certified Irish Dance adjudicator and traveling all over the US, Canada and Mexico judging. In, 2017 Jeannie was named Irish Woman of the Year by the Irish Congress of Southern California. When Jeannie isn't teaching she enjoys hiking, pilates and is the busy mother of Erin, Ryan and Cian.
Jeannie’s passion is teaching and judging but she loves sharing stories about Ireland with her pupils. She loves to teach them about Irish history and geography. Jeannie honors her mother's wishes by keeping the Irish traditions alive through dan
Alisa Dosch, A.D.C.R.G.
Alisa Dosch has been involved in dance and music lessons since the age of 5. She took tap, jazz and ballet and studied the piano. She joined Jeannie’s studio in 1999 and learned very quickly. Alisa was able to begin assistant teaching almost right away. She quickly moved up the competitive ranks into Open Championships and was top 5 in the Western United States for four years, reaching 2nd place in 2003. Alisa is a North American medalist and competed in the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in 2002. It was during this time that Alisa earned her B.A. degree in English from San Diego State University. In 2006, Alisa retired from competing, passed her T.C.R.G., and has been teaching full-time ever since. Alisa is a talented choreographer, and is instrumental in the Clan Rince annual recital being the great production that it currently is. In 2017, Alisa passed her A.D.C.R.G exam qualifying her to adjudicate competitions worldwide.
Alisa lives with her husband, James, and their four dogs, in La Mesa, California
Rori Ritchie, A.D.C.R.G.
Rori has been involved with Irish dance her whole life. Rori began her Irish Dance career at the age of 6 under the direction of Joan Kelly of the Kelly School of Irish dance in Los Angeles. During this time Rori
reached Open Championships at the age of 11 years. Rori had enormous success during her 12 years with the school and qualified for
the World Championships 3 times and received 2nd place at the
Western United States Regional Oireachtas in 1989.
At 18 years old, she moved to San Diego at attend college and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in
Interdisciplinary Studies and also earned her Teaching Credentials.
While working as an elementary school teacher, Rori studied under
Jeannie Thornton to become a credentialed Irish Dance teacher. In
2005, Rori received her Irish dance teaching credentials and has
been teaching Irish dance ever since! In 2022 she passed her adjudicator examination.
Rori and her husband Colin have been married for 25 years and have two children; Avalon (16 years) and Brendan (13 years). Aside from her family, Rori’s passion in life is to teach
the love of Irish dance and watch her students fulfill their dance dreams and goals.