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08/18/2019 12:00 AM

Westbrook Dance Academy Irish Step Students Place at Nationals


Briella Dean of East Haddam and Olivia Hartmann from Clinton earned National Champion status with their performances at the Rince Tuatha Nua National Championships in Mystic. Dean and Hartmann were both representing the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance class at Westbrook Dance Academy when they competed at the event. Photo courtesy of Westbrook Dance Academy

On July 28, Olivia Hartmann of Clinton and Briella Dean of East Haddam, who are both members of the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance class at Westbrook Dance Academy, competed at the Rince Tuatha Nua National Championships that took place in Mystic. Hartmann and Dean competed against hundreds of dancers from participating schools throughout the United States at the national meet. Hartmann competed in the Intermediate Under-14 Division, where she placed first in the hornpipe and second in the treble jig. Dean competed in the Intermediate Under-14 Division, finishing second in the reel and fourth in the slip jig.

In the championship event, Hartmann and Dean once again competed by dancing to 32 bars of music in the reel, jig, and the treble jig. Hartmann finished in third place and won the overall title of Third-Place Under-14 Intermediate National Champion. Dean came in fifth place, claiming the overall title of Fifth-Place Under-10 Intermediate National Champion.

Hartmann has followed in the footsteps of her teacher, Casey Krane of Westbrook, by securing a spot on the 2021 Emerald Dancer travel team. In 2021, Hartmann and the Emerald team will be traveling to Ireland for a two-week performance tour. While in Ireland, Hartmann will perform for Lord and Lady Mayors, in addition to performing in castles, the Titanic Museum, and other places.

Westbrook Dance Academy offers programs for people of all ages and ability levels in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip-hop, Irish step, acrobatics, and musical theater, as well as technique workshops. For info or to register for fall classes, contact 860-664-4308 or westbrookdanceac@aol.com, or visit westbrookdanceacademy.com. For info on the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance, contact KTMulkerin@aol.com or visit mulkerinirishdancers.com.