McGrath Irish Dancers Win Top Honors at Regional Competition in Dallas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McGrath Dancer Wins Trophy Established by Teacher’s Late Mother
McGrath Academy of Irish Dance announces three first-place wins at the Southern Region Oireachtas, plus numerous national and world qualifications
Manassas, Va.–Friday, Dec. 11, 2015–Dancers from the McGrath Academy of Irish Dance won three first place awards – girls under age 8, boys under age 10 and ceili team under age 10 – at the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America (IDTANA) Southern Region Oireachtas in Dallas, Friday, Dec. through Sunday, Dec. 6.
Nearly 2,000 dancers from the southern region – the Alabama, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Mexico – competed at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
Reilly Savage, Springfield, Va., took first for girls under 8. Patrick Gareau, Dumfries, Va., won first boys under 10. And the mixed eight-hand (eight dancers) ceili team came in first also.
As if that wasn't exciting enough, the school owner, Lauren McGrath Dutton, ADCRG, TCRG, got a little surprise too. After the excitement of Patrick's win, she sat down to look at his perpetual trophy. It was established by her late mother, in honor of her grandfather. She didn't even know the trophy existed until one of her students won it.
“I had no idea that my mother donated the perpetual trophy to the Southern Regional championships in honor of my late grandfather, John F. McGrath,” said Lauren McGrath Dutton. “My mother, Jeanne McGrath Pearson, would have been extremely proud to know that my student won this trophy because my mother was responsible for my dancing career and was the original founder of the McGrath Academy in Northern Virginia back in the 70’s. I re-opened the Academy in 2004 and enjoyed the privilege of having my mother join the teaching staff in 2010 until she passed away in 2013”
“It is so very special to me to be able to bring back this perpetual cup to my studio,” she added.
Reilly Savage began dancing when she was 4 years old. She has travelled to competitions all over the United States, as well as a recent major championship, the Great Britain, in Bognor Regis, England.
REILLY QUOTE – “I was super excited to hear my name called as the U8 girls champion winner,” said Savage. “The best part of my day was sharing the results with so many of my friends who also did well. I am looking forward to learning new steps and competing at the North American Nationals!”
Patrick Gareau began dancing when he was 5 years old. He comes from a family full of dancers – his three siblings and four cousins are also competitive dancers.
“I was very excited when I heard my name called. Winning first place was a very important goal of mine. My family has worked very hard to support my training, travel, and everything else involved in my being able to dance competitively,” he said.“I am very grateful for that and my next goal is to be successful at the 2016 World Irish dance championships in Scotland.”
Patrick Gareau will be travelling to Glasgow, Scotland, March 20-27, 2016. Reilly Savage is too young to participate at the World Championships, as the youngest age group offered at this event is ages 10-11. However, Reilly absolutely intends to participate when she is old enough, and she also has plans to compete at another overseas championship in 2016.
The ceili team, composed of 8 boys and girls under the age of 10, started dancing together two years ago.
“As the primary instructor of the ceili team, I was very excited to know they had won the U10 ceili division,” said Ariel Raguso, TCRG. “When we formed this team two years ago my hopes were that they’d be winning in competition but also that they’d be enjoying themselves. It has been a great pleasure working with the children and I look forward to many more successes with our team dancers!”
Team members include Reilly Savage, 8, Nici Gareau, 8, Nick Lali, 8, Ashley Egan, 9, Micheala Lali, 9, Claire Wolstenholme, 10, Sophia Savage, 10, Patrick Gareau, 10.
“We were so happy when we won,” said team member Nici Gareau.“Dancing on a team is different from solo dancing because we all depend on each other to practice and dance well. Plus, we are all friends and have a great time dancing together!”
Many other McGrath dancers qualified for world championships and national championships, which will be held in Orlando this summer.
World Qualifiers:
Aerin Raguso, ladies over 20
Claire Wolstenholme, girls under 10
Patrick Gareau, boys under 10
National Qualifiers:
Reilly Savage, girls under 8
Audrey Brown, girls under 14
Mary Kate Gareau, girls under 14
Alyssa Imorde, girls under 14
Katie Kelly, girls under 13
Emily Graves, girls under 13
Brigid Nalls, girls under 12
Emily Bills, girls under 12
Ashley Egan, girls under 9
Nici Gareau, girls under 8
Aisling Reynolds, girls under 8
About McGrath Academy of Irish Dance
McGrath Academy of Irish Dance, based in Manassas, Va., was founded in January 2004. Classes are also offered in Lorton, Va., Purcellville, Va., Ashburn, Va., and Frederick, Md.
Lauren McGrath Dutton, ADCRG, TCRG, is second-generation TCRG and 2003 world championship dancer. Ariel Raguso, TCRG, is a 2013 world championship dancer.
Contact Information:
McGrath Academy of Irish Dance
9013 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110
703-772-1236; 301-482-1957
Editor’s Note: Photographs with costumed dancers and awards can be arranged.
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