Diddlyi Mag

St. Patrick’s Day Show Photos

Shelly Hathaway — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:40 +0000

The day before Saint Patrick’s Day, the Shelley Irish Dance Company did five shows in a row for local elementary schools. It was an exhausting day, but at the same time a whole lot of fun!

I took a few photos in between shows and also got some great shots of Tina Shelley & Johanna Lambert teaching the kids a few basic Irish dance moves. These are a few of my favorite shots. Visit my website to view the complete gallery.

View complete Saint Patrick’s Day gallery at my website: shellyhathaway.com
Photos by Shelly Hathaway Photography.

Break The Cycle

The Irish Dance Teacher — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:05:51 +0000

Photo Credit: Flickr User ronnie44052

After recent Major competitions I have had a little time to ponder an anomaly I had never noticed before. I have talked to a lot of my peers, as well as some older dancers who have set their sights on becoming a registered teacher. I guess I have one of those faces, because the back-stories come freely as we talk about where Irish Dance is now.

So many sad tales. So much betrayal, conniving, abandonment, ambition, indecision, frustration and greed, all mixed in with the friends made, the new paths taken, the goals adjusted and the battles won. It seems like no one has a straightforward tale. Has anyone started with one teacher and progressed all the way through untouched or untainted by drama? Has anyone been accepted by their own as they announced their plans to teach? All the stories I heard involved transferring with all its dark baggage, leaving the school of your genesis by choice or by force, abandoning your teacher or being abandoned by the same. I myself have a twisted tale. Don’t you?

But I can see behind all these woeful origins, I see hope sparking. The reasons you have survived are bright and beautiful, full of hope and energy to become something great. Your ambition is not to become just like “them”, it’s to be better, stronger, smarter, or perhaps more kind or honor tradition more. To prove that there is a better way.

I have heard that often children who were abused grow up to abuse. Girls who hated being nagged by their mother hear her tones in their voices later on. We do this because it’s somewhat pre-programmed. We can break out of the cycle, if we before make a clear decision of what we will do instead. Replace the problem with a solution, and then work. Don’t give in.

I see that this new generation will be the ones to revolutionize our little quirky world. If we can resist getting sucked into the quicksand. Let’s keep our minds and our hearts open. We are stronger together than pulling each other apart. It doesn’t have to be this way. Take the stories that formed you, often turbulent like the potter’s wheel, to form and shape something new, something that will be stronger. Let’s not react. Let’s act.

Is Irish Dancing Considered Cool?

Shelly Hathaway — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:07:04 +0000

I have wondered many times what the general public thinks about Irish dancers. There are those who will enjoy watching a show and those who simply will laugh when they see our poomfy wigs. High school feels like it was a long time ago now, but I remember we all received some sort of label when we were younger. There were the cool kids, the nerds, the jocks and often the activities you participated in would encourage others to label you.

So I wonder, what sort of a label would an Irish dancer receive? As far as I remember, dancers were usually considered popular and cool. But what about Irish dance? I honestly have no idea what sort of label I would get if I had Irish danced in high school. Since Irish dancers wear extreme costumes, it’s possible we would all be labeled nerds or weirdos. On the other hand, the strenuous workout required to perform an Irish step dance could be enough to label us as jocks. Yet again, we are dancers, and dancers are usually labeled as cool.

Don’t get me wrong, though. Cool or not, I couldn’t care less how I’m labeled. I Irish dance because I love it and if that makes me cool so be it. If being an Irish dancer is a way of proving I’m actually a nerd, then I’ll accept that as well. There are too many people who let labels influence what they think of themselves. I think Irish dance is cool, and to me, it doesn’t matter if I’m the only one who does.

What kind of label would you give to an Irish dancer?

Photo by Shelly Hathaway Photography.
Visit my Irish Dance Blog.

Feisonista Interviews John Carey

Feisonista — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:54:29 +0000

Image via Feisonista's Blog

Exciting post today! Through my contacts with Iconic Dancer, I got a chance to interview the one and only John Carey. If you’ve missed it, John Carey has consulted on a new hard shoe, the Iconic White and Iconic Black which I posted about last week. It’s definitely created a buzz in the Irish dance community! I’ll be interested in the response from dancers at Worlds.

Like I mentioned last time, John’s resume includes 8 World Championships and 8 All Ireland Championships. John was a dancer in the premier London showing of Riverdance and then went on to understudy Michael Flatley in Lord of the Dance before assuming the lead role himself. After retiring from the show life, he opened up the Carey Academy in 2007 which itself has several World Champions. Not bad! On to the Interview!

1. What was your favorite competitive dance experience?

Winning my first World title aged 10 was probably the memory that sticks in my mind. I remember the results being called out and hand written on the overhead projector (showing my age now). I was sitting with all of my friends from my class and they were all cheering when my marks came out.

