These Sisters are Stepping an Irish Jig

Name and age:  Alyssa Souza, 8 and Maura Souza, 6       

Accomplishment:  Inspired by their Irish heritage, Alyssa and Maura Souza have been Irish step dancing for the past three years.

After a few years of ballet classes, the girls knew they enjoyed dancing, but wanted to do something where they could jump and skip more with their feet.  Inspired by having watched other girls perform Irish step dancing, they wanted to learn to do the same.

The sisters have since been attending classes once a week at McInerney School of Irish Step Dance in Hopedale.

“I like going to classes because you move around a lot,” says Alyssa.

Beginning with learning simple steps like point to point, the girls can now perform a wide range of dances from jigs to skip dances.

“I like learning new steps for different dances,” says Maura Souza.

Key to Awesomeness:

Alyssa who has been dancing a little longer than Maura moved onto other forms of dance after ballet before taking up Irish step dancing.

“I practice at home a little,”  Alyssa said.  “Sometimes Maura and I practice together.”

Over the years, the girls have competed in several feis where they perform their dance steps in front of several judges.  They advance to the next level after successfully passing the requirements of the lower level.

“I get a medal for each competition I pass,” says Maura.

In addition to several feis in a year, the girls also participate in other events like the Worcester St. Patrick’s Day parade where they get to show off some of those quick steps they learn all year long.

They are now getting ready for a holiday feis.

Congratulations from Hopkinton Patch for being this week’s Whiz Kid.  To nominate a kid, email faith594@msn.com.