Know your Competition .... Simone Loysen

Simone Loysen

Like many teenagers out there, I am on social media often. I follow lots of different dance accounts but I kept seeing pictures and videos of  this great Irish dancer named Simone. Through social media I learned she was a multiple Oireachtas champion, 5th in the Nation, 4th at the All Irelands and 4th in the Worlds! I was privileged to meet THE SIMONE LOYSEN at the NAFC Belt Championships this past year in Phoenix. Not only were all three of her rounds amazing but her attitude off the stage represented a true champion. I was not surprised she walked home with the NAFC title.

SIDE NOTE:  The NAFC is the North American Feis Commission Championships that features 3 competitions: A minor cup, a junior trophy, and a senior belt . Each group has a mix of age ranges. This competition will be held in Phoenix, Arizona again on January 16,2016. In order to compete in this event, you must be an open champion dancer who has won a competition in the year of 2015. I think there are a few feiseanna that are actually giving paper awards when you win a 1st place overall that invites you to dance at this championship. If you get the opportunity to go, it is so worth going to compete and watch.  This is the best of the best dancers all in a smaller venue. Last year, they even had a regular feis running simultaneously.

My friend Natalie Hall, Simone and I at the NAFC championships!

Winning the NAFC championships

On to Q & A with Simone:

1) School: Broesler School of Irish Dance2) Age group: U133) Region: Southern Region, USA4) Dress maker: Gavin5) How many years have you been dancing? 9 years6) Biggest Accomplishment? Probably getting 4th at All Irelands or winning the NAFC Minor Cup!7) Favorite Dance? Hornpipe 8) Favorite Feis? Hmmm... I'd say the Broesler feiseanna (maybe I'm a bit biased there) :)9) Biggest Competitor? I don't have a specific biggest competitor per say, since my competition is full of amazing dancers.

Simone and her friend Abby Bradley at the Worlds in Montreal

10) What is your biggest strength and weakness? My biggest strength is probably my toe blocks and the tricks I can do on them. My biggest weakness is probably my shoulder injury that can make it hard to breathe at the end of each dance.

11) How did you get started in Irish dancing? My half-sister, Megan saw Riverdance and decided to start Irish dancing. When I was three and a half, I watched her dance and thought it was awesome so I asked to be enrolled.

12) What do you do to prepare for Majors? I eat healthy (so no ice cream, cookies, that kind of stuff) for the few months before, go for runs, do ab work, and practice usually 6 days a week (whether at home or class)

13) Have you ever experienced a slump in results? How did you overcome it? Yes, I have had a few result slumps, sometimes because of injuries but not always. I usually just tell myself to look at Kevin (her teacher) or look at my Mom. Look at all the things they are doing for you. Make them proud.

14)  Who is your inspiration or motivation? Jason Hays is my biggest dancer inspiration. My teacher Kevin Broesler is probably my biggest motivation. He pushes me to achieve what I can and I owe so much to him. Making Kevin and my mom proud drives me to dance as well as I can.

15) What is your biggest goal for 2015? My biggest goal for 2015 is to dance the best that I can and have accident-free majors: No disqualifications, green tan disasters, or falls this year!

16) Do you do anything else outside of Irish dance? I used to do many other kinds of dance (ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and acro) but had to stop towards the end of last year because of my shoulder injury.

17) What is your favorite place you have visited for dance? I love the Citywest hotel in Dublin. I've been there twice now and it is amazing! Belfast was also fantastic for the 2013 All Irelands.

18) What were you feeling when you won the Oireachtas again? I was so, so happy! Every time you win there is more pressure for the next year. After winning three times you start to wonder, is it really possible to win again? But if you try as hard as you can and believe in yourself, you can do it!

Simone placed 4th at the Worlds 2015

21) Who makes your shoes? Why do you like them? Fays makes my hard shoes and Antonio Pacelli is my soft shoes brand.  I love my Fays because they make really good sounds and are fantastic for all the toe blocks I do. My Antonio Pacelli Elites are great because there is support in the toe.

22) Which dressmaker do you like? Wow. Almost every single dressmaker has made at least one dress that I like and one that I don't like.

