Talented young dancers from Donegal bopped their way to the top at the All-Ireland Hip-Hop finals in Dublin last weekend.
Students of the Triumph Performing Arts group in Letterkenny took home multiple titles from the Irish Hip-Hop Idol dance contest on Saturday last.
Children from Letterkenny, Milford and Carrigart made up the four dance teams who won first place, one second and one third place prizes. Solo dancers also placed 1st and 3rd. For many, this was the first time the young performers had danced competitively and their teachers Niamh Emmett Andrea Emmett and Leanne Shiels are all so proud of their achievements.
Andrea Emmett, founder of Triumph Performing Arts, said the successful showcase was the result of much hard-work in recent months: “We’ve been training since October twice a week. They’ve loved every minute and grown in confidence since the beginning.
“For a lot of these performers it was their first time dancing at a national event and they were very nervous to dance in front of hundreds of people.
“We explored various styles of hip hop and had great fun preparing for this event ‘Spectrum Hip Hop Idol’. It showcases the fabulous talent in hip hop dance in this country and it was such an experience watching other crews perform who are known on an international level, never mind competing against them,” Andrea said.
The 8 and Under crew Troublemakers learned some new school, old school and break dancing to wow the judges. They placed a well earned 2nd in a tough competition with crews from all over Ireland.
Troublemakers: Kyah Hanlon, Doris Maria Gallagher, Aoibhe Mc Fadden, lily grace Doherty, Anna Muldoon, Caitlin Mc Brearty.
The energetic and enthusiastic 12 and under crew Rampage crew placed 1st.
Rampage Crew: Aleisha Montgomery, Lucy Muldoon, Emily Crossan, Sarah Coyle, Natalia Evans,Cassie Campbell
The 14 and under crew EXCLUSIVE placed 1st too and enjoyed every moment.
Their sharp and clean movements were a hit with the crowd!
Exclusive with Andrea Emmett: Maria Soffe, Anna Lee Timony , Caoilfhionn Lafferty, Chloe Mc Groarty, Chloe Murray
The over 16 adult crew competed in the higher section, which was a tough competition, but with sheer determination and high energy they placed third.
REJUVEN8 crew: Cathy Carr, Jenna Mc Groarty, Emma Mc Gettigan, Kayleigh Gallagher Kenny, Amy Leigh Murray, Erika Higgins, Neisha Lunn, Maria Afxientou.
Soloists Kayleigh Gallagher placed first, Caitlin Mc Brearty 1st and Kyah Hanlon 3rd.
Kyah, Caitlin and Lily Grace Doherty placed 2nd in the trios section. Kyah and Caitlin also placed first in the doubles section.
Kayleigh Gallagher 1st under16 category.
Caitlin Mc Brearty 1st and Kyah Hanlon 3rd who placed in solos under 6 category.
Kyah Hanlon and Caitlin Mc Brearty 1st In doubles section.
Caitlin Mc Brearty,Kyah Hanlon and lily grace Doherty 2nd in trios category.
“I want to thank all the parents, family and friends for their encouragement and support throughout the last few months.
“Thanks to LK Hair Design for sponsoring the senior girls’ hair. Thanks to Aura Letterkenny for their studio space and to Spectrum Dance Events for organising the competition!
“The success of this competition allows for our performers to grow and motivated them to improve. However the real achievement was representing their county and having great fun too.”
The dancers train every Saturday at Triumph Performing Arts in the Aura Studio Letterkenny. Professional dancers are invited to the studio to give masterclasses every 6 weeks, which are open to the public.
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