![]() |
WIDA World trophies for young and old, alike. Photo: Christy Dorrity |
How old is too old to dance? Most people would agree that dancing can be enjoyable at any age.
"It's never too late to learn," says Johnny Cronin, owner of the Johnny Cronin School of Irish Dancing in Ireland, who recently certified to be an Irish dance adjudicator. "I've heard so many times from adults that they wish they had the means when they were young to dance and now as adults many now do."
There are a few adults in Irish dance that started their training as children, but many adults who Irish dance began taking lessons in adulthood—long past what most would consider a viable age for a champion. The World Irish Dance Association (WIDA) is changing the landscape of competition for adult Irish dancers, giving them a chance to compete for a world title.
Last week, at the World Irish Dance Association’s European and World Championships, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, more than 90 dancers over the age of 23 competed in six age groups. Annamariea Dardi, an adult Irish dancer from Ireland, is pleased to find that WIDA values adult dancers. "I always compare adult dancers to football or rugby players who are valued at the sport well after the teenage years, and it's nice that a dancing organization such as WIDA feels the same." The adult dancers, along with the younger age groups, gathered in Dusseldorf, Germany on April 19-21, 2014. Dancers hailed from thirteen countries and seventy-eight schools.
![]() |
World Champions in the over35 category. Séamus O'Rourke (1st), Catriona Newcombe (2nd), and Christy Dorrity (3rd), with teacher Johnny Cronin Photo: Christy Dorrity |
Other Irish dance organizations offer only limited opportunities for advancement for adults, or require them to compete against teens at the major competitions. The comparatively young organization of WIDA allows adult Irish dancers to compete at high levels, and against athletes of similar age. "WIDA has not only opened doors for people to learn Irish dance outside of Ireland, but the organization has really encouraged older dancers and lets them take their dancing as far as they want to," Cronin says. One of his adult dancers, Séamus O'Rourke is the current World 2014 title holder in the over35 category.
Word is spreading about the positive treatment adult Irish dancers find in WIDA. Catriona Newcombe, an adult Irish dancer and teacher (Echoes of Erin School of Irish Dancing) from Hong Kong was impressed with the events. "WIDA is an extremely friendly organization," Newcombe says. "Everyone was there to support each other, and we all wished each other good luck and were genuinely please if someone danced well and placed. No where else have I seen everyone as enthusiastic about the senior dancers and cheered them on equally."
In recent years, attendance at WIDA's double major has increased, seeing a 25% rise between 2013 and 2014 alone. And it isn’t just the attendance of adult Irish dancers that is rising; the quality of the dancing is climbing as well. "The standard in WIDA is high and over the years it is going to get better," says Séamus O'Rourke, current World 2014 title holder in the over35 category. "I always felt that I was able to dance, but with other organizations I would have to compete against dancers in their teens or early 20's. WIDA changed that. I have been introduced to a new world."
As more adult dancers around the globe are given a chance to show what they are capable of, they will inspire many who have thought that they, also, were too old to dance. I have had the best experience of my life being part of the organisation WIDA," O'Rourke admits. "After 27 years away from the dancing world, WIDA has allowed me to go back to what is passionate in my life, that of dancing." And just because the Europeans and Worlds are over for 2014, doesn’t mean that the dancers are resting. They know that the standard will be even higher next year, and are already back to practice, the world over.
chenlina20160614
ReplyDeletenike roshe run
tory burch outlet
jordan 13
coach factory outlet online
coach outlet store online clearances
vans shoes
michael kors handbags
coach factory outlet
coach outlet store online
ralph lauren
true religion jeans sale
nike roshe runs
michael kors handbags
ralph lauren outlet
christian louboutin outlet
tiffany and co
cheap oakley sunglasses
nike air max
toms outlet
christian louboutin shoes
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
michael kors purses
lebron 13
cheap toms
cheap jordans
cheap nfl jerseys
michael kors outlet
kobe bryant shoes
louis vuitton bags
timberland boots
gucci handbags
nfl jerseys wholesale
coach factory outlet online
coach factory outlet
nike blazers
running shoes
louis vuitton handbags
ray ban sunglasses
adidas shoes
as
cheap jordan shoes
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet stores
louis vuitton outlet
north face outlet
michael kors outlet
moncler uk
jimmy choo
louis vuitton purse
coach factory outlet online
ray ban sunglasses
pandora charms uk
birkenstock outlet
louis vuitton outlet
cheap oakleys
babyliss hair dryer
pandora jewelry outlet
converse outlet
ugg sale
cheap ray bans
toms outlet store
ugg outlet
reebok classic
canada goose outlet
canada goose uk
louis vuitton purse
black timberland boots
nike cortez white
kate spade bags
nike trainers
reebok
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
nike shoes for cheap
true religion outlet store
ugg outlet
rolex submariner
coach outlet store online clearance
louboutin shoes
20160730caiyan
polo ralph lauren men
ReplyDeletecoach outlet online
moncler outlet
supra store
nike free run flyknit
coach factory outlet online
ugg australia boots
canada goose outlet
celine outlet online
cheap ray bans
louis vuitton outlet
ferragamo
kobe 11
michael kors uk
louis vuitton handbags
nike air force black
oakley sunglasses for sale
ugg boots
coach factory outlet online
cheap air max
louboutin shoes
bottega veneta sale
burberry outlet canada
christian louboutin sale
coach factory outlet online
fitflops shoes
polo ralph lauren
dolce and gabbana outlet online
canada goose
air max 90 black
michael kors outlet online
ray bans
cheap jordan shoes
louis vuitton outlet online
fitflops sale clearance
canada goose uk
longchamp outlet store
2061831caiyan
adidas nmd r1
ReplyDeletekd 8 shoes
ralph lauren outlet online
birkenstocks
coach outlet store
oakley sunglasses cheap
mont blanc pen
ralph lauren outlet online
christian louboutin outlet
eltics jerseys
xushengda0424
polo ralph lauren
ReplyDeletele coq sportif
michael kors tote bag
true religion outlet
polo ralph lauren
coach outlet
christian louboutin shoes
red bottom shoes
oakley sunglasses
christian louboutin sale
20175.4wengdongdong
The answer is cloaked in mystery but it can be safely believed that the initial seeds of Irish dance were planted by the Druids. https://medium.com/@roserory333
ReplyDeleteRed Bottom Shoes
ReplyDeletePandora Jewelry
Air Max 270
Pandora Charms Outlet
Jordan 9
Air Jordan 4
Air Jordan Retro 11
Jordans 11
Retro Jordan 11
Pandora Jewelry
Rodney20190105
Adidas Yeezy
ReplyDeletePandora Jewelry Official Site
Pandora Charms Outlet
Pandora Jewelry
Jordan 4 Retro
Pandora Jewelry Outlet
Retro Jordan 11
Air Jordan 9
Jordans 11
Air Jordan 11
Rodney20190308
I read testimonies and reviews about him so I contacted him immediately, explained my problems to him. Same day , he casted a spell for me and assured me for 2 days that my husband will return to me and to my greatest surprise the third day my husband came knocking on my door and begged for forgiveness. I am so happy that my love is back again and not only that, we are about to get married again, he proposed. I wouldn't stop talking about him. Contact him today if you need his help via email: emutemple@gmail.com and you will see that your problem will be solved without any delay. Website: https://emutemple.wordpress.com/ whatsapp number +2347012841542
ReplyDelete