iirishdance-blog - Tumblr blog

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This my fellow dancers is what having height in your dancing means

Ivan Vasiliev in Class Concert

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Be Thankful for the hard times, and use them to help yourself and another person grow stronger.

Quote credit: ashleighhopkins08

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Determination and persistence

I will conquer my opponent. Defeat will not be in my creed. I will believe where others have doubted. I will always endeavour the prestige, honour and respect of my team. I have trained my mind and my body will follow. Who Am I? I am a champion. I will acknowledge the fact that my opponents do…

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Irish Dance Instructor Wanted

Are you a motivated individual with previous teaching experience?  Have you reached a competitive level in Irish Dance of Preliminary Championship or greater?  Do you love children and want to spread this great art form to the next generation?  If you answered yes to these questions you could be an Irish Dance Instructor in the Greater MIlwaukee Area.  Responsibilities of the position would include instruction of students ages 5+,  class instruction ranging from Beginner to Advanced,  Performance rehearsels coordinated with other instructors.  Note:  This position will not be a seasonal position and we are looking for a long term instructor.   T.C.R.G.  certification is not required, however applicants who are preparing for one  are preferred.  Please contact reelceltic@gmail.com for more information!  I look forward to meeting you!

downfallofparis-108downfallofparis76keepingonmytoes@we-are-the-reeldancers kicks-and-glitz reeljighornpipe fromdreamingtoachieving

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Hard Work that nobody sees gets results no one understands

Something my teacher said to the little girls in class today struck me. He said you win the worlds/oireachtas/nationals/get the recall/ etc right here in this studio, once you are at the competition you’re just there to collect your prize. It is too late for anything when you are standing on the stage, you’ve already won it or lost it.

And I thought that was just so true. 

-Anytime you rehearse, you either get better, maintain or lose some of your form it is entirely up to each person to make a rehearsal worth while.  It is NOT up to your teacher.- iirishdance

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Great quote from Nelson Henderson

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So cool to hear about people making a difference,  the fact that its irish dancers makes it even better. 

If you have never helped another person think about it as being one dimensional.  It revolves around "Me myself and I"

I am proud to announce that in partnership with my students over $50 was raised in 6 weeks for our local food pantry!  

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Photo Credit: rachelannie016:

True dedication is getting out of bed every morning and fighting for something, not the win, not the first, not the qualification.  No, dedication is fighting for progress, for that jump an inch higher,  those toes pointed a bit better,  and the stamina less of a problem and more of an accomplishment.

Thanks rachelannie016 for taking a great pic!

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While I never like to hear of a dancer having a surgery,  I am so glad that this one took the time to recover properly.  I look forward to hearing about Meghan's progress.  If we all fought for our success while we where doing well instead of when we where not,  how much better would our dancing be?  Something to ponder.

You may all remember that hilarious video that I posted of Meghan Connolly doing an absolutely fantastic Vanishing Lake. What I forgot to mention is that Meghan has suffered from scoliosis for years and when I posted that video it hadn’t even been a year since her surgery for it. Well today she’s celebrating her one year anniversary since the surgery, or in her words, one year of being “Straight”. Meghan has always been the most dedicated dancer I know. For a few years now, she’s been doing two-a-days at the gym, and going to dance class, and helping out at our dance school. I don’t know a lot of 14-16 year olds who do that.

Dancing with scoliosis is a big challenge, and then on top of that going through painful surgery, taking months off because of it, and then coming back and recovering from it, is so, so painful. It’s always so sad to see someone have to go through an injury or surgery, but to see one of the most dedicated dancers you know have to go through it is heartbreaking.

The surgery went well, and her spine went from a 56 degree curve to a 12 degree curve. She had a pretty good recovery too, but that was due in part to her being such a fighter. She pushed the nurses to help her start doing things sooner than most. When she was able to dance again and came back to class, we all tried to tell her to take it easy, and she did for a little bit, somewhat. There were definitely a lot of days when she was in pain, but she hid her pain well and would hide in the bathroom if she had to cry (sorry Meg for telling). She told me she never wanted to take it easy because she didn’t want to seem like she was making excuses.

To this day, she is still the hardest worker I know. She’s back into her full gym and dance routine, she still helps out all the time, and still has some of the highest clicks and lifts in our dance school. There are one or two little things she’s still working on regaining, but she’ll get them back soon. She gets better and better every week and I know she’s only going to keep getting better and is going to reach all of her goals. I can’t wait to see her on the Worlds stage, where she belongs.

She may be 5 years younger than I am, but Meghan is absolutely my biggest inspiration. She is the definition of hard work. She is without a doubt THE funniest person I know, and can be absolutely ridiculously crazy sometimes, but you can also have the most mature conversations with her. When I transferred schools, she was the most welcoming person to me. She will very clearly joke about being cocky, but she is such a humble dancer.

So happy 1 year to Meghan Connolly! And to all “curvy girls” dealing with scoliosis and dancing, I am in awe of you and your dedication.

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I can sympathize,  I know my last might be coming soon.  Enjoy it to the best of your ability. 

Feeling nostalgic today. My last feis. #tbt #irishdance 🍀

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Quote of the Day

Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a mans precious pride, it hurts his sense of importance, and arouses his resentment

-Dale Carnegie

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Hi, wondering if you could help... I feel like my steps just aren't working for me and sometimes I have different opinions than my teachers do, any helpful tips? Thanks

Hi anon! Ok first off how long have you had your steps? If less than a month I would say tough it out, they are likely just not comfortable yet. Secondly, if you are getting different opinions from teachers on the same thing, try and talk to both and explain the mixed messages. Usually your teachers don't realize they are contradicting each other and telling them will help both to be more clear with you.Thirdly, if and when you speak to your teacher, have some suggestions in mind. I have learned that my teacher is more open to changing something if I have a few options ready to try. Lastly try to figure out what specifically doesn't feel good, do you think you don't look good in them, do you feel you can't execute them, are you worried that they are not competitive at the level you need? Sorting this part out will go miles towards improving your steps and confidence in them. When you know exactly what seems to be the problem it's much simpler to fix it. Hope this helps you out.Iirishdance

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Identity Crisis

Who am I?  I am a person, a human being, I am a teacher, a student, a musician, a dancer, a writer, a composer, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a competitor, a role model.

Not one of these things defines me or contains my identity.  But all are a part of me.

The biggest mistake anyone can make, dancer or otherwise, is to put their entire identity and self worth in their job, position, rank, placement, or performance.

People are afraid to be happy with how they performed because they know it isn't perfect.  But allowing yourself to be happy when you dance, to enjoy the sensation of working hard and accomplishing something, will do more for your dancing than brow beating yourself because you have to win or be better than the person next to you.

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What is the difference between a person who laughs, struggles, fights, loses, falls, overcomes, breaks, pushes, heals, works, persists, doubts, cries, believes and a Champion? A Champion will do all of the above but will not let it stop them.

-Hannah Voelkel

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When people ask what my passion in life is.  This is it in one word.

"Describe yourself in one word."

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My trophy is starting to fill up!  This time I am going to donate to a group called Food for the Hungry.  They help provide medical care, clean water, and  business coaching for impovershed communities around the world. 

  http://foodforthehungry.com/

thereellifeofirishdance we-are-the-reel-dancers aye-i-can-watchme reeljighornpipe kicks-and-glitz fromdreamingtoachieving aussieirishdancer

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Music

What music motivates you on those days when practicing seems to be too much work?  I love this song, hit the link and try it for yourself.  It is great for getting up, dusting off the shoes and hitting the floor on days when you don't want to practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA