by Joanne Ross
FOUR Stetson-wearing women are yee-haing in delight after being named champions of the world in country dancing.
The students of city’s Academy Dance Studio wowed at the Country Dance World Championships at that Mecca for country music fans, the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.
Clad in cowboy boots and displaying flawless talent, the young women beat competition from across the world to carry off the silverware.
Laura Carville was first in the novice teens, a group of dancers from the Newry dance school came first in the large troupe category, Niamh Hannaway was first in newcomer teen brand, Eleanor Carville was first in the newcomer open and dance teacher and Academy manager Claire Cunningham came a credible second in intermediate crystal.
Praising her protégés for their enthusiasm, Claire was thrilled by their success.
“Thirty of us were away, the youngest was 16 right up to me, aged 31,” she said.
“They all worked so hard for the competition and it’s good their efforts paid off. The competition was tough but they all did very well.”
Despite hours of practice in front of bedroom mirrors and sashaying at the dance studio, performing before the best in world presented some nerves.
“Of course, they do get nervous before stepping onto the stage but once they hear the music start up, they go for it and really enjoy it.”
As well as working hard on their routines, the dancers put in a lot of effort to raise money for their trip from bag packs and dancing at weddings.
And as soon as they returned home, work began in earnest for next year’s competition heats.
As well as that, there’s the European Masters in Liverpool later this month, All-Ireland competitions in Bundoran in April, the Tulip Challenge in Amsterdam in March, and City of Light Competition in Paris in July.
Ann Cunningham, proprietor of Academy Dance Studio, was the only Irish person on the world championship’s judging panel.
“The standard of dance was exceptional. Competitors are expected to have expertise in different motions of dance, Waltz, Lilt, Cuban, Smooth and Funky,” she said.
“It was an experience of a lifetime, the dancers loved every minute of it.” It has been a busy time for the Academy, as they have just moved to a bigger premises at John Mitchel Place from Rathfriland Road.
“We now have two studios which is great; it gives us the space we need,” Claire said.
“There’s so much going on that we need the space for our new cardio classes, as well as singing and drama workshops.”
Meanwhile, Academy dancers will be performing and teaching some moves at a 24-hour Danceathon at The Relic for earthquake-ravaged Haiti next Friday (February 12).
It start at 4pm and finishes at 4pm on Saturday.