Harvest Time Irish Dancing Competition Burlington Massachusetts Results Photos

Meagan Humphrey clinches second First Place title

in Preliminary Championship at Harvest Time Feis

photo by Kathleen Connelly for Feis America LLC

The Harvest Time Feis hosted by the Heavey-Quinn Academy of Irish Dance took place Sunday at Burlington High School in Burlington, Massachusetts. A big irish dancing competition weekend for New Englanders, Harvest Time follows the Neponset Valley Feis hosted by the Harney Academy of Irish Dance held on Saturday. Many dancers travel to Massachusetts for both events and enjoy the fall foliage and beautiful weather at the same time. This double-header weekend of Irish dancing is an important event leading up to the regional Irish dancing championships held in November and champion-level Irish dancers in particular seek out constructive criticism from adjudicators while practicing new choreography in a competitive setting. Ceili teams received performance on stage practice as well to the delight of many teachers who will bring 4-hand and 8-hand teams to the regional Irish dancing championships next month.

The experts at FeisWeb tabulated results, and we share some of the Top 3 results here. For full championship level results, visit FeisWeb. Special congratulations to those dancers who achieved perfect scores of 300 - Clare Murray Macritchie, Samuel Miller, Siobhan O'Neil, Jacob Parkman, Simone Rodriguez, Brianna Sheehan, and Maeve White.

Preliminary Championship under 8

1 Fiona Kelly (Forbes)
2 Ronan Kelly (Brady)
3 Nora Gallagher (Clifden)

Preliminary Championship under 10

1 Erin O'Kane (Murray)
2 Emma Bucey (Forbes)
3 Norah Garvey (McInerney)

Kathleen Gallagher, Preliminary Champion under 11

with 3rd place Kaitlin Henry at Harvest Time Feis

photo by Kathleen Connelly for Feis America LLC

Preliminary Championship under 12

1 Olivia Long (McInerney)
2 Payton Sawyer (Boland)
3 Gabrielle DeSisto (Murray)

Preliminary Championship under 14

1 Clara Hannigan (Murray)

2 Kylie Maida (Hansen-Keohane)
3 Kathleen McGauley (O'Dwyer)

Preliminary Championship under 16

1 Kiera Duggan (Inishfree)

2 Bailey Sawyer (Boland)
3 Molly Fallon (Heavey-Quinn)

Preliminary Championship 17 & Over

1 Samantha Stanford (Stanford)
2 Katie Gulycz (Short)
3 Ashlyn Rockwell (McGonagle)

Open Championship Girls under 9

1 Maeve White (Brady) with a perfect score of 300!
2 Riley Sullivan (Woods)
3 Sarah Canniff (Dunleavy Shaffer)

Open Championship Girls under 11

1 Julianna Bremer (Bremer)
2 Nicoletta Bremer (Bremer)
3 Olivia Hanselman (Inishfree)

Open Championship Boys under 12 combined with Boys under 14

1 Samuel Miller (Goulding) with a perfect score of 300!
2 Billy Petrocelli (Bremer)
3 Nathaniel Parkman (Harney)

Open Championship Girls under 13

1 Mary Rose McKenna (Woods)
2 Kate Babcock (Murray)
3 Kaela Gray Milewski (Gray)

Open Championship Girls under 15

1 Siobhan ONeill (Bremer) with a perfect score of 300!
2 Margaret Garvey (Brady)
3 Kelsey Parry (Pender-Keady)

Open Championship Girls under 17

1 Brianna Sheehan (O'Shea-Chaplin) with a perfect score of 300!
2 Caroline Mega (Murray)
3 Kimberly Dargin (Woods)

Open Championship Ladies 18 & Over

1 Jillian Galofaro (O'Dwyer)
2 Madeline Muench (Murray)
3 Claire O'Brien (O'Shea-Chaplin)

Emma Canning, Jayne Rathbone and Celia Fitzgerald

from Hansen-Keohane Irish Dance

Gabby Smith from Smith-Houlihan.

Kiera Bulger and Anne-Marie Miscioscia from Nevin Academy.

Emma Bucey from Forbes School shows off her 2nd place trophy

with friend Ronan Mulkerrin.

Dancers waiting to reel.

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New England autumn Irish dance competition - PHOTOS

Top Four Open Champions under 13

New England Autumn Feis
hosted by Clifden Academy and Dunleavy Shaffer School

9/25/2011

The Dunleavy Shaffer School of Irish Dance together with the Clifden Academy of Irish Dance hosted its first ever Irish dancing competition, the New England Autumn Feis in Marshfield, Massachusetts on Sunday. 

