Spotlight on National Qualifiers - Katey Spence

Katey Spence U14

My name is Katey Spence and I am 13 years old. I started dancing 7 years ago because I loved Irish music. I loved dancing when I started and I love it now!

 

I've been to 5 Oireactas' (the first two just dancing figures), and this is my first time qualifying for Nationals. I'm really excited to go to Nashville to dance and I've been working really hard.

 

Dancing is a really big part of my life. It has given me opportunities to travel and meet new people and make great friends!

 

Spotlight on World & National Qualifiers - Benet Avery

Benet Avery U11

My name is Benet Avery and I am 10 years old. I started my dancing  career early as a ballerina. In ballet my need for speed and lack of grace always put me at risk of not receiving a sticker at the end of class . Although my mom says I looked sweet in a tutu it was time to move on to something more physical...... Irish dance. I have been dancing since I was 5 and I feel it in my blood.

My hopes and dreams... I am on a quest to get as many sashes as possible !!!  Also, I often look at the trophies from the O and it is my hope to have my name on the same trophy as one of my teaches. That would feel special.

What I have done....I have gone to the O three times. Placing - 1st time- 20th place, 2nd time-6th place, 3rd time-5th place.

 I have gone to the Nationals twice. My first time I placed 98th and the second time I placed 19th.

 I will compete in Dublin at The World Championship in 2011. I hope to do my teachers and school proud.

Why I love irish Dance......I have met alot of great friends. I get so excited when we travel to compete (I want more sashes).

I LOVE MY TEACHERS !!

Spotlight on National Qualifiers - Maggie Wilkins

Maggie Wilkins - Senior Ladies

After spending four years away from Irish Dance, I retired in 2005, I just couldn’t stay away. Irish dance is my passion and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.  I started dancing in 1997 with Ni’Fherraigh O’Ceallaigh under the watchful eye of Joanne Vanderloo and Yvonne Kelly. I am so bless to of had them to guide me in the early years of my dance career. They helped me to develop into the woman and dancer I am today. I have been to the Eastern Canadian Championships and the North American Championships several times, as well I attended the All-Irelands in Belfast. I have competed in solos, ceili and production competitions. Two of my favourite memories would be dancing at All-Irelands and performing half-time at the ACC for a Raptors game on St.Patrick’s Day. There’s nothing like 19,800 people watching you dance.

Coming back to Irish Dance and dancing for Gilchrist- Canavan has been an absolute joy but has had it’s challenges as well. I quickly realized that I wasn’t the “spring chick” that I use to be and that Irish Dance was much more physically demanding in a woman’s body.  I love Sinead, Patricia and Cathy and would like to thank them for taking the time to work with me and help me become the best dancer possible and teacher in the near future.

I would like to send a shout out to all the dancers heading to worlds and the nationals this year. Dance like you’ve trained to dance and love every moment of it. GO GIL-CAN GO!

Spotlight on World & National Qualifiers - Camille Slaght

Camille Slaght U15

I started dancing when I was 9 years old, after seeing Olivia Hynes perform at my elementary school talent show. The buckles of her hard shoes caught my eye, and I was in love. I am now 15, and dance has become a huge part of me. Just over a year ago, I transferred to Gilchrist-Canavan, one of the hardest, but best choices that I have ever made. I have met some of the most inspiring and talented people here; their presence alone is encouraging. Dance remains something that I can always count on, my rock. It keeps me going, and no matter how hard it gets, injury after injury, the thrill and satisfaction that I get when I dance makes it all worth it.

I have competed at 5 Eastern Canadian Championships, and 3 North American Nationals. At this year’s Eastern Canadian Oireachtas, I came 2^nd, a goal I could never have dreamed of reaching. I will be attending the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland in April, with the only goal of making it through my hip injury in order to dance my best on the day of the competition. As for the North American Nationals in July, a recall would mean the world to me. In the meantime, I have to manage my injuries, take care of myself, and stick with the Gil-Can family.   

Spotlight on National Qualifiers - Caitlin Oswald

Caitlin Oswald - U14

Dance has always been a big part of my life. From a young age my mom signed me up classes at a local Irish dance school, Gilchrist school of Irish dance. I've had so many good memories at this school. The teachers are great; they support and push me in every class to help improve my dancing. I've been to 5 Eastern Canadian championships and this year will be my first North American championships. I love coming to dance every day because I get to do what I love with so many amazing people that I’ve gotten the chance to become friends with. Dance has given me so many opportunities and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Caitlin, Eileen & Katey.....so cute!!

Spotlight on National Qualifiers - Madeline Cameron

Madeline Cameron U14

Irish dancing is one of the most important things in my life. I am always thinking about dance, at school, at a friends house and of course, at the studio. I love to dance, and always have. I started Irish dancing when I was 6 years old, and have loved it ever since.  I have been to 5 eastern Canadian championships,  2 North American Championships, and 1 overseas competition, in England.  Dance has given me so much and I have some of the best teachers ever, they help me though everything even when I think I cant do it anymore. They have never given up on me. It has been a fight to get to where I am now, but it's all worth it. 

Spotlight on World & National Qualifiers - Leiden McMurray

Leiden McMurray U14

Nine years of Irish dancing and I'm still loving every minute of it. Irish dance has been a huge part of my life since I was 4 years old. My mom found an ad in a local paper about a new Irish dancing school opening up in the Beaches and I was the first student to enrol in the then Gilchrist school of Irish dance. I have gone to 7 Eastern Canadian championships, 4 North American championships, 3 major overseas competitons and 1 World championships in Glasgow, Scotland 2010. I look forward to this year's World Championships in Dublin, Ireland as dance has given me so many amazing opportunities to travel and grow as a person.

Leiden McMurray

Spotlight on World & National Qualifiers - Lee Tanner

Lee Tanner U14

Hello, my name is Lee Evan Tanner and I started dancing 9 years ago.
My goal has always been to get into the top 20 at the Word's, I was very close last year, I got recalled and placed 26th.
I love going to competitions, I love getting my rhythm perfectly on time and make it sound amazing.
I train by doing something over and over until I get it and I have class 4 sometimes 5 times a week.My favourite dance is my set, the treble jig and the hornpipe.
My biggest challenge is turning out my back foot.
What I am best at is my rhythm.I have been at the World's twice and this year in April will be my third time. I am aiming for the top 20!!!
I have been to the Nationals about 4 times and the Oireachtas 7 times, these are probably the things I look forward to all year.
I love the teachers and of course it is nice to have my friends helping me in class.
In general dance is a big part of my life and if I could do it all my life I would. I might just do that.
This is me Lee Tanner

St.Patrick's Day

Hello Dancers,

Please be sure to email Patricia re: your availability!

gilcandance@bell.net

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