Ashurst Academy Celebrates Anniversary with Dance Around the World in Newtown

The Ashurst Academy recently celebrated their first year anniversary with a spectacular display of dancing in their end of the year production, “Dance Around the World” at Reed Intermediate School in Newtown, CT.

The cast of 70 students, ranging in level from beginner to championship, performed pieces of choreography based in Irish dancing but themed around a global city or county including the Shieldmaidens of Sweden, Les Fleurs de Paris, Rhythms of Africa and Fairies of Killarney.

The production was choreographed and directed by the academy’s co-directors, Craig Ashurst and Christina Dolzall-Ashurst, of Newtown. The couple, who are champion dancers themselves, met on tour with Riverdance and married in 2014 before settling in Newtown and opening the academy last year.

The production also featured the academy’s competitive students whose accomplishments over at the most recent New England Regional Championships in November include qualifying places for the National Championships, podium placements in the traditional set championships and top ten placements in the team competitions.

For information on the Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance, which has recently been voted “Connecticut’s Best Dance Studio for Kids,” please visit http://www.ashurstirishdance.com or call (203) 928-0689.