"The Thunder Clap of Dance on Delmarva!"
Footsteps Irish Dancers was founded in the fall of 1999 by Kelley Taylor due in part to her love for Irish step dancing and by the request of her students and the community. Dancing quietly in the studio, around town and at their annual recital, the Irish company didn't get too much attention until Jeanne Du Nord, founder and co-coordinator of the Chesapeake Celtic Festival became aware of Footsteps after having read an article about the new Irish Company in the newspaper. At that time, Jeanne Du Nord asked Footsteps Irish Dancers to come and perform at the Annual Chesapeake Celtic Festival in October of 2000 and it seems as if the rest is history. Footsteps Irish Dancers was a small group of more polished Irish students from Footsteps Dance Academy at that time and they were happy to perform at the Festival. Giving their all in 6 Irish shows in 2 days, Footsteps Irish Dancers were an immediate sensation! In the months following that first "big gig" request to join the company and Academy were so many that Footsteps had to move into larger studios to accommodate the demand. The company even received international attention in March of 2001 when the prestigious publication "Irish Dancing" did an article about Kelley Taylor and Footsteps Irish Dancers and what the company has done for Irish Step here on the Shore. In the years that have followed Footsteps Irish Dancers has grown into the Shore's only Pre-Professional Irish Step Dancing Company with over 50 cast members including World Champion Irish Step Dancer, Mr. Douglas Westfall. Mr. Westfall has just received his T.C.R.G!
Known for their innovative style, beautiful costumes and "bring down the house" A Capella finales, Footsteps Irish Dancers love to perform! The company enjoys duel success when members of the Footsteps Irish Dancers are able to compete in regional dance competitions with Footsteps Competition Team. The Irish at Footsteps has brought home the Gold time and again!
Footsteps Irish Dancers takes great joy in knowing they keep Delmarva supplied with real Irish Dancing. The Shore really seems to have adopted their Footsteps sweethearts as they receive standing ovations at almost every single performance.
Currently the company is thought to be the most photographed Irish Step Dancing company on the Eastern Seaboard!
Be sure to see Footsteps Irish Dancers~Live~On Stage at this year's Chesapeake Celtic Festival in beautiful Furnace Town, Snow Hill, MD Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2005. The new show is currently in production and should be their most glamorous Irish Show to date!
For More information about Chesapeake Celtic Festival go to www.celticfest.net
Membership in Footsteps Irish Dancers is by audition only
