Trinity Irish Dancers Win Big at World Qualifier
Chicago (November 29, 2016)--For months, competitors from the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance have been rigorously training for the Mid-America Championships of Irish Dance (called the Oireachtas), a vibrant, culturally rich activity reminiscent of competitive sport where top qualifiers earn World Championship qualification. Each Thanksgiving weekend, the regional championships bring together competitors from 70 dancing schools across 14 participating states. This year's competition was held in Schaumburg, IL. The Trinity Irish Dancers led all Mid-American Irish dancing schools winning 8 championship titles. 21 dancers from the Trinity Academy will head to the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland. While 43 also qualified for the Nationals which will be held in New Orleans during the 4th of July weekend.
Three local girls, Julia Watychowicz (age 8), and Erin Coleman (age 9) of Mount Prospect, and Kyra Himawan (age 8) of Palatine all trained, competed, and placed in the Midwestern Regional Championships. Kyra taking 3rd out of 91, Julia 6th out of 91, and Erin 6th out of 114. Despite outstanding placements by them this weekend, the three are too young to compete at the World Championship of Irish dance. However, Sydney Niewiedzial (age 15), who took 2nd out of 115, along with Margaret Nalley (age 13) will go forward to represent Trinity and the greater Palatine area on the Worlds stage this April 9-16.
Sydney and Margaret have both been dancing since they age of 4. Sydney, who is actually not Irish, is also a member of the non-profit professional touring company, Trinity Irish Dance Company. Just the past summer, Sydney toured across 9 cities in Japan. She attends Fremd High School and loves mentoring the younger dancers and spending time with her dance friends. Sydney's goal this year is to place top 5 at the Worlds.
This is Margaret's first time qualifying for the Worlds and she is thrilled to begin this journey. Like Sydney, Margaret plans to also work hard inside Trinity's performance programs in addition to competing. Every year, groups of senior students from the Trinity Academy's Ensemble travel overseas to perform for European festivals. Margaret is heading into an exciting year as she heads to the Worlds and will audition with hope be cast for one of these Euro festivals.
Other local commemorable performances by Tess Schmidt (9), and Sophia Vrbancic (7) both from Palatine.
While Trinity Irish Dancers has won an unprecedented 36 world titles, more than any other dance school in North American history, instructors encourage dancers to focus on the journey, rather than the trophies. Their powerful philosophy of empowerment teaches students life lessons both on and off the dance floor, and the importance of having fun while developing self-respect and confidence.
Learn the Jig from some of the nation's top dancers and celebrate with your local world qualifiers as we offer a free lesson at our home studios located at 747 N Church Rd, Unit A5, Elmhurst, IL 60126. The lesson will be held at 12:30 pm and will last 30 minutes. Afterward, take the opportunity to meet some of our local champions!
About Trinity Academy of Irish Dance:
Trinity Academy welcomes dancers between three and a half and ten. From the first class, dancers learn poise, confidence, discipline and balance through teamwork and leadership. Dancers determine their own level of participation, whether it be competitive or purely recreational. Instructors use a distinct, non-competitive teaching method that places children on a journey, teaching the beauty of the dance form as well as cultural and life lessons along the way. Trinity's team dancers have garnered an unprecedented 36 world titles for the United States. Trinity dancers have appeared on nearly every major television network in the U.S. through the following guest appearances: "Conan," "The Today Show," "The Tonight Show," "CBS This Morning," Good Morning America," "The Martha Stewart Show." Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has convenient locations in Chicagoland, the greater Milwaukee area, and Madison. They are currently accepting new enrollment for the 2016-17 school year. Locations include: Elmhurst, Lakeview, Chicago's Northwest Side, Chicago's West Loop, Palatine and Western Springs in Illinois, and the Milwaukee, Brookfield, Grafton, Muskego, Sun Prairie, and Verona in Wisconsin. For more information, call 877-326-2328 or visit www.trinityirishdance.com