St. James Native Cara Hallahan Stepping Her Way To World Irish Step Dancing Competition

Stepping Up and Stepping Out

(click on photos to enlarge)

by Maureen Rossi

Cara Hallahan is a St. James native who will be stepping up to Canada – well she’ll actually be flying, but she will be stepping out onto the stage to compete in the World Irish Step dancing competition in Montreal, Canada this spring.

“I recently competed at the regionals and came in 14^th qualifying me for the world,” said the vibrant twenty-two year old.

A recent graduate of Geneseo, Cara is presently employed as a substitute teacher at Terryville Elementary School in Port Jefferson Station. She is very happy there saying she adores the school and kids and would love to get a permanent position at the school.   

One of three children, she is the only one interested in Irish dance.  “My sister took it for one year but it didn’t capture her interest, she’s an artist and very musical,” says Cara.  The young dancer said the entire family is enormously proud of her work.  “My mom was sobbing tears of joy in the audience when I qualified for the World Competition,” she shared. 

The dancer says being in the competition is a life-long dream come true.  Dancing from the age of six, she says it is a dream come true for the whole family.    “Everyone was thrilled to pieces, they watched me work for it, training four days a week two hours a day and then practicing on my own,” she explained.

Irish Step-Dancing has long roots. It gained enormous popularity here in the states when the Riverdance team galvanized Americans from all backgrounds. There were sold out shows around the country and the world.

Irish step-dance is a style of dance with its roots in traditional Irish dance. It can be performed solo or by troupes. Two types of shoes are worn: hard shoes, which make sounds similar to tap shoes, and soft shoes, which are similar to ballet slippers. Dancers stiffen their upper bodies while performing quick, intricate footwork. Costumes are considered important for stage presence in competitive Irish step-dance. There are several levels of competition available for both individuals and groups.

An Irish step-dancing competition is called a Feis (but pronounced FESH).  There are old tales that date  Irish step-dancing  back to Pre-christian Ireland. 

Dancers are known for their intricate hair styles; however, because of the enormous time and cost of getting a girl’s hair done in customary fashion, most purchase the traditional style wigs.  The costumes are equally festive and costly. 

Irish-step dancing began to become popular in the states as Irish immigrants arrived. It is said the first classes were taught  in Philadelphia.  

Hallahan is over the moon excited about the World Competition, but is very committed to her rigorous training until April.   “ It’s all ability, doesn’t matter where you are from, just bring your best competition,” she added.   She said there are competitors from Africa, England, Scotland, Canada and of course Ireland.   “I’m going to do my best, be my best; really I’m just so honored to be in the Worlds,” she laughed.

Hallahan says this event is like the Olympics for her. Her whole family will be attending including her boyfriend and two best friends from college.   

All of Smithtown wishes Cara good luck or as they say in Ireland, Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat!

Comments

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Re: Stepping Up and Stepping Out.
At a Feis a couple of years ago, we (my daughter, granddaughters, and I) learned some interesting things from some Irish women visiting and checking out the way things are done here. They were appalled at the garish dance costumes - way too tacky to be called dresses, they said - and the almost universal wearing of huge wigs. Such is NEVER permitted in Ireland, they pointed out.
Some dance school organizers make a lot of money having the groups order custom-made and designed "school dresses". For solo work, some of those outfits range from one to two thousand dollars, and you have never seen so many sequins, studs, rhinestones, and ruffles. Of course, the wigs are to be ordered through "the schools" and become required parts of the school uniform.   Quite the profitable line of work.
Hogan School (that our girls are part of) is run/taught by a U.S. citizen who trained in Ireland and achieved her championship status there. No tacky "school uniforms" - and never the wigs - for her! Thanks, though, for the interesting feature.
 - Genie - Crystal River, Florida