Next time you’re getting dressed, spare a thought for Niamh Leighton – the champion Irish dancer has to grapple with fake tan, wigs and sock glue every time she prepares for a show.
But 18-year-old Niamh, a member of the Lochee School of Irish Dancing, takes it all in her stride – after all, she has been dancing since she was three and, as three times world championship medallist, twice overseas champion and Scottish champion, nothing fazes her.
We’ve probably all been guilty of watching mesmerising performances by Riverdance and thinking there’s not that much to it apart from fancy footwork. But Niamh explains: “People who don’t know anything about Irish dancing tend to underestimate how physically demanding a sport it is,” observes Niamh, who trains intensively for three days a week in the studio.
“They see dancers using their feet to dance, the fake-tanned legs, made-up faces, wigs, sock glue (pints are lost if socks fall down), and sparkling dresses and think that’s all there is to it,” she continues.
“It’s physically and mentally intensive as we work on our cores, strength, flexibility, fitness and stamina. It’s impossible to get to the top without working incredibly hard.”
Growing up as an Irish dancer meant Niamh had to sacrifice much of her social life, always placing Irish dance before anything else. “This is my life and without this commitment, I wouldn’t be at the level I am now,” she says philosophically.
The main challenge she’s currently facing is trying to fit all her school work in while preparing for national exams. She has already secured an unconditional acceptance at Abertay University to study sport and management in September but aiming for first class results in both school and dance exams is taking its toll.
“I need to pass all 10 grades if I want to achieve my dream of becoming a dancing teacher,” she explains. “These are very hard and intense and I need to perform solo, in a team and speak in Irish to the adjudicator.”
But if she ever needs a little bit of added motivation she recalls the words Irish dance icon Michael Flatley said to her at the world championships.
“He said: ‘I see all your hard work and dedication that has gone into this, those endless hours and sacrifice. Always remember that no matter what, you are already a champion to get this far,’ and that has stuck with me ever since,” she smiles.
“He is a true inspiration to every Irish dancer and to meet him that day was simply unbelievable.”
Niamh competes in dance competitions around once a month, many on the West Coast, London and Ireland.
“Every year during Holy Week I compete in the An Comhdhail Irish Dancing World Championships in Ireland,” she says. This is a fantastic opportunity and experience for any dancer but it takes a lot of time, determination and effort to get your body mentally and physically prepared to be at the standard to have the chance of winning anything,” she adds.
Niamh has always been able to pick up steps quite easily and explains that once you have the basic movements, you can start learning different dance steps.
“As I compete at such a high standard, I always need to keep on top of any new and current moves that come out which can sometimes be quite challenging and means a lot of practising!” she smiles. “The slip jig is a ladies’ dance and therefore very elegant with jumps and flawless movements. Compare this to a straightforward jig which is full of stamps and rhythm to each beat to show off your rhythm skills,” she continues.
“Personally, my favourite soft shoe dance is a reel because it’s fast and full of big kicks and jumps, while the traditional set dance, the Blackbird, is my favourite hard shoe dance.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxBmky6pf1o
There’s no denying that Irish dancing is a wonderful spectacle, not least because of the stunning costumes. Niamh has three class dresses (usually a Celtic design in green and black) and five different solo dresses, including a gorgeous pink and black number covered in diamante.
“I can’t imagine the day where I put on my dance shoes for the last time and I simply would not be the person I am today without this sport in my life.”
http://www.findglocal.com/GB/Dundee/108457042590813/Lochee-School-of-Irish-Dancing/videos
You can find the Lochee School of Irish Dancing on Facebook.