23) What is your practice regime leading up to the Worlds? I have classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I also have an ab workout that I do every day.

24) What do you want to do for a career when you get older? I currently want to go to MIT and get an M.D in microbiology, then work at the National Cancer Institute in cancer immunology and vaccination.

25) What is an obstacle you have overcome in your dance career? As a dancer, I am constantly trying to get through injuries without losing stamina or technique. Luckily, I have found an amazing doctor. I have a really great and understanding teacher, and my mom is always ready to try anything that might help.

Follow Simone's blog here

Simone also added , "Worlds was such an amazing experience and it was incredible to get fourth, especially after disappointing results last year. I was on the moon!"         

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

~Walt Disney

(Simone's favorite quote)

My Very Late Oireachtas Update!

The bad news is......  I did not make it to the Parade of Champions.

The good news is.... I can continue this blog. Ha!

It has been a little over a month since my Oireachtas. That is just about how long it takes me to come down from all that energy, emotion and momentum.

At awards, I was called out in the top 10. Woo-Hoo!  I stood up there with some of my best friends that I have made over the years. You really do see the same girls over and over and I felt so good to be surrounded by such familiar and friendly faces.  I knew every single person up there. It was very emotional but I will have to say, Abigayle D. from the Claddagh school definitely had the best reaction as she was called out in the top 10. A reaction like that just makes you so happy for them. When they announced that the top 17 qualified for the Worlds, the stage blew up with emotion.

It finally came down to the top 5, then the last 3 and then only myself and Marisa W. from the Wick School stood waiting...... to NOT hear their number.

But I did.

I placed 2nd in the region out of 129. I will admit I was disappointed with 2nd place at first.  Just to be clear, it is 2nd place two years in a row. After all those hours of practice and time spent at the studio, I really wanted that first place. I wanted to make my dance teacher proud when they walked up on that stage to receive that little teacher trophy. I wanted that title. Obviously, I wanted to be in the parade of champions. I wanted to be that winner.

But don't get me wrong, I know 2nd place is a huge accomplishment, especially staying consistent through one of the toughest age groups with some of the most talented girls. 2nd place is feeling better to me now and I really am proud of myself.

Me and my dance teacher, Darren Maguire.

"I will win. Not immediately, but definitely."  

All in all, I could not have been happier with the way I danced.  I could truly see how proud my parents were of me. My dance teacher was proud of how I danced and how I trained leading up to that moment. Plus, when I danced, I had fun. You know, the kind of fun that you really feel it inside, a Disneyland kind of fun. It doesn't get better than that. 

My sister was proud, too! She always supports me,

Also, at this Oireachtas, I debuted my new dress and new look. As you may remember, my grandpa (also one of my best friends) had passed away in June from cancer. He loved all those creepy mythical creatures and we talked about the Phoenix on many occasions. So on this dress, I wanted to do something to commemorate him.  Cami Dudschus, from All for a Jig, captured my vision for the Phoenix perfectly. I feel him with me every time I dance.

 

My new Cami Dudschus dress!

I really consider myself a very blessed person. Being surrounded by amazing friends and the greatest family ever as they watch me succeed in a sport I love is something only a few people can truly say. I guess those are the real lessons in any activity or sport. I am blessed to have friends all over the world all because of Irish dance.  I hope you found some gains in your placements and I hope you found all those positive and great reasons why we REALLY continue in dance even in times of disappointment.

So watch out Worlds, there are a lot of talented Western Region dancers comin'! 

Happy Holidays dancers! Hope you had a great Oireachtas!

~Bella Irish Dancer

"Your friends should motivate and inspire you. Your circle should be well rounded and supportive. Keep it tight. Quality over Quantity, always."

Fays Celtic Choice

Review on Fayes Celtic Choice

I am pretty loyal to the brand Fays for my hard shoes over the years but never tried their soft shoe. Our local vendor (Siopa Brog) offered me a few popular soft shoe choices and the Fays Celtic choice.

I noticed instantly how they snugly fit to my arch. There were no gaps. Fays states that they are 100% leather on the sole with a Poron insole.  Poron is a cushioning material that is used in sports equipment and other sport shoes. It supposedly helps with comfort upon impact. There is definitely quite a bit of impact when Irish dancing and I could definitely tell quite a difference especially in the beginning break in phase.  My arches aren't the best in the world but these shoes make my feet look like they are.