Nearly 1,000 competitive Irish dancers, mainly from New England and metropolitan New York, converged on this quiet coastal town for New England's first feis of the new season. Dunleavy Shaffer co-directors and TCRGs Suzanne Dunleavy McDonough and Theresa Shaffer Wilkinson, are both certified Irish dance instructors with An Coimisiun le Rince Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland.

With multiple stages located in Marshfield's Middle and High Schools, champion awards in an outside courtyard and dozens of volunteers wearing pumpkin-orange teeshirts, this feis ran as close to on time as possible. Despite the humidity, Irish dancers and their families and friends stayed happy and focused, dancing reels, jigs and hornpipes to live music in front of adjudicators from several states. Vendors included Feis America Irish dancing magazine, Dance Bling, Head for the World and Mary Devlin for Fay's Irish Dancing Shoes and used dresses and portrait photography were also on-site.

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All champion level Irish dancers who placed in their competitions received royal blue sashes, and placing preliminary champions were treated to medals for each round. Instead of traditional trophies, the top three placements were awarded tasteful plaques. Award times and results were posted throughout the venue, and the competitor list, stage schedule and venue map were posted in advance on the school's website. An informative blog with regular updates also was much appreciated by first feisers and experienced Irish dancers both.

Friends and fans for life from Smith-Houlihan (MA)

Preliminary Champions under 10 medaled in their light round.

Open Champions under 13 with their round medals.

Classmates from Gilleoghan Irish Dance (CT) share a laugh.

Pre-beginners lined up to dance their very first reel.

For more Irish dancing competition news, photos and family-friendly articles to inspire your favorite Irish dancer or fan, subscribe to Feis America magazine, North America's favorite Irish dancing and culture magazine here.

All photos copyright Feis America LLC.

Colorado Wedding Features Irish Dancing Bride and Friends

Weddings are always happy occasions but when you invite your Irish dancing friends, all your guests enjoy a special treat! Lisa Anderson started Irish dancing with the Bennett School of Irish Dance in Denver, Colorado at 15 years old and fell in love instantly. She quickly rose through the competitive ranks to Preliminary Champion, but an injury forced her to stop.

Lisa Irish-danced a little in college, but it just wasn’t the same, she says, so she stayed involved with the Bennett School as much as possible between semesters. She enjoys teaching the 5-6 year olds and as a graphic designer, has created many fun t-shirts for Bennett School Irish dancers for competitions and events.

Lisa met her husband Isaac Hess at a church activity about 18 months ago while home between semesters. When she finished college, the two began seriously dating, fell in love and planned to marry quickly. Lisa tells us, "One of our dates was actually taking him to my dance studio and dragging him into learning some ceili dancing!".

At their wedding a few weeks ago, Bennett School Irish dancers including teachers Bill and TCRG Molly Bennett, and a host of friends, danced for guests.

Lisa says, "Isaac told me he isn't much of a dancer but he picked it up really fast which is why we ended up dancing together in a group dance at my wedding! Nothing brings two people together like dancing does, especially when neither of you remember the steps and end up laughing the entire time."

With the wedding behind them, the newlyweds have a little more free time. Lisa looks forward to getting back into shape and competing at the Open Championship level again. Feis America and Irish Central congratulate the happy couple and thank them for sharing their photos and story with us and Irish dancing fans here on the blog.

Have you been to a wedding where Irish dancing was a special part of the ceremony or celebration? Share your stories here at Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog.

Subscribe to North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine, Feis America and get stories like these and photos from Irish dancing events across the U.S., Canada and Mexico delivered to your mailbox every other month! A subscription makes a terrific gift for your favorite Irish dancer or teacher!

Photos courtesy of Bennett School of Irish Dance's Debbie Newton and Kristin White

Camp Rince Ceol Irish Dance Camp Dancing Sensation

Campers, counselors and instructors from the renowned Camp Rince Ceol Irish Dance Camp in New York perform the hand dancing routine they learned with Irish dance stars Bernadette Flynn, Damien O'Kane, Craig Ashurst, Sheila Ryan Davoren, and Maggie Revis.

The last week of New York camp starts tomorrow and there are a couple of spots still open...

Stay tuned for more fun videos and photos from Camp here on Go Feis! The Irish Dance Blog.

For all the North American Irish dancing news you can handle, delivered directly to your mailbox bi-monthly, subscribe to Feis America, North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine!

Countdown to "Ireland -The Show" - red carpet premiere

Feis America caught up with one of the show's World Champion stars, Owen Barrington, for an interview which we published in the July/August issue. Here's a peak at what's to come tomorrow and Monday...

Feis America: What makes Ireland-The Show different from any other dance show?

