Musicians
Our musicians for the Great Britain Championships 2008 are listed below. Click the image for a larger picture:
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Anthony DavisAnthony started the piano at the early age of 6 and progressed through his classical grades. It was at the age of 15 that Irish music really took his interest. He also plays the accordion and guitar and tours internationally with the traditional band Mise. He has worked with some of the finest musicians and is in huge demand as a session and recording artist. In 2004 he launched his debut CD for Irish dancing called “Perfect Timing” and was a great success. He is currently working on a second album, which will be released in 2009. Anthony has been playing for Irish dancing for 8 years and has played at feiseanna across the globe including the All Scotland, All Ireland, American Nationals, Australian Nationals and the World Championships. This is his 6th year playing at the Great Britains and Anthony would like to wish every competitor the best of luck at this year’s championship. |
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Seamus O'SullivanSeamus has been playing the accordion & piano for Irish Dancing for almost 30 years. During this time he has played all over the UK, Europe, USA & Australia. He has also performed at many music festivals from Shetland to mainland Europe over the years. He is looking forward to this year’s Great Britain Championships & wishes all dancers every success. |
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Dean CrouchDean was an experienced Irish dancer, winning every major title – World Championships, All Ireland, Great Britain, North American & All Scotland. He has many good memories of winning the Great Britain! Deciding to retire & concentrate on Irish music he has since won the World Accordion Championships & the All Ireland Fleadh. To be All Ireland Champion & World Champion on both Irish music & dance is quite an achievement at 17 years of age! The latest addition to Dean’s achievements is the development of his website www.deancrouch.co.uk – this website has been specifically designed for the Irish dancer, with downloads, ring tones and cd’s. This year, joining Barry Owens and the Main
Attraction has furthered Dean’s career
in Irish music, covering the variety of music
played by this well known Irish Band! Dean
can be seen playing keyboards – and
enjoying every minute of it. Dean would like
to wish all the competitors and teachers
the best of luck at the Great Britain's 2008. |
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Darren CheckleyI started my dancing career at the Irish Centre in Birmingham every Saturday with Margaret Hanway. Each Saturday morning would be the same kicking and screaming to get into the dancing class, then once I was in I would kick and scream to get out of there -- fun times! Unfortunately, the school had to close due to the teacher’s illness and my sister and I then transferred to the Doherty School in Birmingham. Marie Connell and Danny Doherty worked very hard with us and, before long, we were winning majors and world titles in both figure and ceili. I am very grateful for all the hard work Danny and especially Marie put me through, as I know that on many occasions, I was often a wee naughty boy and was always in the centre of the naughty gang lol! My music career started at the age of eleven. I would sit for hours on end watching Gerry Conlan & Seamus O’Sullivan at the local feis. I started to play for the feis when I was twelve and it was my principle teachers Danny & Marie who got me my first feis, the Wolverhampton Feis. From then on, I was asked to do other feis around the UK and Ireland. The demand was high and to this day, I am still playing worldwide for all major and local feis. I remember the days when I went down to the Great Britains to dance and I know all the stresses and strains of everyone who competes. I wish the Great Britains a huge success and wish to thank the organisers who have done so much this year to secure this venue. I wish the very best of luck to all dancers, teachers, adjudicators and musicians, and I hope you all have a wonderful time. "A Dancer's Prayer" |
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Majella CollinsI started my dancing career at the age of 6 years in Manchester. I had a successful dancing career including winning the North West Regional Oirechatas, and competing to World championship level. My other passion is music and at the age of 12 years I was taught the piano accordion by the late Miss Betty Kelly. Miss Kelly introduced me to playing at feiseanna and at the age of 17 I hung up my shoes and started to play music across the world. Over the last 13 years I have played at all major championships and local feiseanna. I have enjoyed playing alongside many of the greatest musicians in Irish Dancing and I love to play from the heart. I have a great love for playing dancing music and in 2004 I teamed up with Ann Murray to release our first CD -- Getting Jiggy With It! It proved to be a great success and we are so pleased everyone enjoyed it. It’s been a while but Getting Jiggy II is on it’s way and we hope you all will enjoy it. With such a great love for Irish dancing I decided to take the shoes out once more and take my TCRG exam in 2006. After successfully achieving my TCRG, I joined the McAteer School in Manchester. Marie McGuigan has been a fantastic mentor and being apart of the McAteer school was a great opportunity in the start of my teaching career. It was inspiring and the greatest foundation I could have wished for. In 2007 my romance took me to pastures new in London and I left Manchester to be with my partner Ciaron Brooks. I have opened my own beginners class which is really enjoyable and I hope one day I will produce some fine dancers. Irish dancing has provided many opportunities and so many memorable and great experiences. This however has come through hardwork and determination and I really believe that if you work hard great results will be achieved. The dancing has lead to many friendships near and afar and away from the competitions I really enjoy meeting all my friends at all the events across the calendar year. I am delighted to be invited to play at this year’s Great Britain in the new location and would like to wish all the dancers, teachers and parents all the best in the championships. Good luck & God bless x |
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Gerry ConlonGerry has been playing accordion and piano for Irish dancing for over 20 years and in that time has played feiseanna throughout the UK, Ireland, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand as well as numerous dancing-based folk festivals throughout Europe. In addition to Irish dance music, Gerry has won 4 All Ireland traditional music titles and 14 Great Britain titles on both Accordion and Piano and is a founder member of St.Roch's ceilidh band who currently play throughout the UK and Ireland. In addition to his passion for Irish music, Gerry has a great respect for the commitment and dedication that the dancers, parents and teachers give to produce the amazing standard of dancing that we see today - an appreciation which has been heightened over the past two years as his own daughters have become actively involved in the Irish dancing scene. Gerry wishes the very best of luck to all participants in this year's event, and to the organisers for a successful Championships. |