Trinity Wins Unprecedented World Titles for the United States at World Irish Dancing Championships; Ten Gold Medalists from Chicago Triumph

Chicago’s own Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has won unprecedented gold medals at the World Irish Dancing Championships, held April 17–23 in Dublin, Ireland. Among them is Glen Ellyn resident Grace Drinane.
 
Peter Dziak of Villa Park, Illinois (age 13), won the first solo gold medal in Trinity’s history. He now shares this distinction with another American who won the title back in 1975: Michael Flatley of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance fame.
 
Trinity’s Under 13 team including nine Chicago dancers became the 11th Trinity team to win a World title since the school was founded 30 years ago. Among American Irish dance schools, these wins now give Trinity the unrivaled distinction of winning gold in every World category that exists. Trinity has also won more World team titles than all other American Irish dance schools combined.
 
The Chicago-area team dancers who won gold are Taylor Calcagno (11, Elmhurst); Kara Clancy (11, Clarendon Hills); Grace Drinane (11, Glen Ellyn); Kasey Gelsomino (11, St. Charles); Moira Kramp (13, Arlington Heights); Maddie Monticello (12, Chicago/North Center); Samara Perkinson (11, Jefferson Park); Claire Scully (13, Arlington Heights); Skylar Tannenwald (11, Chicago/Lakeview).

Other important solo wins for Chicago-area Trinity dancers were Tyler Schwartz (19, Libertyville) who placed 3rd out of 36 competitors and Maggie Doyle (17, Villa Park) who placed 6th out of 150 competitors.

Head team coach Deirdre Mahoney (Palatine) said, “This team of unbelievably focused kids believed in themselves the whole way. For children between the ages of 10 and 12, their work ethic, focus and talent is amazing! As is our goal with all dancers in the Trinity program, this team will undoubtedly go on to be great leaders in their lives. Nobody will ever be able take this away from them and it’s something you simply cannot buy!”

Trinity lead solo instructor Natalie Howard (Chicago/Bucktown) added, “Peter winning a solo gold medal is an epic achievement for him, Trinity and the United States. I’m always fascinated how an organization that puts almost no premium on winning and all the focus on teaching life lessons continues to raise the bar competitively. Trophies and titles are the bi-product of a great philosophy that encourages our students to simply dance beautifully.”
 

Taste of Trinity registration is open
New students are invited to participate in Trinity’s Taste of Trinity program this summer, where boys and girls ages four through 12 discover the basics of Irish dance, learning the proper techniques of movement set to the rhythm of Irish music. Sessions take place in June, July and August throughout the Chicagoland area. Each session concludes with a special 15-minute performance for family and friends. No previous dance experience is necessary. Registration for Taste of Trinity is now open; space is limited. Cost per six-class session is $95, which includes a Trinity t-shirt. Contact Cynthia at 773-529-4822 ext. 35 or cynthia.oblein@trinitydance.com or visit trinityirishdancers.com. New students are also welcome to register for the full school year, which begins in early September. Space is limited and registration is now open. Students who begin classes this summer and fall can be performing by St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).

About Trinity
For 30 years, Trinity has thrilled audiences with its inspiring showmanship and been a flagship for dance programs worldwide. From humble beginnings in church basements to sold-out performance tours across Europe, Asia and North America, the Trinity dancers have consistently redefined the genre and elevated everyone who has seen them by sharing their undying energy, innovation and passion for the art form. Trinity was the birthplace of “progressive Irish dance,” which opened the artistic pathways that led directly to commercial shows like Riverdance.
 
In Trinity’s unique program, instructors focus on the importance of having fun while developing self-respect and confidence in their students. The Trinity program is held together by its powerful philosophy of empowerment that teaches students life lessons both on and off the dance floor. Trinity instructors utilize a noncompetitive teaching method that places children on a “journey” through Ireland, teaching the beauty of the dance form along with poise, agility, strength, confidence, sportsmanship and cultural lessons along the way.
 
While only five percent of Trinity dancers compete at the highest international levels, the great majority of students learn solo and team dances to celebrate Celtic traditions and have fun performing around town and competing in smaller local competitions. The Trinity program allows dancers to take Irish dance at their own pace, giving them the choice to get as much or as little as they want out of it. Classes for team and performance dance are optional.

The Trinity dancers have appeared in numerous feature films and on national television programs including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Martha Stewart Show to name a few. Trinity has also won two Emmy Awards for appearances on PBS.
                      
Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has locations in Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Palatine, Western Springs and the Northwest Side and Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago in Illinois; and numerous locations in Wisconsin. For more information, call 773-529-4822 or visit trinityirishdancers.com or facebook.com/trinityirishdancers.

###