By
Maggie Burnett
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Local Irish dance scene explodes as a result of Broadway hit
Since first opening six years ago in Dublin, Ireland, the dance phenomenon Riverdance has stormed the world - and rejuvenated a local desire for Irish dance.
"We have waiting lists for kids to start (taking classes) since Riverdance and Lord of the Dance (opened)," said Mary Cocoran, assistant Irish dance instructor. "We're running out of teachers, space and time - it's grown that much."
Cocoran helps instruct Irish dancing classes for all ages at Dance Moves studio, 2514 E. Sixth St.
Although it may not seem like an often sought after form of dance, Cocoran said the Irish dance scene has exploded with the openings of both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. However, along with this sudden growth has come some unexpected drawbacks.
"The exposure is amazing. They've really paved the way for it," said Cocoran, a family studies and communication senior, about Riverdance and the growth of Irish dancing. "Still, it's lost its Irish dancing name. Now it's, 'Oh, you do that Riverdance thing or Lord of the Dance thing.'"
Like many of the children in her classes, Cocoran began Irish dancing at a young age, eventually moving to a competitive level of dance.
"I was dancing when Irish dancing wasn't popular. There wasn't Riverdance, there wasn't Lord of the Dance - there wasn't as much competition," she said. "I stopped competing because it just wasn't fun anymore."
Participating in Irish dance on a competitive level requires a deep dedication and hours of practice in order to stay at the top of the field.
"I've seen an adult dancer who started as an adult and now she has her own dance school," said Tricia Cunningham, an Irish dancer and Spanish junior. "It can be done, but it requires a lot of hard work and determination. You really have to have the will."
Michael Patrick Gallagher, principal male dancer of Riverdance, had just such will when he began dancing at the age of six. He said he used to practice his Irish dancing two hours a day at his home in Ireland on top of the two to three hour dance sessions he attended up to three times a week. But his dedication didn't stop after childhood.
"The fact that you're in the theater from six to 11 each night means you don't have to 'practice' as much," Gallagher said. "Sometimes I run through things right before the show."
Now that Irish dancing has returned, Cocoran said she is considering rejoining the competition, even though she has not competed since she was 16 years old.
"Things have changed for competition. The girls and women are standing on their toes and kicking their feet up to their heads," Cocoran said. "If I'm planning on competing, I just have to buckle down and work hard. Times have changed."