Owen Barrington: The thing that makes Ireland-The Show special from most other shows is that we perform 100% completely live. Most big professional Irish dance shows today use a "click track" in which the taps are pre-recorded and the dancers dance on top of that. Dancing every night, completely live, without the assistance of pre-recorded taps, raises the level of difficulty because you must be spot-on every single show, there's no other way around it. The benefits of dancing live though are a more genuine show and it gives us the freedom to change steps around at a moment's notice if we feel it's necessary.

Read the full interview in the July/August issue of Feis America Magazine. Subscribe online at www.feisamerica.com and get all the Irish dancing news you can handle delivered directly to your mailbox!

North American Irish Dancing Championships – A flash mob in Tennessee

Jennie G. from Clarkson with McClanahan’s Colleen M., Darcy G. and Clare S. before the flash mob


Dancers sneak towards the flash mob at Nashville’s Riverfront Park


Dancing up a storm at Riverfront Park!


Ending the flash mob with a big finish


If you’ve witnessed a flash mob firsthand, you know how exciting it can be. Who wouldn’t find a group of people suddenly assembling in a public place, performing an unusual routine before quickly dispersing back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life entertaining?

On July 4, a crowd of North American Irish Dancing Championship participants invaded Riverfront Park in Nashville, Tennessee, shocking eager onlookers with a treble reel. No dazzling costumes or wigs needed for this gig. Just regular red, white and blue attire. Perfectly patriotic!

Thanks to Feis America LLC friend Julie McCurry for sharing her terrific photos!

For more Feis Followups delivered to your mailbox every other month, subscribe NOW to North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine, Feis America!

North American Irish Dancing Championships – Photos with friends from different schools

Friends from the McClanahan and Broesler schools


Cara G. from King O'Sullivan, Megan O. and Sydney M. from McClanahan watching friends dance


McClanahan, Erickson and King O'Sullivan friends


This dance dad got the friendly crowd moving to ABBA's "Dancing Queen" before awards



One favored plus to attending huge Irish dance competitions? Catching up with your buds from different schools. The 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships, which took place July 2-6 in Nashville, Tennessee was the perfect spot for buds to come together and support one another, making some new friendships along the way.

Thanks to Feis America LLC friend Julie McCurry for sharing her terrific photos!

For more Feis Followups delivered to your mailbox every other month, subscribe NOW to North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine, Feis America!

Univeristy of Illinois’ extra incentive for college-aged Irish dancers

by ERIN BAILEY
Feis America Magazine contributor

After 10 years of dancing my body hurt. My feet had been broken, my hips and knees were starting to become worn down and I had accomplished my goals. It was an easy decision for me to hang up the shoes and hand down the costumes to the next generation of dancers. I’ll never stop being an Irish dancer, but when I graduated high school, I stopped being a competitive one.

This wasn’t the case for many of my peers, though. Some found teachers with schools near their universities and continued training. Others kept their dancing shoes tapping by gathering the dance community together at their respective universities and starting a club.

At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, there is a large presence of students hailing from the Chicagoland area. Not surprisingly, many former Irish dancers. Upon realizing this, a group of girls gathered a few friends and began IDentity, a registered student organization allowing U of I dancers to continue their love for the sport.

The group brings their diverse backgrounds of training together and hold practices, creating show numbers perfect for performances around campus. IDentity has become a recognizable group in the area, impressing other students with their fast feet while dancing at the halftime performance of the Fightin’ Illini games and during a concert of Irish rock group Dropkick Murphy’s among various other events around campus.

IDentity is more than just a few shows around St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a basis for new friendships between old competitors, as well as a support group for the girls who’ve continued to compete at major competitions through their college careers.

Illinois is not the only university to start such a group. Notre Dame has one, as does Harvard. For those dancers about to embark on their college journey, know it will be hard not to lace up a pair of soft shoes come next March. So why not Facebook an old classmate and spark some interest on your own campus this September. If nothing else, a weekly practice may help keep off that dreaded “Freshman 15.”

Photo Credit: Mairin Gilmartin

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Nutrition for Irish dancers - healthy breakfast treats to eat before competition

by ERIN CONCANNON
Feis America Magazine contributor

Sometimes nerves can get the best of us, but when you’re dancing your heart out and trying your hardest to be No. 1, you can’t afford to have your nutrition let you down.

One of the biggest tips I’ve learned from dance is to always eat healthy. Trust me, it will help you in the long run. So while you’re packing up your dancing bag and prepping for the next feis, consider grabbing up these goodies.

Fruits. Cantaloupe, mango, bananas, pineapples…they’re easy to eat and enjoy on the go. A personal feis must for me has been fruit cups, which can be eaten quickly and doesn’t run the risk of getting on dance items which, face it, would be disastrous if sticky.

