Chicago residents Alicia Sbertoli, 19, Sinead Cross, 16, Mackenzie Holland, 10, and Elizabeth Bish, 8, took top ten spots in solo dancing at the annual North American Irish Dance Championships held July 1 - 4 in Nashville, TN. All four are students of the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance.
The North American Irish Dance Championships, known as Nationals, are the first of four major competitive events leading up to the World Championships, held annually in March.
Sbertoli earned a ninth place spot at Nationals for her performance in her age group. In 2004, Sbertoli earned a gold team medal in team dancing and a fourth place in solo dancing at the Midwest Regional Irish Dancing Championships in Chicago. She then traveled to the World Championships of Irish Dance this past March in Ennis, Ireland, the highest level of competition in which an Irish dancer can compete. She is also a student teacher at Trinity's location in northwest Chicago.
Cross earned an eighth place spot at Nationals, making her the highest-placing Midwesterner in her competition category. In 2004, Cross won a gold medal for team dancing and a seventh place solo spot at the Midwest Regionals. She then competed overseas this past March at the World Championships. She is a student teacher at Trinity's location in Western Springs.
Cross is also a member of Trinity II, a Trinity program designed for students age 14 and older that wish to focus on Irish dance in the performance arena. Along with other Trinity II dancers, she represented the United States at the Mondial des Cultures festival, July 7 - 17 in Drummondville, Quebec.
Holland earned a tenth place finish at Nationals, also earning her the title of highest-placing Midwesterner in her competition group. Last November, she took a gold medal in solo dancing and a gold and bronze in team dancing at the Midwest Regionals.
Bish earned a ninth place finish at her first-ever Nationals competition. In 2004, Bish took home a silver medal in team dancing and a 13th place finish is solo dancing at the Midwest Regionals.
Other Chicago dancers who competed at Nationals were Andrew Serb, 15, Cara Horan, 8, Kelly O'Neill, 19, and Susanne Wiecek, 8.
Trinity Academy of Irish Dance has locations in Chicago's northwest side and Lake View neighborhood, and in Western Springs, Downers Grove, Arlington Heights and Evanston. Remaining enrollment periods for 2005 take place in September. For more information, call (773) 774-5961 or visit www.trinityirishdancers.com. |
