Local Dance School Celebrates

National Champion

A Bethel dancer who studies at a Newtown dance school has been crowned champion at the North American Irish Dance Championships, held last month in Nashville, Tenn.

Kelly McCourt has excelled at Irish dancing since the age of 5, winning medals at the World Championships and eight regional titles. In 2003, she earned her first national title, and was thrilled to be standing on the top spot of the podium again this year in the Ladies Under 18 group.

“Winning the nationals is really an indescribable moment,” said Kelly, who graduated from Bethel High School in June. Kelly, who dances with The Gray School of Irish Dance in Newtown, dazzled judges by performing three separate routines before securing the top prize.

Irish dancing includes light dancing, which is energetic and requires dancers to jump and spin with enormous elevation and control, as well as heavy shoe dancing, which has sharp, rhythmic movements. At the Nationals competition, hundreds of dancers from all over North America and Europe begin the competition with a heavy shoe round and a light dancing round. Dancers then eagerly anticipate the announcement of the recalls to see if they’ve made it to the final round, which only includes the top half of the field.

Kelly recalled and won over the judges with a rhythmic set dance, danced in heavy shoes that could be compared to tap shoes because of the way they make beats to the music.

When she was announced as the champion, Kelly celebrated on stage with teachers Iris Gray Sharnick and Maura Gray, both certified teachers and adjudicators of Irish dancing.

“Kelly is an extremely dedicated dancer. Her success is a testament to her unbelievable drive and years of practice. She is pleasure to work with. I am really delighted for her,” Ms Sharnick said.

“I was so excited for Kelly on winning the North American title,” Ms Gray added. “Coupled with raw talent, artistry and athleticism, Kelly is a calm but ferocious competitor. Kelly’s solid work ethic and attention to detail has set her apart from the rest. It is a thrill to coach a dancer like Kelly.”

Upon her return home, the champion joined fellow Gray School dancers to celebrate her victory on July 30, National Dance Day, a day created by the producers of the television program So You Think You Can Dance. Kelly started the day showing off her flawless technique that has earned her so many awards, and dancers of all ages learned a National Dance Day routine, made T-shirts, and enjoyed an ice cream sundae.

The Gray School was started over 30 years ago by Iris Gray Sharnick, a Dublin native.

A longtime friend of Kelly’s is newly certified Irish dance teacher and former Gray School champion dancer Christina Dolzall of Newtown, who has recently returned from tours with renowned Irish dance shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

“I remember loving my first class at the Gray School,” Ms Dolzall said. “[More than] ten years later, my passion for dancing has only grown and being at class seems like a second home. I couldn’t be more proud of Kelly. She is an inspiration to all our young dancers.”

Kelly McCourt will begin her college career this fall. She has been accepted by the University of Connecticut, where she plans to study for a degree in business, but will continue to pursue dancing with the Gray School in hopes of winning more titles and continued success.

“I have no plans of ever leaving Irish dancing,” Miss McCourt says confidently, “It has become a part of me and I would not be complete without it.”

The Gray School resumes classes for all levels in September in Newtown, Danbury and Niantic. To learn more about the school, visit GraySchool.com or call 203-270-7001.