CelticFest Performer Bios

Deirdre Penk-O'Donnell teaches Irish Dancing in both Vancouver, BC, and Fort McMurray, Alberta. Deirdre began dancing at age four, and she developed to the point where she finished an impressive seven times in the top ten at the World Irish Dance Championships. She is a North American National Champion, placed second in the Great Britain and British National Championships, and won the overseas trophy three times at the World Irish Dance Championships, where she wrapped up her competitive career with a fifth-place finish in 1989. More important than medals and trophies to Deirdre, however, is a real passion for Irish dancing. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she imparts it to all her students. That passion, plus intensive training, has helped her dance pupils achieve competitive success at the national and international levels.

Patrick O'Donnell started Irish dancing at the age of 11 under the watchful eye of expert Christine Angliss from Coventry, England. Patrick has won the All England five times, the All Ireland three times and came second in the World Championships twice. Now this didn't just happen out of nowhere, Patrick decided to dedicate himself to something that he was passionate about. Patrick emigrated to Canada in 1982, but returned to England in 1987 to dance again, coming second in the world championships for a second time. In his 29th year (now well passed it, by many accounts) he returned again for one last kick at the cat, so to speak and in 1988 Patrick O'Donnell, won the senior men’s World championships in Galway Ireland.

www.penkodonnell.com

What's a Celtic party without traditional and modern Irish dance?

Sionnaine Irish dancers have been a part of the proud tradition of Irish dance for the past six years. They range from ages three to adult, male and female, beginner to advanced and recreational to competitive. The dancers train weekly in both traditional and modern Irish step dancing including hard shoe and soft shoe, as well as Ceili (group) dancing and choreographies. The majority of SIDA dancers attend five to ten competitions and/or championships per year. The top dancers travel to compete in the Western Canadian Oireachtas (World Qualifying Rounds) every year. Some of these dancers qualified to compete in the North American Irish Dance Championships in Toronto 2001, Boston 2002, Nashville 2003 and Philadelphia 2004.

Dance Instructor, Michelle Kilby began Irish dancing at the age of four with the Violet Moore School of Irish Dance. She has been competing at the highest level of dance since the age of eleven and qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships every year since then placing between first and fourth.

www.sionnaine-academy.com