Colbee Misfud: Relocating from Australia to Ireland for Irish dance

by INSPIRED DANCER, Feis America Magazine contributor

In the sport of Irish dancing, we don’t just have the thrill of performing and competing to look forward to, we also have great people to meet everywhere we go!

When I attend major competitions, I love meeting the other dancers just as much as I love dancing. This past July at the 2011 North American Irish Dancing Championships in Nashville, Tenn., I had the pleasure of meeting of a lovely dancer with a very interesting story. Meet Colbee Misfud, a 21-year-old open champion from the land down under who’s proving hard work and dedication does pay off—even if you move to another country.

It was actually her sister’s dream of Riverdance that got Colbee “dragged along” to classes years ago. But she’s loved it ever since. When Colbee was 18, she decided to take the plunge and move to Ireland to follow her dream and focus more on her passion, taking on an even bigger challenge of providing for herself, paying all of her expenses. But she was on a mission that delved deeper than just dance.

“For me, moving to Ireland wasn't just about the dancing. I wanted to learn more about myself and become independent,” Colbee says. “I had no relatives in Ireland. I knew no one. That's what excited me the most.”

Upon her arrival in Belfast, Colbee joined Kennedy Irish Dance. And since then, she has earned her way to a recall at the World Irish Dancing Championships. But Colbee’s not going to stop there! She has future aspirations of not only dancing in a professional Irish dance show but also getting those shiny letters at the end of her name: TCRG.

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READ MORE:
- Keeping friendships in Irish dance through competition
- Experiencing the North American Irish Dance Championships for the first time
- Performing with an Irish dance show – ‘In Love With The Dance’
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The lessons Colbee has learned along the way are some she would love to take back to other dancers in her home country of Australia:

“I feel that every dancer who gets the opportunity to do what I am doing should take it! It has opened my eyes up to things I didn't even know existed in the dancing world,” she says.

But that’s not to say she has forgotten about her fellow Aussies while living abroad. “The dancing community in Australia is much bigger than what people think,” Colbee says. “We have incredible dancers in the country who should be able to show off their talent overseas.”

Colbee’s story is an inspiration to dancers everywhere because she has proven that you can live the dream if you fight for it. Many thanks to Colbee Misfud for sharing her story with me. And to think it all started in a ballroom before competitor check-in. You never know who you may meet at any given competition.

Photo Credit: Colbee Misfud

Would you ever relocate for Irish dance? Share in the comments below.

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Experiencing the North American Irish Dance Championships for the first time

The Sunday competitor from the Bracken School with Alexis Hodel, TCRG


by HELENE OSSIPOV, Feis America Magazine contributor

Time for awards at the 2010 Western US Oireachtas. My daughter is onstage, lined up with all the other dancers, listening and hoping her name isn’t called too soon. Then the announcement: The remaining dancers qualified for Nationals!

And so begins the preparations: Nationals prep classes, ordering a new dress, making hotel reservations, making plane reservations, requesting vacation time at work. Does she need a new wig? Shoes? Should we hope for a recall?

We check into the Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville and receive our wristbands. All around us, we see kids carrying large, wedge-shaped bags, just like at the Oireachtas. There’s even a Sikh wedding going on in the hotel, just like at the Oireachtas! After we drop our own wedge-shaped bag in our room, we go down to the ballrooms to see what was going on.

There’s a registration line, a place to buy programs, a T-shirt vendor, lots of other vendors. Girls in springy wigs and boys in snazzy vests are dancing in the hallways, practicing anywhere they can find room. Just like at the Oireachtas, only the space is bigger and there are more people.

The next morning, after an early breakfast, we go to the ballroom for my daughter’s competition. The ballrooms are large and people have set up camp, claiming several chairs each for dress bags, shoe bags, make-up, and all the other paraphernalia. We chat with the families sitting in front and in back of us, while my daughter and her TCRG warm up and put finishing touches on make-up. Just like at the Oireachtas. The stage managers call for the dancers to check-in and pick up their numbers. Just like at the Oireachtas.

Then the dancing begins. And it’s not at all like the Oireachtas. Here are the best dancers in North America and even some from overseas. The technique and choreography and skill level are orders of magnitude beyond what we see at the Oireachtas. It was amazing and wonderful to watch.

No, my daughter didn’t recall, but she wasn’t too disappointed. It was a great experience, just to be there, seeing some terrific dancers, being part of the excitement. Now she knows what to expect for next year!

Did you experience the North American Irish Dance Championships for the first time this past July as well? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Photo Credit: Helene Ossipov

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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!

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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!

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Fourth of July in Nashville at Irish Dance Championships

Mulhern (IL) sparklers dressed in new cheerwear that shouted America and delighted everyone who saw them as they practiced their ceili dances.

Nashville, Tennessee has one of the greatest fireworks displays every Independence Day and this year, the continent's very best Irish dancers kicked up some sparks of their own here! The team titles for the North American Irish Dancing Championship teams and most of the boy's solo titles were up for grabs on Monday, July 4th at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Madison Dalton, Erin and Kaitlyn Tognettifrom Broesler (MD/NJ)

Melissa McCarthy, 2011 North American Champion Girls under 15 withTayler Nunes, 2nd place Boys under 16 from Harney Academy (MA)

Caleigh and Katie from Walsh-Kelley

Feis America on Irish Central has been expressly prohibited from posting live commentary and real-time results by the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America. Follow live at www.nanationals.net and stay tuned here for fun and photos all week long!

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