Dance Spotlight: Ella Owens, U15
Scoil Rince Ceim Oir, Southern England, CLRG.
Do you remember your first feis, if so where was it and how did you do? My mum Hilary, tells me that my first feis was a class feis and I wouldn’t say I danced at it, I ran across the stage in a pink top and tutu that she had sewn together! I didn’t fit into light shoes so I wore tiny socks with black pumps on them and it was so much fun. After that I started going to proper class and once I had been to a few more feises and I loved dancing even more.
We understand you’ve been an avid reader of Irish Dancing Magazine What things about the magazine have helped or inspired you along the way? I’ve loved always reading about the dancer of the month and what their stories are, they are always so inspirational and such amazing role models. It’s also really nice to relate to somebody else about your experiences, successes and hardships. I also love the adjudicator section because it’s always good to know what the judges are looking for, it's good to know what pleases people.
Tell us about your life on the international dance circuit. Have you worked your way up the competitive ranks or have you always been a top placer? I’ve been very fortunate to have been a top placer from a young age but I’ve had to work hard and sacrifice things. The competition standard is always so high that I never take any of it for granted.
I won a couple of titles quite young and didn’t have the same understanding of what it all entailed really, my mum and the other teachers in the class always made sure that I was prepared but always instilling in me that other little girls would also have their day on the top box and that that was ok too. As I’ve gotten older, I would say that I place more value on every win. The other girls in my competition are so dedicated and talented.
Tell us about your family – we understand you have some incredible Irish Dancing genes! My mum Hilary Joyce Owens, is my biggest inspiration and she was such an incredible dancer, managing to get 5th at the worlds in Galway, without her I would be nowhere. My nana danced in Mayo for Mrs Redmond, all my mums siblings danced as well so dancing has been in my blood since the very beginning. All of my successes I owe to her and my other incredible teachers. Ceim Oir is built on team spirit and family, so I would say that the other teachers in the class, Kerry, Lucy and Karen are family to me also, they have all known me since I was born.Then, I was very fortunate to have Marie Duffy Pask join our class five years ago, she leaves no stone unturned. 
