Carter O’Rourke, of Brooklyn Center, became interested in Irish dance at 4 years old when he watched his older sister Caidence trying Irish dance. Carter, who is now 11 years old, asked him mom if he could do it too and he says ”I have never really looked back.” Carter dances with the Hudson Academy of Irish Dance in Wayzata. (Carter’s sister and brother Caidence and Cullen are also dance with the Hudson Academy and both received IMDA Educational Grants in 2020.)

In addition to Irish dance, Carter is busy taking care of his many pets (3 dogs, 2 cants and 2 fish!) and is active in sports – playing both basketball and baseball. His recommender tells us that Carter has “kept up the difficult school-sport balance” and he excels in both sports as well as Irish dance!

Carter tells us that one of his favorite things about Irish dance is “just having fun and seeing your progression” and is proud of his advancement to Preliminary Champion. His recommender tells us that Carter “brings unwavering support to his fellow dancers and a dogged determination to improve each class,” and that he is tough on himself – holding himself to a high standard and striving toward excellence. Carter also reports that as a young dancer, he remembers always giving his older siblings Caidence and Cullen an attitude because he “wanted to be better or just at the same skill set as them.” Carter credits his siblings as important influences in his love of Irish dance as well of his teachers at Hudson and the many friends he has made along the way.

Carter has shared his dancing in community – dancing at nursing homes and day care centers as well as IMDA’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities and Irish Fair of Minnesota and tells us that “no matter how big or small the place we are performing we also put in 100% effort and work super hard.”

Carter has been preparing for Nationals with ZOOM classes, driveway lessons and more recently in-person classes and planned to use his IMDA Educational Grant for travel expenses and fees for the National Irish Dance Championships in Phoenix, AZ. He tells us “Right now my main goal is to have fun and just do well.”
The Irish Music and Dance Association is delighted to help this dedicated young dancer continue to pursue his goals.