TWO pupils from an Irish dancing school in Barnsley are taking part in a global competition that sees them go up against dancers from America and the Middle East.
Michael Duke, ten, and Meghan Popplestone, 19, are members of the Taramor Dance School which runs classes at Wilthorpe and Redbrook Community Centre.
They have qualified to dance at the the World Championships in Irish Dancing at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow and are among the one per cent of Irish dancers worldwide to compete at the event.
It began last Saturday and runs until April 1 and the young dancers earned their places at the competition in December last year at a regional qualifying event in Manchester.
Michael, who goes to Wilthorpe primary school, danced in the boys under-11 age group at the weekend.
He didn’t make it through to round three by Jenny Doherty, from Taramor, said it was his first time and it was a massive achievement just to step on the stage.
“It’s a very big event and credit to him for getting up and performing. He gave it his best shot and was pleased with his performance.
“It hasn’t put him off, if anything it has spurred him on. It’s onwards and upwards.”
Meghan, who travels to class every week from Scarborough but whose family come from Barnsley and has relatives here, will dance in ladies under-20 age group tomorrow.
Jenny added: “It is now a worldwide with competitors coming from Europe, Russia, Africa, Australia and even the Middle East - there is a class in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s highly competitive. It’s a tremendous achievement because there is a lot of really good dancers who do not make it to the world championships simply because there are so many in the age groups and only the top so many through.”
