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Musicians at Belfast 2008
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Dean Crouch
London |
Having started dancing at the age of 7, Dean had won through the grades and in the year was winning major championships. The next three years Dean won every title possible on numerous occasions. There was no title left to win! At the age of 12 Dean was Great Britain Champion,
Having a love for Irish music he went on to play the piano accordion, piano and keyboards. By the time Dean had his 16th birthday, he had won the World Irish Piano Accordion Championships and the All Ireland Fleadh. At 16 Dean was the World and All Ireland Champion in Irish Dancing and also All Ireland champion in music. |
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Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain
Limerick
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Orfhlaith is a registered Irish Dance teacher T.C.R.G. and adjudicator A.D.C..R.G. with An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha. She has travelled extensively to workshops and Step Dance Competitions throughout Europe and North America as a tutor from the renowned Scoil Rince Ui Ruairc and dance accompanist. In 1998 she completed a Masters in Ethnochoreology at the Irish World Music Centre, University of Limerick.
Orfhlaith is currently lecturing and tutoring on the B.A. in Irish Dance at the University of Limerick and also worked as assistant lecturer in Dance in the Physical Education Department, Mary Immaculate
A Ph.D. student at the Irish World Academy of Music and dance, her research interests include, Irish Dance among the Diaspora and examining creative processes in the context of Competitive Irish Solo Step Dance |
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Liam Bradley
Tobermore, Co Derry
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Liam has been providing music for feiseanna for 25 years. In that time he has regularly provided accompaniment for major Irish Dancing events, including the All Ireland, US and Australian National Championships and the World Championships.
His 'Bradley Brothers' recordings and the latest album, 'Irish Dancer', recorded with Damian McKee, have been used widely for shows and performances, from the Royal Albert Hall and Áras an Uachtaráin, to the White House. In 2002, Liam co-founded the acclaimed Irish trad group 'Beoga' and he now tours full-time with the band. |
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Damian McKee
Dunloy, Antrim |
Damian from Dunloy, Co. Antrim is a top exponent on the button accordion. In the 90's he toured with Comhaltas in Ireland, Britain and America and over the last few years he has continued to travel worldwide as his music has become popular within Irish Dancing circles.
He has been playing feiseanna for 10 years and has played at most of the major Qualifiers including All-Ireland, World and North American Dancing Championships. He also plays with the new and exciting band called Beoga who have been quoted to be "One of Ireland's hottest musical experiences".
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Gerry Conlon
Glasgow
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Gerry has been playing accordion and piano for Irish Dancing for over 20 years and in that time has played feiseanna throughout the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand as well as numerous dancing based folk festivals throughout Europe. In addition to Irish Dance music, Gerry has won 4 All Ireland traditional music titles and 14 Great Britain titles on both Accordion and Piano and is a founder member of St Roch's ceilidh band who currently play throughout the UK and Ireland.
Gerry wishes the very best of luck to all participants in this year's event and to the organisers for a successful Championships. |
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Seamus O'Sullivan
Glasgow |
Seamus has been playing the accordion & piano for Irish Dancing for almost 30 years. During this time he has played all over the UK, Europe, USA & Australia.
He has also performed at many music festivals from Shetland to mainland Europe over the years. He is looking forward to this year’s World Championships and wishes all dancers every success. |
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Francis Ward
Glenarm, Antrim
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Francis first started Irish dancing at eight years of age in his home place in the Glens of Antrim. At the age of eleven he started playing tin whistle, and at thirteen, traditional Irish piano. Piano has become his principal instrumental study since then. In 2007 Francis graduated with a BA in Irish Music and Dance (First Class Honours), from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, where he is currently completing an MA in Ethnomusciology under the supervision of Professor Micheál Ó'Súilleabháin.
When not studying for performance and academic exams, Francis finds time for gigging, recording and teaching internationally. He has played at numerous Irish dance competitions around the world, including the All Ireland and World Championships, the Australian and New Zealand National Championships, and the European Championships. Francis is also a qualified dancing teacher (TCRG), registered with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha and has performed with Ragús - The Show and taught workshops in Ireland and in such far flung places as France, Denmark, Finland and Australia. |
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Sean Og Graham
Portglenone,Antrim |
Seán Óg Graham is one of Ireland's most dynamic young button accordion players. He has achieved numerous All-Ireland titles and is also a gifted, self-taught guitarist.
He has several television appearances to his credit, and has appeared as guest soloist with the Irish Harp Orchestra, the Canadian Youth Orchestra and Alan Kelly's 'Celtic Legends' show. He has recorded with various Irish musicians and recently he has been accompanying Solas members Winifred Horan and Mick McAuley at their 'Serenade' concerts in Ireland and Europe.
He is also a talented composer and a wide range of influences is evident in his music writing. Seán Óg is a graduate of the Limerick based Irish World Academy of Music. |
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