The Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance recently celebrated its 2-year anniversary by hosting it's second annual recital at Reed Intermediate School on May 26th. The production, entitled "Celebrate the Magic," took it's 400+ audience members on a magical journey of imagination and storytelling through dance. It featured both light shoe and heavy shoe numbers including "Villains," "Practically Perfect," and "the Thief of Agrabah."
The student body at the academy is build of 90 students ranging from 4 years old up through 24 and ranging from beginner level up through championship. This year, the academy celebrated four regional champions, six qualifiers for the National Championships to be held in Orlando, FL this July and two qualifiers for the World Championships which were held in Glasgow, Scotland last March.
The academy opened in May of 2016 and is owned and instructed by husband and wife team, Craig and Christina Ashurst of Newtown. The pair of certified Irish dance instructors met on tour in the touring production, Riverdance, and also toured with Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance and Celtic Woman. The couple recently welcomed their first child this past April, as well.
The academy is currently enrolling classes in Newtown and Danbury for it's month long June session (ages 4+) as well as summer camps (5+). Information can be found at http://www.ashurstirishdance.com or by calling (203) 928-0689.
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