Young Irish Step Dancers Shine On World Stage: Photos, Video

NORTH FORK, NY — Nine young girls who worked for months — practicing, fundraising and planning — saw their dreams come true on an international stage this weekend: The local girls step danced off to Dublin, Ireland, where they competed in the the CRG World Irish Dance Championship and made their hometowns proud.

According to mom Cynthia Cichanowicz, the girls, all students at "My Pulse My Passion School of Irish Dance," in Mattituck, fundraised locally, "using their pure talent of Irish step dancing" since December in order to get to the competition in Ireland, for which they won a spot and a chance to showcase their talents on the international canvas.

The girls' instructor Kyleen Vernon traveled with them.

And after the competition, Vernon said she could not be more proud: "We traveled across 'the pond' into the unknown and these lovely young ladies more than rose to the occasion," she said. "I am delighted with the energy, skill, and perseverance that they embodied all weekend long. With placements first through tenth these dancers came and made a name for themselves. We even had one of our own, Tori, get injured and she returned to the stage to finish the champion competition with grace. I was so proud watching and love each and every one of them. I can't thank my dancers and their families enough for their commitment and drive. They danced like no one was watching, even though the world stage was."

Brooke Dailey's daughter Lila has been dancing with My Pulse, My Passion since she was four years old. "Never would I have imagined that a mere six years later she would be dancing —and placing! — on the world stage in Ireland. Irish dance has proven to be an incredibly positive outlet for Lila, both physically and emotionally," she said. "I am so grateful to Kyleen for instilling in her and her team a superior level of skills and passion enough to compete in Ireland. We are so thrilled to have this opportunity and are so thankful to all who supported our fundraising efforts to help us get here."

The girls won a sea of awards, including first place for the Under 13 Two Hand Reel; second place for the Intermediate Under 14 Slip Jig; third place for Primary 14 and Older Single Jig; fourth place for Primary 14 and Older Hornpipe; fourth place for Intermediate Under 13 Hornpipe; fourth place for Intermediate 15 and Over Treble Reel; fourth place for Open Champion Treble Jig; Fifth Place for Open Champion Hornpipe; fifth place for Under 13 Treble Reel; fifth place for Freestyle Teachers' Intervention Dance; and fifth place in Under Intermediate 13 Treble Reel, Cichanowicz said.

Although some of the girls have already headed home, the rest will fly home Wednesday and are on their way to Galway, seeing the country, she added.

The girls put their hearts into training: Some have been dancing for only five years, while others have up to 15 years of experience Irish step dancing.

"I'm so pleased to be bringing nine dancers to compete in CRG worlds. Although it's their 30th year we are truly 'green' on the world's stage. Can't wait to see what the weekend brings but I'm already so proud of them and honored to be their teacher," Vernon said before the competition.

Girls who danced included Katie O'Connor, 13, from East Moriches, Kate Foley, 14, from Aquebogue, Maeve Bailey, 11, from Jamesport, Naomi Cichanowicz, 14, from Peconic, Chloe Phillips, 13, from Southampton, Caitlin Friscia, 15, of Hampton Bays, Tori Alessi, 20, of Mastic, Tori Rudnick, 12, of Center Moriches, and Lila Dailey, 9, of New Suffolk.

"We are so excited to be here in Dublin Ireland representing our school," Cichanowicz said. "We would like to thank the East End community back home and everyone who helped get the girls here throughout our fundraising during the year."

Patch photos, video courtesy Cynthia Cichanowicz, Kyleen Vernon.