2. Your dance resume is incredibly impressive. What is your advice for dancers looking to follow in your footsteps?

Hard work and practice!! Also listening to every bit of advice your teacher gives you and acting on it. They are trying to make you into the best dancer you can possibly be and sometimes when they are tough on you, you just have to remember they are doing it for your own good.

3. You’ve taught some amazing champion dancers. Do you have any advice for teachers on how to inspire and develop talent?

I feel like I am still learning as a teacher every day. When I started teaching, I obviously knew how to dance but it is a completely different skill to teach. Passing the TCRG exam doesn’t really prepare you for teaching your class! I find that you have to take each individual and treat them differently. Its like you have to be a psychologist as well as dancing teacher! Some dancers need constant encouragement and praise and with that they will push themselves harder. Others are the opposite and only put in good performance after being told they can do better and what they are doing is not good enough! Its a very fine line!

4. What are some key differences between show dancing and competitive dancing?

During a show 90% of the time you are being watched by people who know nothing about the technicalities of Irish dancing, so the main focus is on the performance. I think personality is a huge factor in being a good show dancer, yes you have to have the technical ability but charisma will carry you much further in the show world than perfect feet placement. Obviously when Irish dancers watch the shows they are looking for both! So you often find the leads in the big shows have equal measures of technical ability and stage presence/charisma. In competition it is much more about the technical aspect, precise footwork, perfect carriage and timing etc. However I do feel that the performance element is getting more and more in competitive dancing as well.

5. How do you develop choreography? Where do you get your inspiration from?

Choreographing is my favourite part of teaching. I get inspired by absolutely everything I see. Musicality is very important to me and when I am choreographing set dances I sing the tune over and over in my head to make sure each part reflects the highs and lows in the music.

6. One of my favorite parts of Irish dance is that it continues to evolve. What do you like about the current steps and where do you see things going in the future?

I love seeing new moves and people experimenting with new rhythm patterns. I see a lot of things which have been inspired by tap, flamenco, and even the King of Pop Michael Jackson that people have taken and put an Irish twist on it. I think this is great that the art form can evolve like this and look forward to seeing what the next generation bring.

7. Fashions have definitely changed over the years! What was your look like when you danced?

I wore a kilt for nearly all of my competitive career!! With a Velvet jacket piped around the edges. When I competed in my last World Championships in Glasgow 2002, after being in Lord of the Dance for 4 years. Nobody was wearing kilts any more so I wore trousers for my last competition. I still like the kilts however and my boys wear them for teams however I think it is good to have the option of wearing trousers as I think the kilts put a lot of boys off starting dancing when I was growing up.

8. What is your favorite Irish dance competition?

I love the American Nationals! Mainly because I like traveling and seeing new places. Also that everything is usually under one roof in a really nice hotel makes it very convenient. As its July I can usually work on my tan in between watching competitions!

9. What do you enjoy outside of Irish dance?

I enjoy going to the gym which i do 5 times a week, exercise really motivates me. I usually go first thing in the morning at around 7am before work and it really kickstarts my day! Other than that I love to travel and visit new places. I feel really lucky that dancing, teaching and adjudicating have helped me see the entire world. One place i have yet to go is South Africa, I see that dancing is really taking off there so hopefully will get to visit there soon!

To view Feisonista’s original blog, click here.

A New Day

The Irish Dance Teacher — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:37:30 +0000

Photo Credit: Flickr User ronnie44052

You trickle in, softshoes in hand, and sit on the ground to loosen the laces and slide your feet in. I turn on some music and a couple of you can’t wait until after the warmup. You just have to dance. You start running the new section of your reel and asking me questions. Yes, yes, I danced in the aisles at the market too.

Another student arrives and several huddle together to hear each other’s news. I love that you’re friends, but I hide it under a stern admonishment that we need to get to work. Another girl bounds in to give me a hug. It makes me feel excited to start the day. We’re partners in a goal, and it’s thrilling for all of us to see the improvement.

Okay, time to focus. The drill music goes on and everyone begins to move together, slow at first, lazily stretching tight muscles and sore joints, then increasing in spring as the blood flows. I worked that muscle hard last week, and we both enjoy exchanging tales of how sore we are from that drill last time. Finally, your faces begin to shine and it’s time to dance.

Let’s get to work.

Shelley Irish Dance Company Rehearsal Photos

Shelly Hathaway — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:31:45 +0000

Sometimes when the Shelley Irish Dance Company has a rehearsal, I like to take a few photos when I’m not dancing. Here are some of my favorites from recent practices. Enjoy!

