Irelandrose Langer of St. Michael, MN became interested in Irish dance when she came to IMDA’s Day of Irish Dance as an eight-year-old. Irelandrose dances with Rince Nua Irish Dance in Maple Grove. This dedicated young dancer loves competing, most recently placing 6th at the CRN World Championships in Killarney, Ireland in June 2018. (Irelandrose’s dance teacher is Erin Cooney, ODCRN, who is certified through the Cumann Rince Náisiúnta in Dublin, Ireland.) Irelandrose has danced extensively here in the Twin Cities, participating in IMDA’s Landmark events and Irish Fair as well as performing with traveling Irish bands. She has been able to build her skills by attending the Riverdance Summer School at Trinity College in Dublin. Irelandrose loved meeting other Irish dancers from around the world. Being cast in Studio2Stage productions in New Jersey and New York in the summers of both 2017 and 2018 gave her the opportunity to learn from professional dancers while being part of intense training leading up for presenting a professional show.
Irelandrose has an exciting new opportunity in 2019 – she will be spending two months in Dublin, Ireland training with Naomh Fionnbarrah School of Irish Dance, in preparation for the World Championships. Irelandrose will use her IMDA Educational Grant to cover the cost of dance classes in Ireland, as well as entry fees for competition there. She will attend classes three times a week and meeting with a trainer once or twice a week to improve her health and fitness. She hopes to enhance her knowledge about Irish dance and to deepen her understanding of the art and the sport, as well as enhancing her appreciation of the culture of Ireland. She imagines that she will “be truly immersed into the culture as I live there … and go about my day like dancers in Ireland do on a daily basis.” Studying Irish dance in Ireland is something Irelandrose has always dreamed of.
While she enjoys competing, Irelandrose delights in performing at the many community events that welcome Irish dancers – nursing homes, schools, and restaurants. She “loves to see the look on people’s faces” when she dances and especially enjoys seeing the reactions of audience members who haven’t seen much Irish dance.
Irelandrose has also helped coach young dancers working on a new step or dance and improving their technique. Her recommender tells us that Irelandrose “has demonstrated her devotion to the Irish dance community by mentoring, instructing, and inspiring fellow dancers. She has taken several younger dancers under her wing and helped them to build confidence while guiding them toward success.”
Irelandrose has worked hard both in the dance studio and in earning the needed funds for this big adventure and she looks forward to sharing all that she hopes to learn in Ireland, and to encouraging other dancers to pursue their dreams.
The Irish Music and Dance Association is delighted to help this dedicated young dancer continue to pursue her dreams.