Diddlyi Dancer Spotlight: Pamela Maher
Name: Pamela Maher
School/Dancing Organization: Eireann Go Bragh (CAID)
Dancing Level: Open Championship
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
How did you first become interested in Irish dancing?
Growing up I would always watch my gran’s Riverdance and Lord of the Dance videos and try copy their fast feet by jumping about in her living room. When I was about 9, my best friend Naomi took my along to her dance class to watch one night. I quit my ballet class the next day to start Irish dancing!!
How long have you been dancing?
About 9 – 10 years now
Where did you learn your first steps?
Eleanor Hughes School of Irish Dancing. It is part of An Comhdhail.
How is Irish dancing viewed where you live? Was it difficult to find a dance school or dance group?
An Comhdhail and An Com are really popular in Scotland. CAID is much smaller and I have to travel over an hour to get to my new class – it’s worth it though!
Do your friends/family understand why you Irish Dance?
They understand how much Irish dancing means to me; it is my life! My mum is proud of me no matter what and seeing me happy makes her happy. My friends think it’s cool how your feet can move so fast but don’t really understand why we have to wear curly wigs!
Do you have any particular things you’ve achieved through dance you’d like to share with Diddlyi?
I won the Under 19 WIDA European Championship in April, which was the best feeling in the world! I placed 6th at the World Championships too. Dancing at the Europeans and the Worlds in Germany was such an amazing experience.
What’s the most important thing you have learned from dancing? Or do you have anything you want to say to other dancers?
Don’t give up! Anything is possible if you dream it hard enough. Be determined and give it your all in everything that you do. Enjoy it, that’s the main thing!
What’s your favorite dance show and/or performer and why? Or is there any performer (even non dancing related) you admire?
Riverdance is a classic, I don’t think I could ever get bored watching it.
What’s the greatest thing about your dance school/dance group?
We are a very small class of only about 15 dancers, we’re like a family. 
Everyone is so supportive of each other and no one is left out. We have such a laugh in class, it’s really relaxed and fun, but we also work really hard with our dancing, we’re always trying crazy steps to try and be different!
Do you have any fun/interesting/unusual stories about something that happened to you while dancing?
Last weekend we travelled 9 hours to England on a bus to dance at the Edmunds Feis. We were so tired but we had the best weekend ever! When I was dancing my set dance in the championship, a part of my tiara flew off and landed right in front of the adjudicator! I’m so glad it didn’t hit her, I wouldn’t have been able to stop laughing when I was dancing if it had!
Can you give us a little background about you (non dancing related)?
I’m 17 years old. I’ve just finished school and I’m going to university in September to study forensic science, I can’t wait! I passed my driving test recently and love driving everywhere in my little car. I work part-time in a clothes shop called Wallis. My friends are amazing, I love them millions, we have the craziest times ever!
Is there anything else you’d like say/highlight or anyone you would like to thank?
My teacher, Kirsty Laird!! I’ve only been dancing with Eireann Go Bragh for a year and in this short time she has taught me so much. I thank her so much for believing in me and putting in all her hard work because I appreciate it so much! I love all the girls in the class, we laugh constantly! There is not a better feeling in the world than seeing my mum so proud of me, thank you for traveling to all the competitions over the years with me and being my number 1 fan!
Pamela In One Word:
Pamela: Happy
Best thing about ID: Friends
Worst thing about ID: Streaky-fake-tan!
Strangest thing about ID: Wigs :S
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♣ Related Links
To see Pamela’s photos on Diddlyi, click here.
Diddlyi Dancer Spotlight: Delaney [Treblemaker44]
All Diddlyi Spotlights
Diddlyi Blog
*Images courtesy of Pamela’s profile.
**If you are interested in participating in a Diddlyi Dancer Spotlight or Member Spotlight, please send a message to Rebecca.
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