Local Brookfield Dancer Becomes Regional Champion for Third Year in a Row

Milwaukee (November 28, 2016)--For months, Milwaukee competitors from the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has 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 in Schaumburg, IL. Local Brookfield dancer, Gabby Panther, took home the gold placing 1st out of 114 competitors for the third year in a row.

"When Gabby was 7 she won her first regional title. Now, at the age of 9 she has three championship titles under her belt. Gabby is a well rounded student whose work ethic and natural talent make her a leader." Laura McNamara, Gabby's coach, said. Besides coaching championship students, Laura also teaches beginning Irish dancers at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center.

Other local Top Qualifiers include: Kyleigh Wiken (age 8), Claire Kennison (age 8), Ashton Baumann (age 10), Annabel Brayer (age 11), Rowan Coyle (age 12) Ryan Chrapla (age 16) , Jackson Evans (age 16).

While Trinity Irish Dancers have 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.

Learn the Jig from some of the nation’s top dancers and celebrate with your local world qualifiers as we offer a free lesson this Friday December 2nd at our home studios located at 577 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI. The 30 minute lesson will begin at 5:00 pm and you will have the opportunity to meet some of your local champions. After the lesson, you are invited to walk down to the Christmas Tree Lighting in the Third Ward and catch our performance outdoors at 6:00 pm!

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