Senior ladies champions 2011
Emily Penner 1st, Maggie Darlington 2nd, Emily Babyn 3rd
photo Deirdre Gallibois
Senior ladies
will be competing for the All Irelands Irish Dancing Championships this weekend. I
tracked down the top three champs of 2011 to get their thoughts and advice for
this year’s competitors.
Emily Penner, Maggie Darlington, and Emily Babyn know what it’s like to continue dancing past
their teens. None of the top three Senior Ladies are attending All Irelands
this year, but they are willing to share their insights with the dancers who
will be competing for the coveted spots for 2012.
“Senior Ladies is a whole new ball game
because you are competing against dancers of so many different ages,” says
Darlington (Claddagh Dance Company, US West). “Every year it is an
entirely new group of people so it's impossible to judge, or have a feeling of
the outcome before the day.” Babyn (Ni Fhearraigh O'Ceallaigh, Eastern Canada)
agrees, “The caliber of
dancing is just as high as the Worlds (sometimes higher!), and the atmosphere
is amazing. One of the great things about the All Ireland's is the opportunity
to receive "solo recalls" for the first two rounds.”
“I think the
biggest difference when dancing as a "Senior Lady" compared to being a
child or teen is the time commitment that competitive dancing takes,” says
Babyn. Penner (Butler Fearon O’Conner School of Irish Dance, Eastern Canada) reflects, “It did make me feel more
aware of the time I've spent training for and competing in competitions over
the last 17 years: reflecting back on the trials and successes.”
Penner was
surprised when she took first place with a perfect score of 500 last year. “I
was absolutely not expecting that,” she says, “When the first and second 100s
were announced I was then expecting lower scores and was thrilled knowing that
I'd end up in 2nd or 3rd overall. I think I looked confused more than anything
when the final three marks came up as the remaining 100s.”
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| Emily Penner and Emily Babyn 2011 Senior Ladies All Ireland Champions photo Deirdre Gallibois |
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Read more:
North American boys place at All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships Sunday
Health Tips for Families Traveling to All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships
Health Tips for Families Traveling to All Ireland Irish Dancing Championships
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What
advice do the ladies have for this year’s All Ireland Senior Ladies
competitors?
“First,
congratulations! Simply preparing yourself for a competition of
this standard
is a great achievement. Second, enjoy every moment of
being a Senior
Lady! This was my favorite age category to compete in,
the backstage
"buzz" is amazing. Everybody is so nice and every single
dancer is
there because their passion for dance is too strong to give
it up just
yet. Good Luck!!”
~ Emily
Babyn, 3rd place All Ireland 2011
"Just
to put your heart into it. If you're still competing at our age you obviously
love it, so you may as well put it all out there!"
~Maggie Darlington, 2nd
place All Ireland 2011
“Make sure to
let everyone know that Senior Ladies can still bring it!”
~Emily
Pennere 1st place All Irelands 2011
Thanks to Feis America blogger Darlene White for posting a full schedule of competitions at All Ireland. Below
is a listing of the Senior Ladies and Senior Men.
Friday, 17th of February
Ladies 19-20
Ladies 20-21
Senior Ceili and Figure Over 16
Ceili Club Championships
Ceili Club 4 Hands
Saturday, 18th of February
Ladies 18–19
Ladies Over 21
Men 18–19
Men 19–21
Men Over 21
Marie Duffy Foundation New Musical Composition –
Performance of Choreography
Ladies 19-20
Ladies 20-21
Senior Ceili and Figure Over 16
Ceili Club Championships
Ceili Club 4 Hands
Saturday, 18th of February
Ladies 18–19
Ladies Over 21
Men 18–19
Men 19–21
Men Over 21
Marie Duffy Foundation New Musical Composition –
Performance of Choreography
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