Interview With Caitlin, 2014 Oireachtas Champion

Our 2014 Western Canadian Champions
Sage, Caitlin, Macaela and Mackenzie

Nora suggested a blog feature about our four 2014 Western Canadian Champions (Sage, Caitlin, Macaela and Mackenzie), and posed the following five questions to each of them:

1. How do you achieve 1st place in the Oireachtas?

2. How did it feel to win?

3. Who celebrated your win with you?

4. Where would you like to go with your dance goals from here?

5. Everyone at NPIDA is very proud of you (instructors, staff and dancers alike). How does that make you feel?

Caitlin at the 2014 Oireachtas

 

Today we are featuring CAITLIN B-T, who won the U-12 age category at the 2014 Oireachtas. Caitlin also placed 2nd at the 2014 North American Championships, and 27th at the 2014 World Championships.

1. How do you achieve 1st place in the Oireachtas?
I try my best to work my hardest in class and at home, I try to drill my steps as much as I can and also you just have to be confident with your dancing.

2. How did it feel to win?
It always feels great to win; I was very excited because it’s great to know that hard work pays off.

3. Who celebrated your win with you?
My family, my friends and my teachers were able to spend some time together.

4. Where would you like to go with your dance goals from here?
I would like to go to Worlds and do my best, to be happy and proud of my dancing. 

5. Everyone at NPIDA is very proud of you (instructors, staff and dancers alike). How does that make you feel?

It makes me feel really good and confident; to know people are proud of me helps me try harder.

CONGRATULATIONS CAITLIN!

 

 

- Thank you to Cheryl G for her help with the photos for this series. Coming soon: interviews with Macaela and Mackenzie.

Interview With Sage, 2014 Oireachtas Champion

Our 2014 Western Canadian Champions
Sage, Caitlin, Macaela and Mackenzie

Nora suggested a blog feature about our four 2014 Western Canadian Champions (Sage, Caitlin, Macaela and Mackenzie), and posed the following five questions to each of them:

1. How do you achieve 1st place in the Oireachtas?

2. How did it feel to win?

3. Who celebrated your win with you?

4. Where would you like to go with your dance goals from here?

5. Everyone at NPIDA is very proud of you (instructors, staff and dancers alike). How does that make you feel?

 

Sage and Nora at the 2014 Oireachtas

 

Today we are featuring SAGE L, who won the U-8 age category at the 2014 Oireachtas.

 

 

1. How do you achieve 1st place in the Oireachtas?

I broke my ankle dancing in June and could only start practicing at the end of September. We didn't know if I would be ready to compete at the Oireachtas. I really wanted to compete because last year I got 3rd and it was fun.    I did physio everyday on my ankle and practiced at home. My teachers took out some steps right before that weren't clean and they really helped me get ready. At the Oireachtas I tried hard but wasn't sure if it was good enough.

 

2. How did it feel to win?
My Mom and Dad said not to be disappointed and be happy whatever I get because there were some really good dancers. I was really excited when I made the top 2 and thought 'I beat my score from last year' where I got 3rd. I thought for sure I had gotten 2nd place. When they didn't call my number for 2nd place, I couldn't believe I had won! I liked getting the sash and big trophy.

 

3. Who celebrated your win with you?

My Mom, Dad, and my sister Mckenna came to watch. My Grandpa and Grandma Perry and my cousin, Jodi also flew out to cheer for me.

4. Where would you like to go with your dance goals from here?

I would really like to recall at Nationals in Providence, Rhode Island in July. I'd also like to be an Open dancer one day but not yet.

5. Everyone at NPIDA is very proud of you (instructors, staff and dancers alike). How does that make you feel?

It made me feel really good when I heard everyone from Pickett cheering for me when I won. I got lots of congratulations and hugs after. My teachers are happy for me and I felt proud when Nora got to go onstage with me when I was on the podium. Thank you Nora, Courtney and Aisling and everyone at Pickett!

 

CONGRATULATIONS SAGE!

- Thank you to Cheryl G for her help with the photos for this series. Coming soon: interviews with Caitlin, Macaela and Mackenzie.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all NPIDA families!

