It has been an amazing year for Cecily Charlton.
Not only did she become the Irish dancing world champion back in March, she has also just qualified as a teacher, passing her exams with flying colours.
The 22-year-old from Colchester has certainly come a long way since watching Riverdance for the first time back in 1994.
“I loved it,” said Cecily, who lives in Rowhedge Road with mum Mary.
“My sister Charlotte and I started lessons soon afterwards at McGahan-Lees in Colchester.
“We were the first students for our teacher Frances McGahan, so we all learned together.
“After about a year she told our parents that we had a lot of talent."
By the time Cecily was 14, the former St Benedict's pupil was good enough to qualify for the world championships, and has competed every year since then, consistently being placed in the top 20.
However, due to the expense of taking part in the competitions, she decided that this year's event in Belfast would be her last.
She says that she was quietly confident when she arrived in Ireland, after training intensively for six months beforehand.
“When I looked at who was competing, and who I'd beaten before and who had beaten me, I thought there was a chance I might win,” she said.
“I'd never been in that position before.
“But when I did my first dance, I felt something go in my foot – I'd torn some muscle in the arch.
“I couldn't believe it, and just thought 'that's that, then'.
“Frances spurred me on though, and said I'd just have to deal with the pain, and I did.”
Despite being injured during her two final dances, Cecily beat off her competition to be crowned the winner of the senior section.
“It was such a relief when I won, I just burst into tears,” she said.
“My sister also came eighth in her section, which was fantastic.”
As for the future, Cecily is now planning to make a career from teaching Irish dancing.
Together with her childhood teacher Frances, she hopes to help expand the school, which holds lessons around Essex and Kent.
And she has made a great start, by passing her Teastas Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha (TCRG) – her Irish Dancing Commission Certificate.
The challenging exam is made up of several components, including dancing, teaching and a written paper on music.
“I got 100 per cent in the music, and over 80 per cent in everything else,” said Cecily.
“There was no way I was going to do it again so I worked really hard!
“I have always wanted to teach so I'm really looking forward to it.”
- If you would like to join one of Cecily's classes in January, call her on 07737 226545 or email her at cecily4@msn.com
- You can also find out more about the school at mcgahanlees.com (see Related Links)
