WE ARE WIDA – Madeleine Dale
Imagine growing up in a small village with no historical connection at all to Irish dancing and then going on to win an Irish dance world title — not once, but three times! Some believe that our path is predetermined; others believe we choose our fate, some believe that it’s a mixture of both; but if someone had suggested to Madeleine’s family in her very early years that she was going to be an Irish dancing multiple world champion, there would surely have been some furrowed brows.
Salford Priors is a very small village in the midlands of England — it’s very, very English. Not far at all from where William Shakespeare lived, the culture of the area would give no indication of the path laid out for Madeleine. Madeleine’s grandfather’s chance encounter of an Irish dancing performance in the village led to him suggesting that she might enjoy joining the dancing class in the village. That one suggestion is all it took to change Madeleine’s life forever. The path was there before her, and dance along it she would.
Let’s go back to the start. Like virtually every dancer, teacher, and adjudicator in the world, Madeleine’s journey into Irish dance started with that first class, a combination of nerves and amazement at watching the older, experienced girls complete their dances. She wanted to be like them. She didn’t know how yet, but she knew that she wanted to do what they were doing.
While dancing came naturally to Madeleine, she still had to work hard on certain aspects of her performances. Honing her skills under the tutelage of Mary Felton and Meabh Linnane of the McCarthy-Felton School of Irish Dancing, Madeleine’s progress was rapid, and at 8 years of age she was crowned the WIDA European Champion. This was her breakthrough year, during which she managed to take out the British Open Championship as well.
Ask any championship-winning dancer and they will tell you that the route to the top is not a straight line. Often stories are told of progression followed by disappointment, followed by a breakthrough, followed by a struggle; on and on it goes. Ups and downs are simply part of the journey. Over the next two years Madeleine would work exceptionally hard, but the reward for this work wouldn’t arrive until 2017 — what a year that would be! Persistence, diligence and determination would eventually bear fruit. During 2017 Madeleine would win the British Open Championship for a second time and the German Open Championship as well. Madeleine would also take out the most significant prize of all — she would be crowned the 2017 WIDA world champion!
In 2018 she defended her British Open Championship title and achieved the same incredible feat with another world title. Winning a world title is a phenomenal achievement; very, very few get to call themselves a world champion, but even fewer get to call themselves a multiple world champion, and even fewer again get to say that they have won the world title three years consecutively! Madeleine can, because in 2019 she did it yet again; standing on top of the podium, letting the screams and cheers wash over her, Madeleine walked across the stage with the bright lights glimmering off every jewel on her dress and climbed to the highest position in the auditorium. From this moment on it could never be taken away from her: 3 times!
We asked Madeleine the following questions:
Q – What are your favorite things about WIDA as an organization?
A - I love that it is such a global organization and you get to meet dancers from Hong Kong and Russia, as well as dancers from Mainland Europe.
Q - If you could describe WIDA in 3 words, which words would you use?
A – Friendly. Inclusive. Family.
Q - Name your top three WIDA dancers?
A - Chloe English. Nicole Lenehan. Zofia Bielicka.
Q - Who is your favorite Irish dancer currently?
A - I would say my favorite Irish dancer at the moment is Alliyah O’Hare because she has such incredible technique and watching her dance always inspires me.
Q - Give us an insight into your practice regime in the build up to a big event?
A - Building up to a big event I will practice 6 times a week. In the beginning I work on my stamina and towards the end I focus more on technique and performance.
Q - What characteristics do you think a dancer needs in order to become the best?
A - A dancer needs to be hard working and determined, but it’s important that they still need to have fun. They should never give up, even if it gets difficult.
Q - What do you feel when you are on stage?
A - Right before I dance I get very nervous, but once I start I forget about everything and just listen to the music.
Q - What would you say is your biggest strength as an Irish Dancer?
A - I would say my biggest strength is that I am hard working and I don’t stop until I am happy with the steps I am working on.
Q - What would you say is your biggest weakness as an Irish Dancer?
A - I would say my biggest weakness is not believing in myself and letting my nerves get the better of me leading up to a big competition.
Q - Do you feel pressure in the run up to an event or at a big event?
A - 100%! I always feel lots of pressure leading up to a big event, but my mum reminds me that I am doing it for myself not anybody else and that I should just enjoy it.
Q - Are there any crossover skills/attributes that you have taken from Irish Dancing into other aspects of your life?
A - Irish Dancing helps me have more confidence and helped me make new friends as I was transitioning into secondary school.
Q - Moving forward, do you think you’ll try and forge a career in Irish Dance?
A - I would love to have a career that involves dance and it has always been my dream to be part of Riverdance or to become a dance teacher.
Q - Share with the Irish Dancing world something that they will not know about you?
A - I am a massive FRIENDS fan and have watched all 10 seasons at least 5 times!
Q – What is your favorite major venue that you have danced at?
A - My favorite major venue was Eindhoven where the World Championships were held last year.
Q - Do you have any words or a poem or quote that lifts you up?
A - My dance teacher said to me when I was really nervous before I danced my modern set at worlds last year, ‘Just listen to the music’, and those words have helped me ever since.
At just 12 years old, Madeleine’s achievements are exceptional. Her path into Irish dance may have been more of a happy accident than a pre-planned route, but that hasn’t stopped this young lady from embracing every aspect of the art. She is not just a fantastic ambassador for the WIDA organization; she is a fantastic ambassador for Irish dance generally. Madeleine is the perfect example of how Irish dancing can transform the lives of young people; give them direction and crossover skills, and allow them access to a wide and positive community. Fate? A series of random events? Regardless, Madeleine is on top and whether she stays on top or not, the Irish dancing world is better for her being a part of it, and she is better for having had access to this amazing culture. FEIS App looks forward to following Madeleine’s journey moving forward and wishes her the very best of luck.