City Riverdancer relates her experiences

1.How did you get selected for the show and what age were you when you were selected?

I was 20 years old when I auditioned for Riverdance in Dublin. At the time 2 companies were already touring, the 'Liffey Company' – UK and the 'Lee Company' – USA and Canada. I passed my audition and began training in England in 1997. A third company was formed 'Lagan Company' which I was contracted to begin touring in January 1998.

2.Where were you based and did you get to travel the world with the show?

The Lagan Company toured Canada and North America from 1998 to 2003. I travelled many states and cities in Canada and America. Most of the time we travelled to a new place every 2 to 3 weeks. Sometimes we were lucky enough to settle in one place for 1 or 2 months, that way you had more time to familiarise yourself with the city and get to see and do more. I always tried to make the effort to take in city tours or visit local attractions, just incase we would never get to return. But with the huge success of the show, we had the opportunity to return to many cities again, like San Francisco and Boston which have a strong Irish American connection. In addition to this I also had the opportunity to visit parts of Europe and the Czech Republic for television and corporate events.

3.What was your most exciting moment with the show; was there something in particular that you think you will always remember?

I think the first year of the Lagan Company was the most exciting moment because I had my own independence, my lifestyle was very different to the normal 9 to 5 job and we were living in some beautiful hotels, having opening night parties, signing autographs and getting a taste of stardom with VIP passes to many different places and meeting celebrities who came to see the show in the big cities, like Los Angeles. Jackie Chan and the late Aaron Spelling were huge fans of Riverdance. I was meeting new people from all over the world and most of all getting to do what I loved and making a career out of it. It was a whole new experience to me and to most of the performers. As it was a new company, many of the cast had just joined Riverdance so there was a lot of enthusiasm and great energy within the company and travelling for 4 or 5 years with the same group of people, they became your family away from home.

I have many memories from my time on tour with Riverdance and will always remember the great people I met over the years who I worked. Being from Derry, there was always someone who knew someone who lived in the city you were visiting, so I met lots of great Derry people who made me feel welcome when I was away from home. It was always great to see your own family visit when you were 5 or 6 months on the road and getting homesick; having them see me perform was something I will always remember.

4.Do you have a favourite part of the show?

I love many parts from the show as Bill Whelan's music is outstanding and I never get tired of listening to it. However, as a dancer in the Irish Dance Troupe, I would have to say the 'Riverdance' number which is at the end of Act I, is my favourite part to dance in the show. As it is the original from the Eurovision Interval Act in 1994, it really gets the audience going. It's the part of the show everyone recognises and, as a dancer, it gets the adrenalin going with the entire dance troupe on stage.

(As an audience member Trading Taps is one that gets the best reaction. It's a dance collaboration between the American Tap Dancers and Irish Male Dancers. It is at the beginning of Act II and is always guaranteed to get a standing ovation; it's a brilliant piece).

5.How did you start Irish dancing? What age were you?

I started Irish dancing at the age of 3. It was inevitable that I would take up Irish dancing as my mother danced and her family so I was taught by Mary Soal.

6.How can people get involved in Irish dancing locally?

Irish dancing has always been popular in this city and there are many dance schools locally in Derry and Donegal. You can get involved by going down to local community centres or parish halls to enquire.

7. This is the first time that Riverdance has come to Derry. What do you think it will mean for the city?

I am thrilled that Riverdance will be coming to my hometown especially as we are presently in the final four for Derry as UK City of Culture. It is a great opportunity for the people of this city to see the show which has received International acclaim through sold-out shows and packed houses worldwide, as well as winning many top awards such as the prestigious Grammy Award in 1997. The show is a mixture of music, song and dance and has a strong storyline about our culture including the myths of Ireland, emigration and the experience of the new world with other cultures of music and dance.

8. How can people get in touch with you as a dance teacher?

I am now a qualified teacher at the Evans School of Irish Dancing which was established by my sister 22 years ago. We teach in the Community Centre in Carnhill and we also have a class in Burt, Co. Donegal. We teach children from the age of 3 years up who want to learn as part of our culture or who are interested in competitive dancing. More recently we have a keen interest in adults wanting to learn to Irish Dance which is fun and helps to keep fit.

Contact Evans School of Irish Dancing on 0044 (0)77 3265 5028

The global extravaganza, Riverdance, will storm the stage at the Millennium Forum from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September 2010 for five shows only. For further information on the show, contact the Forum's Box Office on +44 (0) 28 7126 4455 or book online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk