Dozens of young dance students got the chance of a lifetime when they were given a masterclass in Irish dancing from some of the actual Riverdance stars.
The class took place in Kennewick, Washington earlier this week, and more than 50 youngsters were given a step by step guide to some of the Riverdance routines.
The students were all members of local dance groups, and their skills ranged from ballet to tap, ballroom to jazz, and everything in between.
Perhaps now some will be inspired to pursue a career in Irish dance, and may even one day follow in the footsteps of their tutors and grace the Riverdance stage.
Sarah Woods was one of the Riverdance stars who was teaching the children. She told NBC: “All of us love dancing, it’s our passion and we like to teach to the next generation or people who have been doing different styles of dance.
“It’s great to show our culture as well. This is Irish dancing and Ireland is where I come from so it’s great to be able to show people that have never done it before.”
NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |
Riverdance will spend the first half of 2016 touring across America and creator Michael Flatley has said that it will be his final tour before he hangs up his dancing shoes.
The rise of Irish dancing has been incredible since Flatley and his team delighted the world with their interval performance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.
Since then, Riverdance has toured all over the world and sold out the biggest arenas.
It has inspired youngsters to take up the traditional Irish pastime, and also been the source of dozens of fantastic videos created by talented and imaginative performers.
Take a look at the links below for more news and videos on Irish dancing.
irish-dancing.php
Thrilled students given masterclass by Riverdance stars