Daily Inspiration: Meet KC Irish Dance Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to KC Irish Dance Company.

Hi KC Irish Dance Company, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
KC Irish Dance Company began as Ceili at the Crossroads in April of 2012. It was founded by 4 dancers, Kiera O’Boyle, Kiernan Walshire, Catherine Barrett, and Lauren Whitaker. Ceili at the Crossroads was created as a place to enjoy the love of dance after leaving the competitive Irish Dance scene. We have grown immensely since 2012 and have now rebranded as KC Irish Dance Company to reach a wider audience and share our respect for this art form with everyone!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have many challenges along the way. We have struggled with money the whole time as we dance at any opportunity and mostly for free. This has led to financial pains while growing and supplying costumes and props and sound systems.

We apply for any grants we can find! We operate as a non-profit and all of our dancers are volunteering their time and physical energy for this art. We work hard to find gigs and gigs where we can perform.

Dancers have come and gone, leaders have changed but our mission of reaching the community with dance has stayed the same

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are Kansas City Irish Dance Company. We are artists in residence at the Kansas City Irish Center. We are a group of dancers that all come from competitive dancing backgrounds from local area dance schools. As Championship level dancers we use knowledge and talent to create choreography that is a mix of technical skill and artistry.

We combine traditional and classical Irish Dancing with a contemporary style to form a strong, powerful, while also graceful, show. We are most proud of our communication, collaboration, and our ability to have FUN on stage.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Dance is all about risk-taking. The risk of getting hurt. The risk of missing a step.

The risk of falling. The risk of missing the counts. The risk of no one applauding. The beauty of dance is persevering through the risk to create something beautiful that adds a story to the song. We risk our bodies and our creative abilities every time we step foot on that stage. And that is what creates the finite moment of anticipation when we leap or dance on our toes.

Irish Dance especially embodies risk-taking because it is linked so strongly to culture. We hope that we are representing you well.

Pricing:

• $150 for a 30min show. Prices always are negotiable.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.kcirishdancecompany.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcirishdancecompany/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/kcirishdancecompany/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/crossroadsdancekc

Image Credits
Siobhan Barrett Photo and Travis Young Photography