As with most dancers, we have to check out the toe support.  It was a breeze going up on my toes.  I noticed the padding goes over the front of my toes and it gives my toes more support. That is my favorite part of this shoe.  There are no seams to pinch your toes or in the long run, seams to break down as you dance.

I have average sized woman's feet so I am always trying to find shoes that make my foot look smaller. Celtic choice makes my foot look narrow and neat. Who doesn't love that?

Another thing I noticed was that they were so much lighter than my previous shoes. Even my dad pointed that out and he hardly ever sees the difference in anything in dancing.  Haha!

Over time, I will admit they stretch out a bit,  I am a street shoe 7.5 or 8 and I got the 4.5. Make sure you get a very snug fit at the beginning or consult your teacher for advice.  This shoe has great heel grip as well.

Oireachtas Champion, Victoria Schull, wears them after they were recommended to her.

She is a street size 7 and she bought a 3.5. 

        "Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life."

Check them out at your next feis. What shoes do you love wearing? Do you stay loyal to one brand?

Comment below or on any of my social media sites. 

Click here for more information 

Fays website

Siopa Brog 

4 Tips to Prepare Mentally in Irish Dance

Hello Irish Dancers!

With Oireachtas right around the corner, I know from experience that it takes a lot more to achieve your goals than just physically preparing.

I have under 2 weeks now until the big O and I know each day I get more and more excited and nervous. I know I am not the only one either. So, here are some of the things I have been doing to train my mental side in dance.

1. Watch motivational videos.  They can be dance videos, parade of champions of year's past or a sports movies. What motivates you? Find it. Post it. I tell the little girls at my school the same thing. You have to find that one thing that motivates you more than anything else. Let it give you that feeling that you can do it. It could be an individual, a video, a song, a quote, etc. My number 1 thing is the video below. The feeling I get after watching it makes me feel, UNSTOPPABLE! I absolutely love this video. Everything is on point and it is a huge motivation to me as I prepare my mind.

Click here to watch this video!

2. Eliminate the things making you doubt yourself.  I make a list of every single one. One of my weakness in dance right now are my heels. I, at times, fall very low on my heels and the same question kept popping into my head. Why do I think I can win if I have low heels? How am I ever going to beat them with low heels? Well, the answer to that is easy and simple: Fix it. As soon as you address it, there will be no more doubt.

3. Look back. Remember where you started.  Find pictures of your first feis. Look at yourself.  Watch past videos of yourself and remember everyone starts from the bottom.  You may not be where you want to be but you are on your way. Really remember what it was like to learn a new jump or an entire new set and how you may not have gotten it right at the beginning. Remember that feeling of accomplishment. You are on your way. You will be better today than you were yesterday. Be thankful for where you are and how far you have come.

Click to watch my favorite video!

4.  Find the good side of this journey. It can be challenging at times but if you leave all the negative thoughts from yesterday in yesterday, your mind will become more positive. Forget about everything that happened in the past. If you had a bad day, move on. If you had a good day, be grateful. Give yourself pats on the back. Find the one great thing you did today at practice and feel proud. Focus on those good things.


I hope these tips help you.  I think the mental toughness from me is credited most to my mother. She made me realize that despite the hours, the days, weeks, months, years in the studio preparing for one event doesn't matter at all if you do not show up on the day mentally. She always tells me to dance like I have been there before. Dance BIG and walk like a champion even if you don't think you are.

You wouldn't be normal if you didn't have doubts or negative thoughts, at least one. You have got to let it go otherwise you will bring it up on stage with you. Doubt is the one thing you don't want to shine on stage.

Now, how far away are you from Oireachtas?

What are your goals?

Why do you think you deserve them more than anyone else?

~Bella Irish Dancer

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you are right."

~Henry Ford 

To Irish Dance Moms: The Do's and Don't of Oireachtas.

On a couple of our parent boards and social media, I saw a few first time Oireachtas moms ask for advice. Even though my point of view is a little different, I am going to throw my two cents in from a dancer's view point so that your day with your dancer can go as smooth as possible.