Hard-boiled eggs. They’re simple to make, easy to pack and loaded with lots of protein, giving you the energy needed for those high jumps.

Protein shakes. Opt for slurping one of these down while on the road to your next competition in lieu of soda or other carbonated drinks. The delicious treat won’t leave you feeling stuffed or bloated—a terrible feeling to have while dancing on stage.

Don’t forget to pack your bag with other travel-sized snacks like granola bars and pretzels to munch on between rounds and results. Remember, you can never have enough healthy goods to keep you energized throughout the day…and potential long trip home.

For more Irish dancing news from North America's favorite magazine delivered to your mailbox, subscribe today!

Four things to do at the 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships

BY ERIN BAILEY, Feis America Magazine contributor

Nationals was always a time for my family to take a summer vacation. OK, it was essentially forced on all of them, but they packed up the car and drove to that year’s lucky locale, eager to explore a new city without hesitation.

If you’re heading to Nashville for the 2011 North American Irish Dance Championships this weekend, (good luck!) and maybe take a look around Tennessee's capital with these ideas.

- When you think Nashville, country music pops to mind--no surprise. If you’re a music lover and would like to fully immerse yourself into the country theme, the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-see.

- Don’t forget, there is also loads of history down in the southern region of our country. The Belle Meade Plantation is home to a Civil War battle. With a low price, it'll keep the younger kids entertained and get their brains churning over summer break.

- Wanna make history? Then join in what will (hopefully) be the longest line of Irish dancers at 12 p.m. in the Tennessee Ballroom of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel Sunday, July 3. CLICK HERE to register. A portion of all fees will go to the IDTANA scholarship fund.

- Whenever we hit up Nashville for the NANs, my dad loves walking through the downtown area. Be sure to hit up Riverfront Park for some 4th of July fireworks a day early on Sunday, July 3.

Tell us, what’s a favorite Nashville hotspot you’ve discovered while at the NANs?

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Cincinnati Feis Photos 2011

Christine & Sydney celebrate Sydney’s 2nd in the under 11 Preliminary Championships



Colleen M. & Theresa C. from the under 16 Open and Preliminary Championships



McClanahan and Erickson dancers at the end of an enjoyable Cincinnati Feis



Two tired feising friends take a breather at the Cincinnati Feis


The 28th annual Cincinnati Feis was held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center this past Sunday, June 26. Like years past, it was a well-run afternoon filled with great competition, happy dancers and, as expected, some tired feis-goers.

Thanks to Feis America LLC friend Julie McCurry for sharing her terrific photos!

For more Feis Follow-ups from all across North America, subscribe to North America's favorite Irish dancing magazine, Feis America by clicking here:

5 reasons to Irish dance as an adult

BY: CHRISTY DORRITY, Feis America Magazine contributor

I’ll never forget the feeling I got the first time I competed onstage as an adult Irish dancer. The rush I felt at accomplishing a goal and using talents I previously had shelved when I started a family made me realize that yes, I really could pursue dance as an adult.

If you are like me, you put aside many of your goals and talents after college, thinking that it was time to put away childish things. That’s where we were wrong. Who says Irish dancing is only for kids? In my first Irish class, I danced every week with a woman who was in her sixties. I plan to follow in her footsteps and dance until my body tells me it is time to stop.

It is never too old to start down a road that leads you to a better place. So here are five reasons to embrace Irish dancing today:

1. A goal to stretch for. Yes, we adults desperately need something to look forward to that is OUR thing—not our spouse's, or our children’s or our mother’s.

2. Camaraderie. You will find a tremendous support group in the adults you dance with. I am a friendly person and involved with church and community groups, but my adult dancer friends are some of my most loyal.

3. Exercise. What? I can dance and burn calories at the same time? Bonus. The more you dance, the better you will feel, the better you feel, the more you will dance. Let the cycle begin.

4. Self-confidence. When you master that tricky hornpipe, you will have a boost of confidence in yourself that will bleed into other areas of your life. Windows will open up and you will have the gumption to try all sorts of great new things (and finish some old things).

5. Quality of life. Just knowing that you have something that is your own, something that builds you up and pushes you to be a better person, will help you see life in a whole new light.

Do you Irish dance as an adult? Do you want to? Introduce yourself and let’s get started.

Photo Credit: Christy Dorrity

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Countdown to North American Irish Dancing Championships!

