Erinn Brown heading for Ireland

Erinn Brown

A Caledon dancer is doing her school proud, heading to Ireland later this year to compete.

Erinn Brown, 14 of Valleywood, is making a name for herself in international dance circles. A student of the McGinley Academy of Irish Dance, Erinn will be traveling to Killarney, Ireland, to compete at the All Ireland Championships in early February. She will then travel to the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland at Easter.

She is currently Canadian Champion, third in North America and 14th in the World.

Erinn also won the prestigious Minor Cup Trophy in 2006 (a competition one must qualify for so the other competitors are the top dancers in their area).

Erinn has been dancing for eight years. She's a very dedicated individual and practices at least one hour each day and attends nine hours of dance class per week. The grade 8 student balances her school work and dance quite well. Erinn is also a talented cross country runner.

Other kids her age are socializing but Erinn is constantly dancing. Her social life revolves around the dance class and competitions.

Instructors Roisin McGinley (left) and Clair McGinley-Faloona (right) congratulate Caledon's Erinn Brown.

"Her dedication and hard work is an inspiration to us as her coaches and to the other dancers in the Academy," said Roisin McGinley, a Caledon resident.

The Academy holds classes in north Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Cambridge and Norval and will soon expand to serve Caledon, Bolton and Orangeville.

The Academy has been open for 15 years and has enjoyed much local, national and and international success. The school currently holds two Canadian championship titles and three World medal placings. They are also available for shows, weddings and conventions.

Roisin McGinley was Canadian Champion and placed as high as 5th at the World Championships. After retiring from competition, she was asked to join and tour with Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance.

The other instructor and school founder is Clair McGinley-Faloona, also a Canadian champion. They are both registered with the Irish Dance Commission in Dublin Ireland to instruct. Clair is also a qualified adjudicator of the sport judging competitions internationally.

To contact the Academy, call Roisin McGinley, director and choreographer, 647-886-9419 or visit their Web site, www.mcginleyacademy.com.