Please fee free to comment below with your additions and pointers.

 

 So, for those first time Oireachtas Moms, this is for you.

The Do's and Don'ts for Irish Dance Moms at Oireachtas 

1. DO: wake up early with a great attitude and then wake up your child. A lot of the days attitude is similar to the first minutes of waking up, at least, for me.  This means you really need to go to bed early. This is hard the night before a big competition but do it even if it means laying in bed listening to music.

2. DO NOT: Rush! It will only make your dancer more nervous.  Allow more time than you think to get all those items done before heading down to the hall. When you rush, you forget.  Trust me you do not want to forget ANYTHING!

3. DO: While you are doing your dancer's hair and make up, have him/her listen to a motivating song to get them pumped up for the day!  Music makes me feel good. Listening to a little Script Feat. Will I. Am's, "Hall of Fame" is a great example.

"You can be the greatest. You can be the best. You can be the King Kong banging on your chest" 

Or my dad would say anything from the movie, Rocky.  But whatever gets them in the right mood is the right choice. 

4. DO NOT: Mention anything about messing up on the hair and make up while you are assisting.  I cannot stand when my mom does this.  When she says, "OOOPS" or "Oh no",  I start thinking that everything is going down hill and it is completely unfix-able.

5: DO:   Fix the wig. If you end up with something you do not like, redo it NOW, not downstairs in the convention hall. Your dancer should not be thinking about their  hair in the hall. As a dancer, your mind is going a million miles a minute prior to check in. Let it be filled with their steps and a winner's attitude.

  A little side note: In 2012, I put my wig on poorly and I ended up redoing it in between rounds. It was a nightmare for me and my mom.  I even dropped my placement that year. I do realize that this was not because of my wig, but I am superstitious. I think it kept me from focusing on what was important.

6: DO NOT: Keep adding more makeup when you are all ready in the ballroom. Before going on stage, definitely do a few touch ups but don't do it often. (My mom needs to work on this one. HAHA!) Let your dancer drink lots of water which means don't do touch ups until right before they go on.
Fussing over make-up makes your dancer nervous.

7: DO: Make sure she is working on preparations like stretching.  Don't let her fool around with her friends before competitions. She will not be focused.  Make sure she gets time with her dance teacher without you. They will get your dancer properly warmed up and in the dance mindset.

8: DO NOT: Let your dancer just walk around the center.  If they are going to watch a friend dance, make sure that they are with their dance teacher. Don't risk missing a round. You will be disqualified. I don't think the Oireachtas judges smile too kindly on being late.  I've never done it and I wouldn't want to push this. This day is not really about socializing until you are done with your rounds.

9: DO: Give a good Mom pep-talk. I don't know how you guys do it. My mom always finds the right words to calm me down and to get me focused to win! Focus on stage presence and confidence: the practice part is behind you. Leave the last minute dance tips to their teacher and let your part be telling your daughter to walk on like a champion, even if they don't feel like one yet.

"Fake it til you make it"  

10: DO NOT: Let your dancer get cold in between rounds. Make sure they are stretching or running through their dances. A cold dance is not a good dance. Do exercises like ankle and hip rotations, as well as, calf and hamstring stretches.


BEST OF LUCK!

Oh and most importantly, go out there and have fun. Don't just go for the experience. If you put in the practice, do your very best.

You are already there, why not go for the recall?

Top 25? Top 10? Top 5? Top 3?

~Bella Irish Dancer

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you"ll land among the stars."

~Les Brown

My New Years Resolution

Looking back on 2013, I had some good and bad competitions. I found my notebook with all my goals from 2012 and 2013 and all I wanted was to be undefeated. But, I am changing that for 2014. From worlds, nationals, and a couple feises in between I danced blah and didn't shine like I did at Oireachtas.

Do you see how nervous my  face looks?

My NEW New Year's resolution is to perform to my full potential at any and all competitions!

