Irish Dance Groups Bring Taste of Dublin to St. Pat's Celebrations

With St. Patrick's Day coming up, a couple of local dance troupes are gearing up to participate in a parade that's sure to put a little extra skip in your step.

Both St. Louis Irish Arts (SLIA) in Maplewood and the Mayer-Torno School of Irish Dance in Brentwood will have floats at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown St. Louis on Saturday. Students marching down the parade route on foot will accompany the selected award-winning dancers performing on the floats.

Helen Gannon, the president of St. Louis Irish Arts and the North American Chairperson of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, operates the dance group in the old Immaculate Conception School on Anna Avenue.

Students from SLIA compete across the nation and internationally. A group of 27 students went on last year's two-week trip to Ireland.

"It’s a great program for any young person who wants to learn the art form who has perhaps an interest in music or an interest in dance," Gannon said.

Although many in the program come from an Irish heritage, students need not trace their roots to Eire to participate. South Asian and African American children have joined as well, along with students from other ethnic backgrounds.

"I think that we attract people based on trying to preserve their culture whatever that may be," Gannon said. "The interest in the art form is so healthy for them that once they come into it, they don’t leave it."

Students from age 4 through high school may sign up for private or group lessons. Gannon invites some graduates to return to teach during their college years.

Abbey Fronick may well become one such student. The Notre Dame High School senior and harp player already assists Gannon with teaching the youngest students to play traditional tunes on pennywhistle.

Having joined SLIA at the age of 5, Fronick has grown with the group for 12 years.

"It's great. You get to meet a lot of people by doing it," Fronick said at an evening rehearsal on March. 2

Fronick has traveled with SLIA to competitions and festivals near and far, from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and from Canada to Ireland. She is one of many students of Gannon's to receive the Congressional Award, which recognizes American youth from age 14 to 23 who have dedicated themselves to excellence and accomplishing several long-term challenges.

The combination of fun and discipline creates a rewarding experience for children exploring their interests.

"We run a fairly tight ship, but we’ve been amazed about what these young people do without being asked to do," Gannon said. "It’s a very self-driven program, but also our teachers and myself, we have consequences for everything, and we have no problem with the kids."

Zohra Coday, 16, enjoys the boost of confidence she receives when her effort in practice pays off at performances.

"It makes me feel like I can do something not a lot of people can do," Coday said.

Approximately 90 students are in the program, Gannon said.

Meghan Torno, who directs the Mayer-Torno School, said that 100 students from age three to 21 compete for the school in Brentwood. Those past school age who register for adult classes find Irish dance to be a great source of exercise.

"Our school is very competitive," Torno said. "These kids are very disciplined, work extremely hard. They work together as a team."

Part of the draw of Irish dance over ballet or tap dancing comes from the constant motion.

"I think it’s a lot livelier, more exciting and athletic," Torno said. "Irish dancing is extremely energetic, jumping up and down the whole time."

Saturday's parade begins at the intersection of 18th and Market streets at noon. The parade will proceed even in the case of rain, according to the event's website.

St. Louis Irish Arts will also perform the following day at the Missouri History Museum. The free event begins at 1 p.m.

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