2010 Stephen Scariff School (FL) NAN ceili team
2010 Rince na Tiarna (NY) NAN ceili team
2010 Penk O'Donnell (WC) NAN ceili team

2010 O'Rourke School (NY) NAN ceili team

2010 Glor na Daire (GA) NAN ceili team

2010 NAN Under 9 Girls' solo competitors waiting to dance

In just one week, thousands of dancers, their families and teachers will converge in Nashville, Tennessee for the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America Irish Dancing Championships! These photos by Feis America LLC are of some of our friends who competed at last year's 2010 NAIDC in Orlando, Florida.

Good luck to everyone getting ready to travel and best wishes to the organizers from IDTANA who are busy finalizing details. Keep your eye here on Go Feis The Irish Dance Blog for more inspiring photos all week long and visit us at the Feis America on IrishCentral.com table on Monday, July 4th in Nashville!

Four easy ways dancers and parents can show they’re good sports at competition

BY: MAY B. ANYDANCER, Feis America Magazine contributor

In the heated spirit of the upcoming North American Irish Dance Championships, here are a few friendly reminders for dancers and parents on being a good sport through the thick and thin.

Snap back from slip-ups. A detached cape. A bump on stage. Things pop up. It’s how you bounce back from a snafu that shows you’re a star sport.
Dancer dos: We’re not just taught to dance with grace and poise, but to apply it to every facet of our lives. Let the aggression out on stage, but don’t take the little—and uncontrollable—things out on others. Anyone in the audience, as well as the adjudicators, can easily sense animosity. So no matter how upset you might be, graciously wish your fellow competitors well and fight back the tears. They never look good on anyone.
Parent pointers: No matter what happens on stage, it’s important to instill a sense of perseverance, not shame. Something as simple as saying, “I’m proud of you,” will keep a dancer’s mind focused on the big picture and all the hard work they’ve done leading up to a competition…not the few minutes that just happened.

Seize results. Everyone can agree, awards ceremonies are the scariest part to any competition. But face it, once the dancing is done, it’s out of your hands.

Dancer dos: For any dancer faced with the recall rounds, why not make a quick exit from the ballroom to compose yourself before the big announcement. You didn’t get the results you wanted? Keep that idea of luck at the front of your mind. Just think of those who weren’t able to partake in such a prestigious event. A champion is a champion, no matter the placement.

Parent pointers: Parents, much like a dancer’s TCRG, have a responsibility to teach their dancers. Instead of reiterating what they could have done better that day (they probably already know), stay supportive no matter the outcome. Teach them the importance that shaking hands or posing for a picture with the winner is far better than storming off.

Lead by example. Dancing helps people grow as athletes. But having good sportsmanship is what defines every individual as a true champ.

Dancer dos: Remember, eyes are on you at all times. And that includes the little ones who want to be a champ like you one day. Your game face isn’t just for when you’re on stage, but whenever you’re representing your school. Just think of the champions you looked up to when you first started and how they acted.

Parent pointers: Remind your child to be pleasant and let them know that every dancer has their day. It’s easy to feed off the body language and attitude of others, so remaining calm will help your dancer do the same.

Keep working. Dancing is an ongoing journey of uncertainty. You might win a competition one weekend and not place the next. Keeping a tirelessly mindset of always wanting to improve will keep you going.

Dancer dos: There’s always room for tweaking—in your dancing and your outlook. You didn’t dance as well as you wanted? Channel your frustration into working an extra hour next week perfecting your steps. You’re on a winning streak? Take that natural high of success to push yourself that much further on trying to stay on top.

Parent pointers: Keep thinking of ways to keep your child interested and inspired. Let them show you new steps or moves and get excited for them. Remember, half of the excitement of a win for many dancers is making their parents proud.

Photo Credit: Alexa Crisa

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Irish dance documentary 'Jig' opens - feedback is terrific - VIDEO

Ryan Academy (NY) girls at 'Jig' Credit:Heather Kontonis

Check out what Feis America's FaceBook fans had to say about seeing "Jig" in theaters this weekend:

"We really enjoyed it. We laughed, cried and the girls I took came away motivated and inspired!"
-Kelly Fitzgerald Atzbach

"Great film. NYC yesterday afternoon."
- Denise Doonan

"Brilliant!"
- Fidelma McGroary

"It was amazing and the perfect inspiration for my feis today. Everybody I went with felt really happy and wanting to dance in the middle of West Hollywood!"
- Kati Byrne

"Wonderful film. Saw it with my two girls here in Toronto ages 10 and 6..."
- Melanie May

"It was a great look into Irish dance. It really showed how hard these kids work and the sacrifices made [by] these kids and their parents. You really fell in love with these kids and wish them all continued success. Congrats to Sue Bourne!"
- Sue, Feis411

Here's a trailer of the documentary:

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