I have figured out that if I do my best both physically and in my mind, that I can be unstoppable. I wouldn't change anything about this year. I learned that I shouldn't be intimidated by other dancers. If I am going to be the best, I have to compete with the best. Also, even though I hate admitting it, my mom was right. If you don't bring your A game and seriously focus at EVERY competition, don't expect to win. You have to shine and stand out every time.  There are so many great dancers and they want the same things as me: To WIN! You have to make the judges remember you!

2014 is going to be my best year yet!

What is your New Year's resolution?

~Bella Irish Dancer

"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts"

~Winston Churchill

Flashback of 2013

2013 was a year filled with victory,triumph, emotion, and a lot of trophies. It didn't seem that way at first but I can see it now... but only after I have it written on paper. I encourage you to do the same. I definitely had some setbacks and you know what?  It still was a pretty good dance year.

January- I went to my first 2013 feis and came in third.  It knocked down my confidence  a little as it was the only feis I could attend before Worlds.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE,PRACTICE...

April- I danced okay at worlds but not good enough for a recall. I completed my steps and felt good but  I didn't shine like you should on that kind of stage.

May- I won a feis with a perfect score of 300 and a judge recognized my potential to win a major title one day. This boosted my confidence for NAIDC.  I love when judges give AWESOME comments!

PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE!!!

July- I defeated myself when I saw I was dancing with the girl who got 3rd at Worlds. I psyched myself out and I knew I could never compete against such a great dancer.  Why did I say that to myself?  Why did I even bother to dance that day?  I was defeated before I even competed.

August- I got second at a feis. I danced small and didn't blow the judges away.

September- I got second at a feis again! I wasn't focused as I was too busy talking to my friends instead of getting in the zone.  I realize I need to get my mind straight before I dance.

October- I was very very focused at this feis but was not confident in my set dance.  I got my third consecutive second.

November- Oireachtas time.  I felt pretty good as I was practicing and training the way I should.  I was extremely focused and blew all my rounds out of the park. Despite knocking off my number holder in the third round, I moved up 5 places from the year before to second place.  It was my first great major in a while! Now, I am confident for Worlds 2014! I hope I can keep this mindset up.

I was on the podium with 2 of my good friends!

I am CONFIDENT that 2014 will be the best year yet!

Write down how your year went.  Maybe it was better than you thought.  Maybe it wasn't?  What could you do next year to achieve your dance goals?

~Bella Irish Dancer

"Never regret. If it's good, its wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience" 

~Victoria Holt

An Irish Dancer's Thanksgiving!

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow and the end of 2013 is around the corner, I would like to look back on this year and tell you WHO in my life I am so thankful for. 

I am grateful to my mom for taking me to Maguire Academy of Irish Dance when I was a little burned out with ballet.

I am grateful for my teachers. I would not be anywhere in dance without my Irish dance coaches, Darren Maguire, Maeve Croke, and Helen Buck. They have taught me Irish dancing in the best way possible. They have pushed me and encouraged me when I felt like I could not do more.  There are no words that could really describe exactly how grateful I am to have them. They believe in me when I have my doubts during practice and guide me to my goals even if it seems a little high and out of reach. They have given me this passion I have for dance and I get to take that with me throughout my life.  That is a gift that keeps giving. 

 I am grateful (at least, today) for the millions and millions of drills we do at practice! I know it has made a difference. (If they read this, we will probably be doing more drills).  The details are very important in placing.

I am grateful for my faith in my teachers. I know that no matter how long it takes, Mr. Maguire, Ms. Croke, and Ms. Buck will get me to the parade of champions on the WORLD stage!

The best teachers in the world!
2nd place Oireachtas 2013

I am so thankful to my Mom and Dad. Without my parent's support,  I wouldn't even dream as big as I do without them making me think it is possible.  London for the World Championships is a great example.  Without their encouragement, I wouldn't be at the dance level I am and I wouldn't have this blog.

I am, especially, grateful to my little sister, Riley. In 2011, when I won 5th place at the Oireachtas, she was one of the first people I saw on stage.  She had made her way to the front row and was balling her eyes out.  She may have been more excited than I was.  I am so grateful that she supports me and pushes me to be competitive.  And I know I owe her many thanks for sitting countless hours at local feisanna.

A big thanks to all my grandparents and my uncles and aunts. They always support me and motivate me to be the best that I can be.

