Life on lockdown is difficult for everyone and Irish Dancers are no exception. While many in Europe are now experiencing a second wave of restrictions, dance studios in America are slowly beginning to feis again and dancers are excited to be back to the business of dancing.
When Celtic Steps of Colorado announced their feis, the Celtic Steps Championships and US Belt was moving forward in late September, four Brady Academy families from Boston signed up for the feis, even though it meant flights, rental cars, and hotels.
The Fraser, Harrington, O’Donnell and Pinkham families were beyond excited to be back on the feis circuit after being sidelined for so long. Confident that Celtic Steps would deliver a safe environment, the families took the plunge back into the feis scene.
Dancers Neve (U10), Claire (U12), Ronan (U11) and Nola (U10) could not contain their excitement to be feising again. The dancers had travelled together in the past, including for the 2020 All Irelands in February where Ronan placed in Boys 10-11 and the girls all recalled and finished in the top 30. After the All Irelands, the families were planning to travel together to the 2020 Worlds, but those plans were squashed by the pandemic.
Pictured: The Brady Academy families at the All Irelands in February 2020
Throughout the pandemic the dancers stayed motivated and with the help of their teachers, continued training “as if.” They trained as if the Worlds were not cancelled, as if nationals were happening, and as if their next big competition was right around the corner. This attitude serviced them well at the Celtic Steps Championships and US Belt.
Claire Harrington won the U13 Championships and placed 2nd in the US Minor Belt. Ronan O’Donnell placed 2nd in U11 Championship and 3rd in the US Minor Belt. Nora Pinkham placed 3rd in the U11Championships and 7th overall in the Minor Belt and Neve Fraser placed 7th in the Celtic Steps Championships.
Pictured: Training "as if" paid off for these Brady Academy dancers at the Celtic Steps Feis & US Belt
Other feiseanna are slowly restarting in America. The Gilleoghan Dance Academy and the Scariff School hosted the Florida Suncoast Feis & Tampa Bay Feis on October 10th-11th. On hand was IDM's newest team member Ethan Frank of the Watters School in Florida.
Pictured: Ethan worked for IDM along with competing at the Open Champ level for the Watters School. Pictured with friend Brianna from Tir na Greine.
Throughout the weekend Ethan talked to dancers and uploaded photos on IDM’s Instagram story, allowing dancers all over the globe to catch of glimpse of the new normal at Irish Dancing competitions.
Jr. IDM Reporter Lizzie Shacklett of the McDade Cara School along with Jr. intern, Chelsea O’Connor-Rea of BFOC (California) also assisted at the feis by shooting a memorable video showcasing their love of Irish Dance which debuted on Instagram.
Pictured: Chelsea O'Connor-Rea (BFOC) & Lizzie Shacklett (McDade Cara)
Check out their video here!
Team IDM will hit Hagen Kavanagh’s Haunted Halloween Feis this coming weekend, October 17-18th. Be sure to follow our Instagram Story to check out all the great feis photos and costumes. The Haunted Halloween feis is affiliated with the USA Irish Dance Alliance.
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