Local Teens Win Big - Headed to Irish Dance World Championships in Scotland

Elmhurst, IL (December 2, 2015) The results just in! While millions of families sat down to give thanks this past weekend, members of the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance struck gold at the Mid-America Regional Irish Dance Championships, known as the Oireachtas (prn: Ore-Ach-Tas), held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dancers ages 6-20 from the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance with locations throughout Chicagoland and the greater Milwaukee and Madison areas, won a whopping 8 gold medals in competitions with as many as 180 entrants, and led all Midwest schools in categories including most World Qualifiers, most National Qualifiers, most Top Ten, Top Five and Top Three placements.

Break out results came from within Trinity’s renowned “Men of Trinity” program where eight male dancers won podium placements, six of which were in the top three. In addition, for the first time in over a decade, 100% of Trinity’s teams secured a spot in the top of their competition. 94% of those teams held a spot on the podium which is more than twice of any other participating dance school.

This puts Trinity, winners of unprecedented world titles, in a strong position as they prepare to represent the United States at the 2016 World Irish Dance Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, March 20-27.

Trinity Instructor Anne Blume states, “This level of competition is where kids learn the resilience that will make them successful leaders in life. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work, team spirit, and graciousness I saw demonstrated by the dancers this weekend. I am a very happy coach.”

Annabel Brayer, Age 10 took 5th place at the Mid-America Oireachtas over the weekend. She has been dancing with Trinity Academy of Irish Dance for 6 years. Annabel is from New Berlin, Wisconsin where she attends Holy Apostles school and is a parishioner at the Holy Apostles Parish. She will be attending the World Irish Championships in Glasgow, Scotland March 20th-27th where her goal is to make it to the final round. When she isn’t dancing, she enjoys playing basketball along with learning the piano.

Lydia Fredrick, Age 14 took 12th place at the Mid-America Oireachtas over the weekend. She has been dancing with Trinity Academy of Irish Dance for 10 years. Lydia is from New Berlin, Wisconsin where she attends New Berlin Eisenhower High School and is a parishioner at St. Mary’s Hales Corners. She will be attending the World Irish Championships in Glasgow, Scotland March 20th-27th. This is her fifth Oireachtas. Her goal this year was to qualify for the World’s, which she has. When she isn’t dancing or mentoring the younger kids, she plays the silver flute, as well as the Irish tin whistle.

Vivienne Anderson, Age 10 took 16th place at the Mid-America Oireachtas over the weekend. She has been dancing with Trinity Academy of Irish Dance for 4 years. Vivienne is from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin where she attends Wilson/WTSEM. She will be attending the World Irish Championships in Glasgow, Scotland March 20th-27th where her goal is to make it to the final round. When she isn’t dancing, she enjoys playing soccer and hopes to one day be an athletic trainer.

For a limited time, in celebration of their success, Trinity Academy of Irish Dance is offering a special 8 week children’s Irish dance bootcamp beginning in January. The course will teach children the basics of Irish dance, while also providing students the option to participate in some of Trinity’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities for which the school has well-established notoriety. Information can be found at www.trinityirishdance.com or by calling 855-95-TRINITY.

About Trinity Irish Dancers:

For over 30 years, Trinity has thrilled audiences with their inspiring showmanship and been a flagship for dance programs worldwide. From humble beginnings in church basements to sold-out performance tours across Europe, Asia and North America, the Trinity Irish Dancers have consistently redefined the genre and elevated everyone who has seen them by sharing their undying energy, innovation and passion for the art form. Trinity was the birthplace of “progressive Irish dance” which opened the artistic pathways that led directly to commercial shows like Riverdance. In Trinity’s unique program, instructors focus on the importance of having fun while developing self-respect and confidence in their students. The Trinity program is held together by their powerful philosophy of empowerment that teaches students life lessons both on and off the dance floor. This philosophy, the teachers who teach it and the students who benefit from it have garnered national attention. Soles a PG feature film about the unique love of a father and son set against the backdrop of Trinity’s early pursuit of a World Championship is currently being pitched in Los Angeles. In addition, a docu-series about the Trinity Irish Dancers and its community, produced by noted documentarian Danny Lee, is in the works.