I am so thankful for my dance school.  I am not just talking about my friends in dance class.  I am talking about all the beginner mom's who stop to ask about my dancing and text me congratulations. I am so grateful for the older dancers I watched that made me think I can do better and be better. That means so much. I am so grateful for all the families that make up our GREAT school at the Maguire Academy!

Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, Arizona,-Texas 

Last but not least, I am grateful for all my followers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and on my blog. You guys truly motivate me and help me improve my writing for school. Plus, I love expressing my feelings to people who feel the same way I do. I love hearing all the feedback from you and seeing what you think.

What are you grateful for?

Happy Thanksgiving,  Irish dancers!

"Today I choose to live with gratitude for the love that fills my heart, the peace that rests within my spirits, and the voice of hope that says... all things are possible"

~Unknown

5 Things I love about Irish dance

Things I love in Irish Dance:

1. I love the competition.
I love to go to competitions and really show what I can do. I love when you have practiced a step a hundred times and nail it on stage.  Of course, I love the win and all that swag that comes with it.

Credit to who ever made this. I found it off Tumblr

2. I love the hard work of practice.
  
I love when you are so absorbed in practice it flies by.  I enjoy coming home soaked from the sweat. I love the moment when  you finally get that step or jump at class that seemed like it was impossible a hundred times before and then you suddenly get it.  I think one of the things I love the most is that if you work hard, nothing is impossible! My dance friend, Victoria Schull, went from not recalling her first year at Oireachtas to placing third the next year. That says a lot about what you can get done in dance.  I remember asking her how she did that and she said "I used that drive to practice. I practiced jumps in my hallway and really broke everything down." I love knowing that if you work hard, you can be unstoppable.

3.  I love the friendships in Irish dance:
I love the core of friends I have made at my own dance school. It is a place where I can escape from school and be with people that have the same passion as I do.
I love the new friends I have made at the different feisanna. I look forward to seeing them at competitions.  They are not just my competition but a friendly face.
I love the friends I have made through social media sites.  I met a dancer on Instagram from Australia and I know a few people in England and Ireland! Plus, having friends and seeing those familiar faces every where you dance just makes you less nervous at every single competition.


4. I love the performance of Irish dance. 
I love being on stage.  I like the showmanship of Irish dance. I love the dresses, the accessories and occasionally the wigs.  I know I may be the only one. I love the sparkle and the bling.  I love the whole package of a competition day.

5. I love the traveling:
I don't just love going to new places,  I love the preparation of travel almost as much as the going.  I love to pack. I love the journey meaning I love the airplane or car rides so that I can have time to just think about my dances.  It is a good time to visualize about how I am going to perform.
I do love the new places, too.  My favorite cities I have been to for dance are Dublin, Chicago, or Boston. Irish dance has brought me and my family to many beautiful places.

What are your favorite things about Irish dancing? 

Comment below.  

~Bella Irish Dancer

"To succeed you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality"

~Anita Roddick 

   

Know your Competition

       WORLD CHAMPION LAYLA HEALY!

Full Name: Layla Healy
Age group: U18
Region: Leinster
Dance School: Fegan School of Irish Dancing
Set dance: Planxty Davis
Hard shoe maker: Boyne walk (storm )
Soft shoe Maker: Hullachan
Dress maker: Celtic star (Conor o Sullivan )
How long have you been dancing? I've been dancing since the age of 5, so 13 years.
Why do you like Irish dancing? I love Irish dancing because of the rhythm and the fitness side of it. I just love performing on stage at competitions and the friendships that comes with it from people all around the world!
What got you started in Irish dancing? My dancing teacher started teaching in my primary school I went to and my sister use to dance with her too.When I saw my sister dancing, I wanted to do it straight away!
What is your favorite dance and why? I love the slip jig. I just love it's gracefulness and how you just glide and move across the floor.


What do you do leading up to a major? Every morning I get up before school to do some fitness work and go through my steps. Coming up to majors I will be dancing every day for up to 4 hours.

Were you a top placer from the beginning? No I wasn't a top placer but I would place high at local feiseanna. At my first worlds, I didn't recall. The next year I recalled but didn't medal. The following year I got my first medal and haven't gone down a place since, I gradually worked my way to the top!

