BECOMING a professional dancer was always a dream for me. I started dancing when I was four and I remember when Riverdance and Lord of the Dance burst onto the scene, it changed Irish dancing forever.
Before that reaching the World Championships was the ultimate goal. You went to dance class and every weekend you went to a Feis. I was always very competitive as a dancer and I always set goals for myself.
I remember my first time going to the World Championships and, as I recall, I didn’t place. The following year I watched the World Champion in my age group very closely and saw how beautiful her point was and how high on her toes she danced.
Every night for the next year I would do exercises in my bedroom perfecting my arch in my foot. The next year I went to the World Championships and I made the top ten.
From that point on I had a successful competitive career, winning several Connacht Championship titles. I was also consistently ranked in the top ten at the World Championships, All Irelands, Great Britains and British Nationals. Performing came naturally to me, although I worked very, very hard to perfect what natural talent I had.
This determination and hard work paid off when I eventually got into Riverdance.
After my first year in the show I became a lead, a position offered to me because I was always a very strong troupe member. I danced my best and gave my all 100 per cent of the time; I also take a lot of pride in my appearance which is a very important aspect of being a show dancer.
The whole process of getting ready for a performance is one of my favourite things and led to me training as a professional make-up artist. I also started Irish Dance Makeup which is a full hair and make-up service for Irish dancers.
Being a show dancer is different from competitive Irish dancing but the same principles apply.
Hard work and determination will always outweigh talent. You have to work hard and set yourself goals. You also have to look the part. I’ve never seen a World Champion dancer go onstage who doesn’t look like a World Champion!
Their hair and make-up is done beautifully to complement their dress and to complement their dancing. It all works together. The same goes for being a professional Irish dancer on stage, you have to look and feel the part.
MY TOP TIPS FOR A DANCER TRYING TO GET INTO A BIG IRISH DANCE SHOW LIKE RIVERDANCE ARE:
1. Be prepared. Try and see the show you want to get into or learn a little about it. It helps to know what type/style of dancers the producers and directors are looking for.
2. As a dancer you always need to be in good shape and this can be especially important when making the transition from competitive Irish dancing to joining a show. A lot of the time you might audition or send in a tape months before you get a call to say you are needed, so you always have to be ready. Keeping fit on your downtime/off-time, even in holiday seasons like Christmas, is a must.
3. Take another dance class like ballet to help with upper body movement. Every Irish dancer knows that keeping your arms by your side is a must in competitive dancing but on stage, and in a performance, so much more is asked of you. Irish dancing has evolved so much and it is still evolving so it’s good to be aware of different dance styles that are now commonly mixed with Irish dance.
4. Work on learning new steps. Quite often Irish dancers are used to doing the same steps and technique for a long time before learning something new. Always challenge yourself to learn new material. Maybe you have already auditioned and now you have made a short list to get into a company.
The company may ask everyone on that list to come and do a workshop to learn the show with the intention of taking a couple of people straight away for a tour. More often than not it will be whoever picks up the steps and can do them well who will get the job.
5. Look after yourself and eat well. Appearance is important when in an Irish dance show so don’t turn up for an audition looking like you just rolled out of bed. First impressions do count and the dance company looking to hire you will remember if you came to the audition looking the part. They are looking for dancers with the full package.
Lastly never give up. If it’s your dream to get into a particular show then work hard set yourselves goals and you will get there!
Caterina Coyne was one of the longest-serving lead dancers in Riverdance and left the show last year. Now based in Los Angeles, she now runs the Coyne Irish Dance Academy in LA