View complete Shelley Irish Dance Company galleries at my website: shellyhathaway.com
Photos by Shelly Hathaway Photography

Tina Shelley & Johanna Lambert, The Finest Irish Dance Teachers In Utah

Shelly Hathaway — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:50:13 +0000

Being a part of the Shelley School of Irish Dance has been the most fun and rewarding experience of my life. When I first decided that I wanted to learn to Irish dance, I did a Google search for “Irish Dance Utah“. The results showed two certified schools to choose from: the Crawford School of Irish Dance and the Shelley School of Irish Dance. The Crawford School was located in the Salt Lake Valley and the Shelley School was located in Utah Valley. The Shelley School was closest to where I lived at the the time, so initially that’s why I chose to go there.

Little did I know I chose the best TCRG certified instructor anyone could hope for. Not only is Tina Shelley an amazing Irish dance teacher, she’s also an extremely happy person who knows how to make every class exciting and fun. It still baffles me how she is able push us hard every class and yet still maintain a very relaxed and fun environment.

About 5 years after I started dancing at the Shelley School, the amount of students began growing fast. That’s when Tina’s sister, Johanna Lambert, also a TCRG certified instructor, moved to Utah to help out. We were all pleased to learn the Jo is just as wonderful a teacher as Tina. She pushed us hard, sometimes even harder than Tina, but at the same time she kept the environment very relaxed and fun.

Since Tina and Jo are sisters it’s very enjoyable to watch them working together. You can’t help but smile when you see them laughing with each other or coming up with new choreography together. They make a wonderful team and I feel so lucky to be a part of the amazing school they have created. In 9 years I’ve never stopped looking forward to every class, anticipating the exciting new things we’re going to learn that day.

If you live in Utah and are wondering which Irish dance school is the best choice for you, there is no better choice than the Shelley School. Tina and Jo have had a huge influence on my life. I love everything about the Shelley School and can’t wait find out what we’re going to learn next.

Visit the Shelley School Website to sign up for classes today!
Photos by Shelly Hathaway Photography

2012 March Madness: There’s Nothing Like Being An Irish Dancer On St. Patrick’s Day

Shelly Hathaway — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:12:32 +0000

It’s that time of the year again! March is approaching and anyone who’s an Irish dancer knows that means they’re schedule is going to be pretty full for the next few weeks. Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day really wasn’t that big of a deal. It pretty much consisted of throwing on a green shirt to avoid getting pinched all day.

Now that I’m an Irish dancer, with the exception of Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day has become the biggest holiday I celebrate! It’s not just one day anymore, although the day itself is always packed with multiple shows. The festivities will last all month long, every weekend booked with either a big or small performance. I like to call it March Madness. If every month was like March, my entire life would be Irish dance. I wouldn’t have time for anything else!

The schedule for this year includes our annual elementary school tour, a percussive dance concert with clog, tap and flamenco dance groups, a half-time show for a Real Salt Lake soccer game and many smaller shows in between. Also, for the first time ever, the Shelley Irish Dance Company is even planning to do a flash mob at a local mall on St. Patrick’s Day to promote our big show coming up at the end of April.

I can’t wait to dive into the Madness! I know it will be exhausting, but there really is nothing like being an Irish dancer on St. Patrick’s Day.

Where will you be performing during March Madness?

Visit my new website for more Irish dance photos, videos and articles: shellyhathaway.com

Sneak Peek at Pictures of New Iconic Dancer Hardshoes

Feisonista — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:17:34 +0000

Happy Mardi Gras everyone! Whether you’re celebrating with beads or pancakes, I hope you’re fully embracing fat Tuesday!

Of course, Mardi Gras means the start of lent tomorrow which means Easter is 40 days away. That also means that Worlds is only 40 days away! Get to practicing!

After the All-Irelands, I’m super excited for Worlds. One of the things I’m looking forward to is the premier of John Carey’s new hard shoes – the Iconic White and Iconic Black. I posted last week about the price release and now I have some more exciting information that I received to share – the pictures!

The Iconic White has white accents to elongate the leg and create a softer look while eliminating the hassle of white tape. It’s definitely a revolutionary approach to Hard shoes! I would say its one of the first major changes to the style from a visual standpoint. Shamrock lacing was another change, but that was more functional than aesthetic. Pretty cool approach. Can’t wait to see dancers’ reactions!

The shoes go on pre-order tonight at 5 EST, so be sure to check that out on iconicdancer.com if you’re interested!

So now that you’ve seen the new shoes, what do you think? Will you preorder them? What else are you excited for about Worlds?

Stay Fashionable, Feisers!

Irish Dance Commercials

Shelly Hathaway — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:03:57 +0000

Every once in a while you can catch someone Irish dancing in a TV commercial. Here are a few of my favorites:

View more Irish dance videos at shellyhathaway.com.