The Tim O’Hare Scholarship
The Legacy Lives On
Dancers must be juniors or seniors in high school and have a minimum of 10 years of Irish dance experience. Dancers should demonstrate true dedication to the sport of Irish dance and make valuable contributions to both the O’Hare school and the broader Irish dance community, exemplifying the values embodied by Tim O’Hare.
The scholarship winner will receive $500, awarded by the O’Hare School of Irish Dance Booster Club at the annual Showcase.
Tim O’Hare was a passionate dancer, dedicated teacher, fair adjudicator, and selfless volunteer.
He began his dancing career at the age of 5 in Detroit, MI. Tim earned his first National title at the age of 10, followed by six additional National titles and 2 Regional titles. His most noted competitive successes came in 1976 and 1977 when he won back-to-back World Championship titles!
As a teacher, Tim was the proud owner of the Tim O’Hare School for over 40 years, which he founded in Plymouth, MI, in 1979. Over the next decades, he expanded the school, opening two additional locations in Cleveland and Akron, OH, in 1984, and another in Chicago, IL, in 1996.
As an adjudicator and volunteer, Tim served as President of the IDTANA and Vice-Chair of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha. He was also an active member of the Oireachtas Committee of CLRG.
Whatever Tim did, he did with passion and integrity, using his powerful voice to champion fairness and excellence. Tim’s legacy is one of service and dedication to the Irish dance community.
We are proud to honor his memory with the Tim O’Hare Scholarship for Dedication to Irish Dance, celebrating the profound impact he made as a dancer, teacher, and friend.
Scholarship Recipients
2025 Recipient
Siobhan Boyle