Irish dancers from the Duncan Studio of Celtic Dance in Paulshof once again excelled at this year’s South African Irish dance championships (South African Oireachtas 2019) held at Beaulieu College from 27 to 29 September.
The event, now in its 15th year since inception, attracts Irish dancers from around the country to compete in a variety of sections with the main event being the Craobh Comórtas, where dancers compete for trophies in their various age groups and aim to qualify for the world championships to be held in Dublin, Ireland in April 2020, which will be the 50th World Irish Dancing Championship.
“We are exceptionally proud of our dancers’ achievements,” said Sue Theron, founder of the Duncan Studios. “We had 36 dancers from ages five to 26 competing, with Jenna Abbott taking the title of SA Champion in the 18/19 age group and Kian Steytler (17) who has won the championship four times, is SA Champion in the Men and Boys All Ages group.
“Both dancers will go on to compete in the World Championships next year (in the U19 age group) along with Neil Roberts and Ruanne de Wit (senior men), Luca Davie (U16), Andrea van der Kuil (senior ladies), Anastasia Strouthos (U18) and Rachel Clack (U16), all of whom qualified.
“In the Priomh Comórtas (PC) section of the championship, Shriya Naidoo won the Bun Ghrád PC2 trophy in the 10/11 age group. Our dancers also won medals and trophies in the Céilí section which is group dancing comprising three, four, six or eight dancers. Our senior mixed Céilí team will also be competing at the World Championships.”
The studio was honoured to have Dr John Cullinane, Vice-President of the Dublin Irish Dancing Commission from Cork, Ireland, present at the championship as he has been instrumental in helping develop Irish dancing in South Africa over the past 21 years.
The championship was adjudicated by three international adjudicators: Dara O’Shea from Scotland, Marie Casey from Ireland and Katie Maquire from London, all of whom have numerous international accolades in Irish dancing.
“The judges and Dr Cullinane were very impressed with the standard of dancing,” said Theron.
“South Africa now has 25 registered teachers with most being qualified TCRGs (international teaching qualification) and Sue Theron being the first registered ADCRG (international adjudication qualification), but there will be many more to follow in the coming years,” commented Cullinane.
To help raise funds for their dancers to compete at the World Championships, the Duncan Studio is appealing to organisations to consider hiring them for entertainment at corporate events.
Details: Susan Theron 082 903 9785; sueirish@mweb.co.za
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