When Taylor Bell started Irish dancing at the age of seven or eight, she always wanted to compete at the World Irish Dance Competition. Last fall, her dreams came true when she qualified to compete in Glasgow Scotland in March.
“It was amazing. Ever since I was eight my goal has been eventually to make it to the world championships,” Bell tells the Journal. “I was 46th in my division out of hundreds. For my first world’s I was happy with it. I can’t be mad at that,” adds Bell.
Starting in Sarnia at the DeVoy Academy, Bell then travelled to London to study at the Goggin-Stewart School of Irish Dance.
“I had started competing at that age and seeing the older girls with the big hair and sparkly dresses ... I was in love. I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Bell explains.
The St. Pat’s alumni trained hard during school and now as she finishes her second year in kinesiology at Western University, Bell continues to train at least three times a week. Bell handles the pressure of school and dance with ease.
“Usually I would do homework and stuff in the car, but I’ve always grown up with that routine that I have dance on those nights,” Bell says.
Bell acknowledges the sacrifices her family has made over the years, driving her to London for practices and various places for competitions and appreciates all of their support. Her goal now is to qualify at nationals in November so she can go to another world’s next year in Dublin, Ireland.
“I never really considered it to be something that I would be able to do. World’s is the top of the top dancers so getting there is always something I wanted to do but I was never sure I would make it,” says the 19 year old.
This summer, Bell will be teaching a beginner Irish dance class at Great Lakes Dance Academy.
“I do more modern contemporary [dance] ... the style I do allows you to compete against other schools,” Bell explains. The classes start May 16 until Aug. 22 with a recital planned for Aug. 24.
“It’s the students I taught for the 15-week program as well as some of the champ dancers from my studio in either London or Oakville depending on who wants to come,” says Bell.
As for what’s next, Bell plans on becoming a physiotherapist but still wants to pursue Irish dance.
“Ever since I started Irish dancing I’ve been working on my grade exams. So there are 12 of them and then after you complete those you can do your teaching exam. You have to be 21. So I’m doing my Grade 12 in June of this year and then the goal is when I am 21 to take my TCRG, your official Irish dance teaching certificate.
To register for the summer session at Great Lakes Dance Academy visit: taylorbellirishdance.com