How do you balance nerves at big competitions? I get really nervous, but I listen to dancing music to keep me calm and I just focus myself.

What is your routine in the morning of a major? I get up about 3 hours before I'm due to dance. I get a good breakfast and then gradually start to get my wig and make up on. I would then go down to the venue for just over an hour before hand to go through my dances with my teachers.

What does it take to win the worlds in your opinion? I think it takes a lot of determination and commitment. If you want something big enough and focus yourself, it will be yours one day! You've just got to be positive and put your mind to it.

What advice would you give to dancers who want to qualify for the World Championships? For dancers who want to qualify I would say work hard and make goals for yourself.  Also, if competitions don't go your way don't feel down, we all have our slumps it's all part of getting better! Work your hardest and give 100% and ENJOY.

Can you describe the feeling of winning the Worlds? There is no one word to describe it. It's just incredible and emotional all together! Most amazing feeling EVER!
Do you feel pressure to stay at the top now that you have won? Yes. I'm feeling the pressure to stay on top. Irish nationals was my first major since the worlds and I felt enormous pressure on me after winning Worlds 2 months prior but you've just got to keep doing what you were doing and work even harder.

How do you motivate yourself? I motivate myself by listening to dancing music or by looking through old pictures at competitions of myself that brings back happy memories and the want to be there again and to stay on top.

What are some of your strengths/ weaknesses in dancing? My strengths would be my rhythm and dedication to dancing! I've sacrificed a lot of things in my life to dance and I wouldn't change that for the world! Those sacrifices have paid off for me.  My weakness would be that I'm a perfectionist.  Everything must be perfect and I won't stop until it is! I could be going for hours working on one thing that's not quite perfect, but I would keep it going until I'm happy with it.

Biggest Accomplishments? Winning the worlds!

Do you do any other sports that help you with dancing such as track or ballet? No, I don't do any other sports, simply because I don't have the time.

Do you want to make a career in Irish dancing? If so what do you want to do? Yes, I'm in my last year of school. I'm not sure what I want to do, but when I leave but I'm hoping to get picked up by a show and then further on do my TCRG exams then my ADCRG.

Who are your inspirations? Why? My inspirations would be other world champions and my dancing teachers.The fact my teachers put an enormous amount of work into me and that they believe in me is just incredible.

Do you have any favorite dancers? Why? Yes, I do.  my favorite dancers would be Suzanne Coyle and Nadine Martin! They are just such strong dancers and make dancing look so easy and graceful.

Is there anything you would still like to achieve in dancing? I would like to achieve more World titles! And also win every major there is !

What is your favorite memory in Irish dancing? My favorite memory by far was winning the worlds! The atmosphere was incredible and the emotion was unforgettable! I'M STILL SMILING!!

What is your favorite place you have traveled for Irish Dancing? Why? My favorite place I've traveled would be to Anaheim,CA for the North American Nationals in July of this year (2013). It was just an amazing place to be and the weather was PERFECT!

Thanks for inspiring all of us!  You are an inspiration to all future World winners. 

"I CAN I AM I WILL"

(Layla's favorite quote)

What Gets You Further in Irish Dance? Hard Work or Talent.

My emotions are all over the place lately.

 I'm learning this new set for my upcoming Oireachtas. A few nights ago was probably one of my worst dance classes....EVER! I got so frustrated and hated the set, all I wanted to do was scream! To top that off, some of the other girls in my class pick up the steps SO easily. They just get up there and do it.  WHAT??????

It is so frustrating to absolutely struggle with certain steps and then turn around see other dancers just do it after seeing it a few times.  I don't get it.

I know there are many girls that are more talented than me and pick up steps faster than me but I know without a doubt I work insanely hard! I love Irish dancing and I strive to improve.
This is what makes me so mad even though I know my hard work is what make me so successful (eventually).

But why?

How come I have to work so hard in class while others just pick it up naturally and get to fool around and talk during class?

As my mom and I were discussing this question, she asked me which one wins the title?

