Like Drayna, who competed last year, Reilly and Boyle will match their prowess against top dancers from Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, the US and Australia. Such contests are nothing new for the three, who began learning to step-dance around the time they entered kindergarten. They say the experience has strengthened their ties with family and cultural traditions. But what most people don't realize when they see 'Riverdance' or a more traditional Irish step-dance performance is how the dancers have spent long, long hours mastering the art. The competitions have always been the means of expression for that effort.
Dancers compete both as individuals and representatives of their step-dancing school's team.
Like Drayna, Boyle and Reilly qualified for the world competition through winning performances in regional and national events. Of course, there also are the social mores and unwritten rules befitting a long, distinguished tradition. Dancers jockeying for the best spot on stage have been known to crowd one another, even collide, and apologies are not always forthcoming. Innovations are not especially welcomed, either. The carping about favoritism or other issues, they say, cannot begin to measure up to the sheer enjoyment dancing brings.