Diddlyi Spotlight: Brittany [BWolf]

Name: Brittany [BWolf]
School/Dancing Organization: DeNogla School / CLRG
Dancing Level: Preliminary Champ
Location: Northern New Jersey

How did you first become interested in Irish dancing?

When I was young, my family and I attended a lot of Celtic festivals. I always loved listening to the hundreds of bagpipers and watching the dancers that came to perform. I just watched in awe and later on, my Mom saw an ad in the paper and asked if I’d like to do it. I was so excited to start dancing!

How long have you been dancing?

7 years, since I was 13.

Where did you learn your first steps?

Jandura School

How is Irish dancing viewed where you live? Was it difficult to find a dance school or dance group?

There are a huge number of dancers in my area, and many dance schools. At many local events, there are Irish dancers from somewhere, which is really cool. I love that the world gets even smaller when you join the world of Irish dance!

Do your friends/family get why you love Irish Dance?

Even though I’m the only dancer in my family, many of them love Irish culture and music, so the lure of dancing was very understandable. Since I’d also been doing ballet since I was 2, everyone knew I enjoyed performing. A lot of my friends thought it was really cool, I even got one to do it for a little while. I’m not sure they understand the wigs, though…some of my friends have said that it scares them a little.

Do you have any particular things you've achieved through dance you'd like to share with Diddlyi?

When I began dancing, I remember watching the Champion dancers at the end of the day, dreaming of what it would be like to dance with them. As I moved up through the Grades, I never really expected to earn my way into Preliminary Championships, let alone to be so close to making it into Opens. It’s really been an amazing experience and I’m so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of friends to share it with!

What's the most important thing you have learned from dancing? Or do you have anything you want to say to other dancers?

Dance has taught me to win graciously and lose gracefully in the words of my “feis mom.” It’s important to remember that you’re only competing with yourself to be the best dancer you can possibly be.

What's your favorite dance show and/or performer and why? Or is there any performer (even non dancing related) you admire?

Trinity is my absolute favourite Irish dance show! I admire all the dancers who have taken their talent and hard work to the next level and become teachers or performers.

What's the greatest thing about your dance school/dance group?

Everyone is so supportive; our teachers and the other dancers have really inspired me to become a better dancer than I ever thought I could be.

Do you have any fun/interesting/unusual stories about something that happened to you while dancing?

A few weeks ago, we stayed at the Stonehurst B&B in Maryland for the CCE feis with a lovely host who did everything he could to make us comfortable. When we were outside chatting, he said that the next
morning he was going to make me the “breakfast of champions” so that I could jump higher than I ever had before. It was very sweet and I really appreciated the sentiment. The next day, he made a wonderful breakfast for us and he must have been my good luck charm because I received my second 1st place there! We returned to the inn to tell him and thank him for his hospitality and he was so happy to hear it. Some dancers have a good luck bracelet, some have a good luck sock…I have a good luck innkeeper!

Can you give us a little background (non dancing related)?

I’m a junior at a small college where I am an English major minoring in Business and Art History. In January I’ll be leaving for Florence to study art, which I’m really excited for. While Irish dance is a huge part of my life right now, I’m an active Girl Scout, and also love singing, doing graphic design, playing music, and hiking. One of my non-dance goals is to hike the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine!

Is there anything else you'd like say/highlight or anyone you would like to thank?

I’d like to thank my teachers who have been absolutely incredible, the friends who deal with my enormous amounts of energy, and my parents who have always supported my passion for Irish dance.

In One Word

[This is where we ask the spotlighted person to describe themselves and dance in one word.]
Brittany: Exuberant
Best thing about ID: Clicks
Worst thing about ID: Sweat
Strangest thing about ID: Foam Donuts


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♣ Related Links
Brittany's Diddlyi Photos
Diddlyi Spotlight: Dylan Millar
All Diddlyi Spotlights
Diddlyi Blog

*Images courtesy of Brittany.
**If you are interested in participating in a Diddlyi Dancer Spotlight or Member Spotlight, please send a message to Rebecca.