Kathleen Schmitt
Where do you live? Euclid, OH.
Current company and position? Music Director of Saint John Vianney Parish in Mentor, OH.
First job and what it taught me? My first job was as a busser at the Irish American Club, East Side in Euclid, Ohio. I learned to work hard, work as a member of a team, and serve my community with joy. Most importantly, I learned that every job, regardless of how glamorous or unglamorous, is important and necessary.
How do you embrace your Irish heritage? Publicly and currently, I embrace my Irish heritage through volunteering with organizations that support our culture in Cleveland. I am a delegate of the Irish American Club, East Side for the United Irish Society, which executes the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Cleveland. My role with the parade includes singing the national anthem, selecting the judges, and marshaling. I also volunteer at the Cleveland Feis and look forward to again helping with maintenance of the Irish Cultural Garden. I've been known to share my singing, keyboard skills, and accordion skills at various events. Personally, I enjoy showing off the Irish dancing skills I acquired from Murphy Irish Arts to my toddler and singing every Irish song I know. And in my extended family I enjoy learning about Ireland's history, anecdotes from family members' Irish and Irish American experiences, and visiting my cousins in Ireland whenever I have the chance.
Something people would be surprised to know about me... I remember every musical and show choir choreography from high school.
Biography: Kathleen Schmitt is the second of seven children of Chris & Kathleen Cooper. She and her husband, Jason Schmitt, are the proud parents of Madelyn. Kathleen received her Bachelor & Master of Music from Cleveland State University. She was the Music Director at St. Thomas More and Department Chair of Performing Arts at Saint Joseph Academy. She is currently the Music Director at Saint John Vianney. Kathleen is involved with the United Irish Society, Irish American Club East Side, and the Cleveland Feis among other organizations. Recently, she was honored as the Inside Co-Chair of the 2025 Cleveland St. Patrick's Day Parade.
