Hannah and Sarah are selected to represent Ireland in the World C’ships
Hannah Coulton-Dillon and Sarah Brennan

Hannah and Sarah are selected to represent Ireland in the World C’ships

TWO Tallaght dancers have been selected to represent Ireland at the International Dance Organisation (IDO) World Tap Dancing Championships in Germany in November.

Hannah Coulton-Dillon and Sarah Brennan, both aged 15 and from Jobstown and Ellensborough respectively, went through a competitive audition process earlier this year to be selected for the team.

The two teenagers were selected after being nominated by their dance teacher, Paula Kearns, from the South Dublin Dance Academy, based in Tallaght Enterprise Centre.

Hannah and Sarah are the only dancers from Dublin and are part of the 18-strong Irish team of dancers from all over the country.

They recently took part in four days of intensive training, led by Dr Trish Melton, with the rest of the Ireland team in preparation for the dance competition.

Dr Melton is the director of the Tralee-based Kerry Tap Ensemble, and the team captain and president of IDO Ireland.

Both dancers started dancing at a young age. Hannah, who attends Old Bawn Community School, started dancing at five years of age, while Firhouse Community College student Sarah started at eight.

Hannah’s mother, Barbara Dillon, told The Echo: “Hannah started competing when she was 11, and it was clear she was very good at what she does.

“She dances all the time, she even tap dances when she’s brushing her teeth. It’s constant, and her dream is to go to the UK to train as a dancer.”

While Hannah is a skilled tap dancer, her passion extends to many different styles of dancing and she is a company member of the Irish National Youth Ballet.

For Sarah, tap is her favourite style of dance and she discovered her talent for it soon after she began taking dance lessons.

Sarah’s mother, Pamela Brennan, said: “Sarah’s been dancing since she was eight. She started with ballet for a year, but I was always trying to get her to do tap because I did tap dancing when I was younger.

“She did tap and excelled at it. When she started doing competitions with the South Dublin Dance Academy, she did a tap solo and got first place – the teacher knew then that she had good potential.”

Hannah and Sarah’s potential was recognised by Dr Melton, and the two skilled dancers will now get to bring their talent to the world stage.

Ms Dillon added: “I’m delighted, and so proud of Hannah. I think she’s amazingly talented. To get to dance on a world stage is a fantastic achievement.”

Ms Brennan is also delighted with her daughter Sarah’s success, saying:

“We’re so proud and so happy for her, because tap dancing is her passion.

“There’s a little bit of nerves, because she’ll be representing the country, but a lot of excitement about what’s going to happen.”

Hannah and Sarah will compete in the IDO World Tap Dancing Championships in Riesa, Germany, from November 23 to November 27.

TAGS
Share This