Irish dance is a mesmerizing art form that combines rhythmic footwork with intricate choreography, and one young talent has been making waves in the competitive scene. Meet Ellory, a sixth-year student at Cobb School Montessori, who embarked on a remarkable journey to the 2023 North American Irish Dance Championships (NAIDC) in Nashville.
A Star on the Rise
This past July, the 2023 NAIDC event in Nashville, Tennessee drew a staggering 5,000 competitive Irish dancers from around the world. Among them was Ellory, one of the thirteen qualifying competitors chosen to represent the New England Region in the U11 Open Championship Solo Competition.
A Journey of Dedication
For Ellory, the 2023 NAIDC marked her first “major” international event. She dedicated countless hours during the spring and early summer to perfecting new choreography at The Griffith Academy in Wethersfield, where she had been studying Irish dance since 2019. The U11 Open Championship Solo Competition required participants to prepare both a soft shoe dance, a slip jig, and a hard shoe dance, a treble jig.
What made this competition even more thrilling was that both jigs were performed three at a time on stage. Dancers had to be exceptionally careful not to collide with one another or falter, as any misstep could lead to point deductions or, worse, getting sent off-stage before completing their performance.
The competition was intense, but Ellory, along with her fellow competitors, showcased their incredible talent, determination, and grace under pressure.
A Dance to Remember
After the initial two rounds of performances, the top 50% of all competitors would be “recalled” to perform a final hard shoe round, a set dance, alone on stage. Ellory had prepared a challenging set dance called “Planxty Davis,” not knowing whether she would even have the opportunity to dance it for the judges.
A Day of Triumph
Competition day began early at 4:30 a.m. and didn’t end until after the sun had gone down. Despite the long hours and fierce competition, Ellory had a remarkable experience at the 2023 NAIDC.
While there were no expectations that she would recall at her first major competition, Ellory defied the odds and had the chance to perform her version of “Planxty Davis” for the judges. In the end, she placed an impressive 28th overall among some incredibly accomplished dancers.
The experience left her feeling motivated and inspired to continue her journey in Irish dance.
A New Chapter Begins
Ellory’s positive experience at the 2023 NAIDC fueled her passion for Irish dance even further. She dove right into learning new choreography in preparation for the New England Region Oireachtas (pronounced Uh-Rock-Tas), which means “annual gathering” in Gaelic, taking place in Hartford in November.
This year, Ellory has her sights set on an even greater challenge: qualifying for both the 2024 NAIDC in Dallas and the 2024 World Irish Dance Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Her journey in Irish dance is just beginning, and her dedication and talent are sure to take her far.
As Ellory continues to pursue her dreams on the Irish dance stage, we can’t wait to see where her passion and talent will take her next.