‘Keep it Up’: Champion Dancer Shauna Finn

CHAMPION dancer Shauna Finn recently appeared as a coach on an RTÉ television show aimed at bucking the trend of young girls giving up sports when they reach their early teens.

‘Keep It Up’, which is directed by Firhouse filmmaker Roisin Kearney, features a different coach from a variety of different sports in each episode.

Shauna Finn, a 22-year-old dancer from Belgard Heights in Tallaght, recently coached young girls on the show and detailed how approaching dancing as a sport has been key to her successful career.

A past pupil of St Mark’s Community School in Springfield, Shauna has competed in dancing competitions all over the world and was on RTÉ’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ for three seasons.

The talented performer’s passion for dancing was bolstered when she volunteered in Tallaght University Hospital’s playroom, which ignited her interest in dance therapy and led to her studying dance in Inchicore College.

Shauna told The Echo about her family’s involvement in St Mark’s GAA Club, her experiences as a professional dancer, and her enjoyment in being a coach on ‘Keep It Up’.

How did your interest in sports come about?

I grew up watching girls at sport as my mam was playing senior football for St Mark’s GAA Club.

At the age of four, I started Irish dancing at Marie Caren Irish Dance Academy in Jobstown.

As soon as I turned six, I was playing camogie and Gaelic football at St Mark’s. My mam actually coached the team.

I was a very active kid and loved hiking with my dad too!

When did you realise dance was your preferred sport?

At age 11 I did a dance camp at Xquiste Dance – little did I know my life would change at that point!

I started Latin and ballroom, and within a month I was at my first competition. I enjoyed the discipline, determination and passion needed to win.

I had to make the choice of which sport I was going to put my everything into and for me it was dancing.

What was your routine like when you began to take dancing more seriously as a sport?

I used to wake up at 4.30am before school and walk across to the Belgard Community Centre, which I was always so grateful to for letting us use the hall every morning.

We would train for two-and-a-half hours, then I went to school. Straight after school, I would go to the dance studio and take classes, teach lessons, and do my homework in between.

On weekends we would travel for competitions and to training camps in incredible places like Italy, Austria, Germany and many more places across Europe.

This is when my eyes opened to dancing being a sport.

What impact has dancing had on your life?

Dancing has given me so many opportunities. I was on the RTÉ series ‘Dancing With The Stars’ for three seasons.

I have worked in America, Brazil and across Europe as a dance teacher and performer.

I have been in multiple music videos and films, including the hit Irish film ‘Sing Street’. Most recently I was filming in Enniskerry for the new Disney movie ‘Disenchanted’.

I’ve danced alongside Westlife, Riverdance, Wild Youth and Des Bishop – I even got to perform in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ legend Brendan Cole on his tour.

What did you enjoy most about being on ‘Keep It Up’?

Being able to chat to the young girls on ‘Keep It Up’ and encouraging them to embrace movement, and the idea that dance is sport, was incredible.

I am so passionate about what I do because I love it so much and I think it’s amazing to have a job you love.

I think girls are dropping out or reluctant to do activities and sport because of the stigma around sport. I loved teaching the girls on ‘Keep It Up’.

Hopefully I inspired them, and anyone watching, not to be discouraged from doing something you love. Do what makes you feel good and enjoy it.

Sport is so important physically, mentally and emotionally the skills you learn along the way are invaluable.

What advice would you give to young people who want to be more active?

There are so many options available to do activities every day of the week – after school, before school…the options are endless.

It’s about trying them all and seeing which one makes you feel good and leaves you with a smile on your face and a sense of accomplishment.

I’m being biased, but I think everyone should try dancing at one point in their life.

I always hear, ‘I wish I could dance’, but the truth is everyone can dance. It’s a natural instinct. Some may need more practice to develop the skill, but everyone can.

I always use the example that nobody could ride a bike on the first try or tie their shoelaces. It takes time, but time flies when you’re having fun.

Shauna Finn is a coach on episode four of ‘Keep It Up’, which is on the RTÉ Player now and is produced by RTÉ Jr and Macalla Teo.

For more information on Shauna, follow her dance school Infinity Movement Ltd on Instagram.