Shauna Coffey, a native of Athlone and a senior student of the Shannon Dance Academy, was selected to dance with Macnas for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.
A transition year student at The Bower, Shauna successfully auditioned, amidst stiff competition, for Youth Ballet West last September. Based in Galway, Youth Ballet West is one of only two youth ballet companies in Ireland to be in receipt of funding from The Arts Council. Shauna trains intensively every Friday and Sunday with the company, under artistic director Judith Sibley.
This dedicated young dancer is also part of the vocational training programme at the Corrib Dance Academy, Galway. She is currently training to take her intermediate examination with the Royal Academy of Dance.
Shauna was selected, along with 11 other YBW dancers to perform Melodican with Macnas as part of this year’s festival theme of Science and Innovation.
This is the fourth time that Judith Sibley and artistic director of Macnas, Noeline Kavanagh have worked collaboratively to express Noeline’s fantastic vision through movement and dance.
Wearing stunning metallic tutus, elaborate make-up, and head pieces, the Youth Ballet West dancers’ energy, enthusiasm, and talent were intoxicating as they danced through the streets of Dublin.
Shauna will also be playing a lead role in Shannon Dance Academy’s production of Swan Lake at the Dean Crowe Theatre on Saturday March 31 and Sunday April 1.
