Thursday, April 07, 2005
APRIL SOUND UPBEAT
By JJB

An absolutely dazzling dance troupe came to April Sound to present the July program for the April Sound Ladies Association. The McTeggart Irish Dancers visited us with 15 dancers ranging in ages from 6 - 18, and all of them were highly professional.

Move over River Dance, because all of these kids have outstanding talent and are proving it with a number of awards. They wear brilliantly colored costumes in rich jewel tones trimmed with sequins and glitter. Their choreographer said the costumes cost up to $1400 apiece. For the ASLA program the dancers made two costume changes.

Even the shoes are specially designed, with wooden heels and taps that fit over ballet slippers. To make the costuming even more colorful, all of the girls wore wigs with long curls.

Irish dancing is unique because the dancers keep their body from the waist up completely rigid and their arms are held stiffly at their sides. All of the action is in the legs, and the McTeggart dancers astounded us with their fast foot work and high kicks.

These pretty dancers attend competitions known as a Feis about once a month, traveling to New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. In all the troupe has 40 families, and when a dancer is away from Texas she often checks to see if there is a competition in another state she can participate in. Contests are broken down into age groups and experience level.

Last year four of the McTeggart dancers qualified to go to world competition in Scotland. This year the competition will be returning to Killarney, Ireland, and some of the McTeggart dancers are sure to be there.

Maureen Hall directs the troupe, which practices at a dance studio on Rayford/Sawdust Road in South Montgomery County. For information, call Jennifer at 281-252-8393.