Trinity Irish Dancers Win Big at World Qualifier

Palatine (November 29, 2016)--For months, Chicago competitors from the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance have been rigorously training for the Mid-America Championships of Irish dance (called the Oireachtas), a vibrant, culturally rich activity reminiscent of competitive sport where top qualifiers earn World Championship qualification. Each Thanksgiving weekend, the regional championships brings together competitors from 70 dancing schools across 14 participating states, this year’s competition was held at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Trinity Irish Dancers led all Mid-American Irish dancing schools winning 8 championship titles.

Three local girls, Julia Watychowicz (age 8) and Erin Coleman (age 9) of Mount Prospect, and Kyra Himawan of Palatine all competed and placed in the Midwestern Regional Championships. Despite outstanding performances this weekend, the three are actually too young to compete at the World Championship of Irish dance. However, Sydney Niewiedzial (age 15), who placed 2nd out of 115 competitors, along with Margaret Nalley (13) will go forward to represent Trinity and the greater Palatine area on the global stage this April 9-16 in Dublin, Ireland.

Other local comemmorable performances by: Tess Schmidt (9), and Sophia Vrbancic (7) both from Palatine.

While Trinity Irish Dancers has won an unprecedented 36 world titles, more than any other dance school in North American history, instructors encourage dancers to focus on the journey, rather than the trophies. Their powerful philosophy of empowerment teaches students life lessons both on and off the dance floor, and the importance of having fun while developing self-respect and confidence.

About Trinity Academy of Irish Dance:
Trinity Academy welcomes dancers between three and a half and ten. From the first class, dancers learn poise, confidence, discipline and balance through teamwork and leadership. Dancers determine their own level of participation, whether it be competitive or purely recreational. Instructors use a distinct, noncompetitive teaching method that places children on a journey, teaching the beauty of the dance form as well as cultural and life lessons along the way. Trinity’s team dancers have garnered an unprecedented 36 world titles for the United States. Trinity dancers have appeared on nearly every major television network in the U.S. through the following guest appearances: “Conan," “The Today Show,” “The Tonight Show,” “CBS This Morning,” Good Morning America,” “The Martha Stewart Show.” Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has convenient locations in Chicagoland, the greater Milwaukee area, and Madison. They are currently accepting new enrollment for the 2016-17 school year. Locations include: Elmhurst, Lakeview, Chicago's Northwest Side, Chicago's West Loop, Palatine and Western Springs in Illinois, and the Milwaukee, Brookfield, Grafton, Muskego, Sun Prairie, and Verona in Wisconsin. For more information, call 877-326-2328 or visit www.trinityirishdance.com