I think in the beginner-intermediate levels the girls that are talented come out of those levels faster if they have a little in-born talent.  Maybe hard work is learned and younger dancers don't need to work as hard? I don't know  but I definitely remember struggling to learn steps and moved up fairly quickly to Open champion. So, I guess I am clueless.

What gets you farther in Irish dance?  Hard work or Talent.   

After this conversation, I remembered a quote said by Tim Notke, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." I totally agree with this statement 100% but it is so hard to watch "the talent" not work hard and sweat like I am and turn around and perfect a step I'm struggling with.

I guess I need to remind myself that my hard work will pay off.  My dance friend, Madison said, "Just focus on yourself and when the time comes for competition the winner will be the one who has perfected every little thing at the classes because according to JIG THE MOVIE, you have to be foot perfect."

After practice tonight, I noticed I am getting better and that my attitude for this set isn't so negative. I did come home this week happy that I get to do this set.  I am happy I am able to get some of it right. And then on the other hand, I am crying out of frustration.  Ugh! I guess I am really just lucky I get to do something I am so passionate about. I need to remind myself of this.

What do you think?  What gets your further in Irish dance?  Talent or Hard Work.   

Have a great week!

~Bella

"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it"

   ~Estee Lauder

Holstee Manifesto

Believe in Yourself Friday! 

My mom gave this poster to one of my friends who graduated from high school recently.
 I think it is a great way to live. 

Does this have anything to do with Irish dance? 

Maybe. Maybe not. Let's analyze. 

This is my life and I am dancing Irish because I love it and I do it as often as I can.

There is a lot I don't like with my technique but I am trying at every practice to fix it.

I don't have a real job yet but when I do, I am going to love it or learn from it, if I can't quit.

I never have enough time and I hardly watch TV now that school is in session. Good advice.

I never have enough time and that includes time to look for boys.

He must be an Irish dancer because that is what I love and that is where I spend my time.

I can't believe people don't do what they love.  This makes me sad.

I will try not to over analyze and pick apart all the things I did wrong. I did it. Let's move on.

I totally enjoy every bite including the 4th meal I eat after practice. I love food.

I try to always be open to new people.  This sport has given me friends and teachers from all over the world. I am grateful for my open mind and heart.

Irish dance has taught me that we are all very similar in steps but very different in style.

Irish dance has allowed me to travel.  Best gift.

I am often lost when I don't do well but I always find my way back to the studio.

I am practicing for the day those opportunities come.  I will seize them like crazy.

Irish dance is about the people who you practice and train with and how you support each other to bring those steps alive.

Irish dance is my passion. I live it wherever I go.

I hope to get to do it for a living someday.

And I can't help but to share my passion.

******

P.S.  I can turn anything into an Irish dance motivation for me.

The Coaches Eye App

It's Oireachtas season!!!!!

(Did that make your heart start beating?)

What are you doing to prepare?

My dance teacher recommended we start video taping our dances to see what we can improve. I've been doing this since my mom told me a couple years ago that my arm was popping out during one of my dances and I did not believe her until I saw it. Video taping works.  You can only get better if you work on your weaknesses.

I bought the app called Coach's Eye on the recommendation of another dancer (Thanks, Lexi P.) at my school. It allows you to video tape and then slow down the subject. It was originally used for football players and golfers but works perfect for Irish dance.

It allows you to draw on the screen to point out what you did wrong. For instance, your foot was turned in before a jump. You are able to circle it and save it for next time. It brings out the flaws in your dancing that aren't so obvious because it is in slow motion. This slow motion allows you to see the precise time your step is incorrect. 

Plus, I love the fact that you can compare it with a different video, too. I took a video of my jumps recently and then I will compare in a month.   You can even do this to improve one specific jump or step to track your improvement.  It is kind of like a before and after effect. It compares them in a side by side screen view.  

Google Play store 

Apple store link

If you were looking for ways to improve your dancing, I definitely encourage you to buy this app. It is $5 on Google Play and most likely the same on iTunes but so far, it is totally worth it.

Below is an example of the app and it is clickable to the app website.  

                                                            

   I would love to hear what you think! Comment below!

"There is no glory in practice, but without practice, 

there is no glory"

~Unknown