Jim Maxwell

Jim grew up in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, California. He played trumpet in local marching bands including mariachi bands. He majored in and taught trumpet but graduated in psychology and after moving to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania received a PhD in educational research. He moved to Northern Virginia to work for the Federal Education Department and conducts and reviews research primarily in vocational rehabilitation.

Originally, Jim started dancing by participated in Irish Ceili dancing and Contra dance. Back in 1989, he started clogging with the Cranberry Cloggers, but only for recreation and to get in shape and was soon hooked. He now directs the Patchwork Dancers, which performs mostly clogging, but also Irish step and some tap. He teaches many classes at Fairfax recreation centers, private dance studios and at his home. Jim teaches clogging, Irish step and tap. He recently finished the CCI (Certified Clogging Instructors) program with the national clogging organization.

Jim has also played in local bands, Kings Park, and sang in several church choirs, with the Revels, and in musicals. He has also danced in two modern dance productions. He has given several workshops in both clogging and Irish and Jim also has a national clog teaching video sold through the national clog organization.