Enjoy the holiday season and we will see you back at classes beginning on Monday January 5! Don't forget to mark your 2015 calendars with our 5th annual Winter Ceili on Saturday January 31 at the Fireman's Club in Burnaby - more details to follow in the new year!

Coming soon to the blog: feature profiles of our four 2014 Western Canadian champions! (Sage, Caitlin, Macaela and Mackenzie).

- Clip art from Google Images.

Eire Born at Raven Pub: December 21 *Updated

Eire Born at the Raven Pub

 

Eire Born and Santa at The Raven Pub

Thank you to Leanne for submitting these photos taken yesterday, Saturday December 21 at the Raven Pub. Special guest: Santa! Thank you to all the dancers and Gillian S on sound .

Support our All Scotland Dancers and Win a $500 Air Canada Travel Voucher!

Five dancers from NPIDA have opted to attend the All Scotland Championships which will take place February 5-8 2015 in Glasgow Scotland. Attending are Laurel S, Anna M, and sisters Macaela, Caitlin and Emma B-T. On behalf of these families, Jennifer has submitted the following fundraising information:

There are five dancers travelling to Glasgow in February to compete at the All Scots. This weekend we are kicking off our raffle for a $500 Air Canada travel voucher!!!

Tickets are available from any of the dancers and there will be tickets available in North Van and Richmond. Only 250 will be sold. 

Winner will be announced at the Winter Ceili on January 31st.
Tickets are $2 each, minimum 5 for $10.

Laurel, Anna, Emma, Caitlin and Macaela

Cheryl's DeDanaan Feis Photos: Sunday

First Feis Reel Trophy
U-7: Declan (6th), Sam (5th), Fiona (7th), Chloe (7th)
U-9: Samantha (3rd); 9+: Emily (3rd)

Beginner Reel Trophy: U-7 U-8 and U-9
U-7: Willow (1st) and Addison (4th); U-8: Naomi (2nd)
U-9: Ally (1st) and Eliana (3rd)

Beginner Reel Trophy: U-10 and U-11
U-10: Poppy (4th), Tess (2nd) and Rachel (5th)
U-11: Jemma F: 2nd

Novice/Prizewinner Treble Jig Trophy
Kairavee (4th in U-8), Claire (4th in U-10),
Gemma (1st in U-12), and Delaney (4th in U-15)

Novice/Prizewinner Treble Reel Trophy
Kairavee (4th in U-8), Claire (4th in U-10),
Gemma (3rd in U-12), Krista (4th in U-12)
Delaney (1st in 14+)

Beginner dancer Kristen at her 2nd Feis

Many thanks to Cheryl for these photos taken on Sunday November 30 at the DeDanaan Feis (First Feis to Prizewinner). You can view all of Cheryl's DeDanaan Feis Photos on her website HERE.

After the Buck Show Last Night

Jadyn, Alexis, Sage, Catharine, Diana, Catalina, Jessie,
Mikaela, Stephanie, Anna, Emma, Adreanna and Reese

Thank you to Jennifer for submitting this photo, taken at Dairy Queen last night following the show at the Buck & Ear.

Riley: Red Dress Qualifier

Riley T

Further to Tuesday's post about our three new red dress qualifiers (Addison, Naomi, and Riley), thank you to Sylvia for submitting these photos of Riley. Congratulations!

Nicole's DeDanaan Feis Photos

Katelyn, Emma and Josie

Jayne and Sarah

Olivia, Emma, Mackenzie, Camryn and Jayne

Megan, Katelyn and Josie

Jayne: 1st in the U-14 Prelim/Open
Hornpipe Trophy

Katelyn and Josie

Sisters Katelyn and Jayne

Thank you to Nicole for these photos, which were taken last Saturday at the DeDanaan Feis in Richmond.

New Red Dress Qualifiers *UPDATED*

Addison

Naomi

Nora is pleased to confirm that we have three new red dress qualifiers: Addison N, Naomi N and Riley T. Congratulations girls!

Thank you to Kelly for submitting this photo of Addison, and to Cheryl for the photo of Naomi. (Photo of Riley pending).