Fiona Schaack, 16, of St. Louis Park, especially enjoys the connection that Irish dance provides to her Irish heritage. Tracing her Irish heritage from County Tipperary to the mid-1800s and Minnesota’s first Irish settlement at Jessenland, Fiona tells us that her Irish heritage has always been important to her. She first “discovered” Irish dance at the St. Paul St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a girl of 7. She tells us that the dancers “were representing Irish culture while putting on an amazing performance, having fun and wearing pretty costumes. What more could I ask for?” It’s not surprising that Fiona tells us that St. Patrick’s Day is her favorite time of year and her favorite part of Irish dance.

Fiona dances with Onórach Mulhern Geraghty School of Irish Dance. Fiona met the challenges of 2020 and adapting to on-line instruction with determination, eager to make progress with every class. Fiona’s recommender calls Fiona’s work ethic “exemplary,” letting us know that has held herself accountable by “engaging in every Zoom class, analyzing and sending videos for teacher review, doing everything she could to continue to progress in these challenging times.”

In addition to her love of dancing, Fiona also appreciates the community and sense of family that she finds in Irish dance – telling us that “the dance family there has given me a place where I belong.” And she acknowledges the role that older dancers have played in teaching and encouraging her – providing her with someone to look up to and admire. Her recommender tells us that Fiona is a “true team player…she delights in the success of others” and that “the younger dancers admire her for her talent, but they especially enjoy how approachable and kind she is.” Fiona tells us “Dance to me means family, culture, and a source of happiness and learning.”
Fiona has enjoyed her opportunities to dance in wide range of venues in the community – retirement homes, places of worship, schools, parades, charity fundraisers, hospitals, and (of course) the Landmark Center.

Fiona has worked diligently toward her goal in Irish dance – “to continue to improve my dancing and attend a major Irish dance competition,” attaining OC (Open Champ) level in January 2020. She planned to use her IMDA Educational Grant for travel expenses for National Irish Dance Competition this past July in Phoenix, AZ.

The Irish Music and Dance Association is pleased to help this dedicated young dancer move along on her Irish dance journey.