Beyond Irish Dance

Join us in speaking with Mary Slowey, former Irish Dancer and current Irish Dance photographer, about the grief dancers experience as they retirement from Irish Dance. The conversation navigates the complex landscape of identity loss and the mental health implications often unaddressed in such major life changes.

We also discuss ways in which dancers can capture moments of their Irish Dance journey through photography, and how visual representations of our Irish Dance journey can help us in coping with the grief of transition.

You can find Mary on Instagram @sloweyphotography, online at http://www.sloweysnaps.com/irishdance/ or through email at [email protected].

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Irish Dancers have strong opinions on their shoes. But our socks are an equally important, but under discussed, aspect of our footwear! In this episode, we talk about the history of socks in Irish Dance, how we got to the beloved Poodle Sock, and review Irish Dance specific socks.

Links to our favorite socks:

• Apolla Performace Socks: Amazing compression, support, and energy distribution! We tried the Performance Shock, the Joule, and the Infinite. Find them at www.apollaperformance.com and @apollaperformace
• Ahearne Shamrock Grips: We love the amazing support provided by the cutest shamrock grips on the bottom. They keep your feet from sliding around in your shoes; or allow you to dance shoesless without slipping. Find them at shamrockgrips.com and @ahearneshamrockgrips
• Turnout Socks: The perfect tool for providing visual cues on turnout! Comfortable, adorable, and helpful? Yes please! And they can be customized to include your school logo! Find them at www.turnoutsocks.com and @turnoursocks.

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In this episode, we chat with Meghan Lucey-Brelsford, TCRG; Owner and Director of The Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy; and Inventor of Turn Out Socks! Meghan shares behind-the-scenes logistics of life on tour, her joy in teaching, and her inspiration for Turn Out Socks!

Meghan has earned awarded numerous titles including National Champion, All-Scotland Champion, NAFC Senior Belt Champion and 6-time New England Regional Champion. She has also placed in the top 5 at every major competition within An Coimisiún, including an incredible 2nd place and silver medal at the World Championships in 2009.

Meghan toured for 9 years with Riverdance,  and has also toured with Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Fire, and Women of Ireland and performed with Busch Gardens show Celtic Fyre, among others.

You can find Meghan at The Brennan-Lucey Irish Dance Academy, and purchase her turnout socks at turnoutsocks.com.

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Over the past decade adult Irish dancers have had a growing presence, and have gained more attention and recognition. In part 2 of this two-part interview, we rejoin dancers Dominika (Domi) Cedro-Culver, Holly Olitan, and Lyla Medeiros - three adult dancers with diverse dance background and experiences - to discuss the joys and challenges of being an adult Irish Dancer. The discussion covers their mindset as adult dancers, the healing that has come from dance, and the joys of being an Irish Dancers.

Be sure to listen to Part 1 of this episode!

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Over the past decade, adult Irish dancers have had a growing presence, and have gained more attention and recognition. In part one of this two-part interview, we meet with dancers Dominika (Domi) Cedro-Culver, Holly Olitan, and Lyla Medeiros - three adult dancers with diverse dance background and experiences - to discuss the joys and challenges of being an adult Irish Dancer. The discussion covers their dance journeys, the challenges of competing as adults, and the social dynamics of being an adult in classes and feisanna.

Be sure to join us next week for part 2!

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Wish you could spend a little behind-the-scenes time with the Camp Rince Ceol instructors, directors, and camp counselors? Then you won't want to miss this episode of Beyond Irish Dance podcast, recorded after hours with the California Camp team, where we discuss favorite camp memories, dance friendships, and lessons learned.

Thanks to Sheila Ryan, Tony Davoren, Joe Harrison, Noel Spillane, Chloey Turner, Ashley Smith-Wallace, and all the CRC California Camp counselors and dancers for a memorable week.

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We just experienced North American Irish Dance Nationals for the first time! Join us for a recap of our preparation, our mindset day-of, our thoughts on the venue and the vendors, our takeaways, and our highlights.

Thanks to the NAIDC 2024 Committee; our teachers at Carroll-Henderson School of Irish Dance - Lauren Carroll-Bolger, TCRG, Anna Grussling, and Katie Resch; our mindset coach Scott Doherty; the entire team at Target Training; our supportive family; and our Irish Dance community for a great experience!

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In this collaborative episode, we partner with TCRG to CEO Radio podcast host Courtney Jay, TCRG to discusses things to look for when dancers and families are considering a transfer to a different Irish Dance school - including conversations to have prior to making a change; the importance of knowing your learning style and goals; red flags; timing "The Ban"; and navigating the transfer process. Courtney emphasizes the importance of communication and professionalism throughout the process, and offers advice on integrating into a new dance community.

Courtney Jay TCRG is the host of TCRG to CEO Radio, the podcast for Irish dance teachers, studio owners, and aspiring teachers/studio owners who want to learn teaching and business skills to succeed in their careers. She is also the owner and director of Scoil Rince Luimni based in Connecticut, USA. You can find Courtney Jay at http://www.courtneyjaytcrg.com, on Instagram @courtneyjay_tcrg.

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In this episode, we interview Camp Rince Ceol (CRC) Camp Director Sheila Ryan, TCRG on how to prepare for and make the most of the Irish Dance Camp experience. We talk about the cell-phone policy, packing list requirements, roommate assignments, and the ins and outs of camp life. A must listen for new and returning CRC campers!

You can find Camp Rince Ceol at https://irishdancecamp.com/ or on Instagram @camprinceceol.

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In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Róisín Cahalan a Physiotherapist, Associate Professor at the University of Limerick, ADCRG, former Riverdance dancer, and editor and co-author of The Complete Irish Dancer: Optimization of Health and Performance in Irish Dance. Dr. Cahalan is revolutionizing the field of Irish dance and advancing our understanding of dancer health through her extensive research and her holistic, collaborative approach to dancers' well-being.

In this episode, we discuss her research and the areas in which Irish Dance methodology can improve in order to optimize a dancers health. We also discuss the new postgraduate certificate program at the University of Limerick - The Optimization of Health for Performance in Irish Dancers, for which Dr. Cahalan is the Course Director. This online program covers a wide range of topics, including injury prevention, strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology, and more. It is open to dancers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and parents, emphasizing a collaborative approach to caring for Irish dancers.

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