Big appointment for Mayo dancer

DANCE Ireland has officially launched the appointment of Mayo dancer Liam Scanlon as their 2016/2017 Associate Artist.

This significant development was officially launched at DanceHouse in Dublin by special guest speakers Sheila Pratschke (chairperson of The Arts Council) and Dr. Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain (Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick).

Liam, from Glenhest, is an award winning and accomplished sean nós dancer, collaborator and teacher, working nationally and internationally. A recent graduate of the MA in Traditional Dance Performance at University of Limerick, he has performed extensively throughout Ireland, the UK, France, New Zealand and the United States, with, among others, Damhsa Dance Company, and on shows including Ragús, Avalon Celtic Dances and Atlantic Rhythm.

Currently Liam is working on Sokalo Remix in collaboration with Zogma Danse Collectif, Montreal, on Irish and Canadian tours. Liam has also performed alongside an eclectic range of traditional music artists, including Altan, Goitse, De Dannan, Kíla and We Banjo 3.

A winner of Corn TG4 at Oireachtas na Gaeilge (2008) and winner of senior sean nós dancing at the World Fleadh (2009), Liam frequently adjudicates at competitions including All-Ireland Fleadh, An tOireachtas, Féile Pan Cheilteach and Féile na Mí.

In addition, his extensive teaching engagements include Le Bono Winter School, Ballyshannon Folk Festival, Tokyo CCÉ and summer schools in Birmingham, Westport, and Irish Dance Festival, Carlingford. TV work includes TG4 An Jig Gig, Poball and Féilte.

Liam was commissioned to choreograph Patrick by Westport Town Hall Theatre (2016) and has contributed choreography to shows including Legend of Grainne Mhaol, The Admiral and Wild Atlantic Show. This is an area of focus for Liam, who will use his time as Dance Ireland Associate Artist to develop his choreographic ideas and creative collaborations.

Liam has identified Dance Ireland’s Associate Artist Programme as 'a key opportunity to develop my own dance practice further through strengthening links with dance artists in other genres as well as the traditional arts'.

It will also, he said, “afford me the time to explore, learn and reflect, and allow me valuable opportunities to realise my vision as a choreographer at this critical stage of my career.”

The Associate Artist Programme complements Dance Ireland’s ongoing work of supporting dance artists through professional development opportunities, residencies, mentorships, platforms and practical supports which facilitate the development of all forms of dance in Ireland today.

To date, Dance Ireland has supported seven Associate Artists in their self-directed projects: Aoife McAtamney, Emma Martin and Liv O’Donoghue (2012/13); Maria Nilsson Waller and Philip Connaughton (2013/14), Catherine Young (2014/15) and Patricia Crosbie (2015/16).

Liam is the first Associate Artist in traditional dance.