New School to World Champion in 9 years!

Many schools never get to experience having a world champion dancer in their class. Other schools that have long and successful histories may still have only reached the top once or twice over many years of competing. To create a world champion many aspects of Irish dance have to come together and click at exactly the right time. The teacher must be extremely motivated and proficient in their craft, but the dancer has to be ‘special’ too. The dancer must have natural talent, resilience, determination, physical conditioning and be able to survive the ups and downs of the journey to the top. Even when all of these elements come together that world title may still prove to be very illusive. However, for a special teacher from Mullingar, Ireland, that ‘special’ dancer walked through the doors quite early in his young class’s history. Let’s take a look at the journey of teacher and adjudicator Kevin Lyster and his first world champion, Zofia Bielicka.

Kevin Lyster is a teacher and adjudicator within the WIDA organization of Irish dance. Although his school is relatively young — just 11 years old — he has had fantastic success as a teacher and his passion for Irish dance is obvious. A younger member of the teaching body of WIDA, Kevin didn’t actually dance for that organization himself. Kevin danced the entirety of his career within the An Comhdhail organization for the very well respected Carmel Somers, whom he credits with shaping much of his teaching style today.

Kevin achieved some fantastic highs as a dancer — including winning the Leinster and All Ireland titles in invention and ceili competitions. Another was touring with the theater production The Cloack, with singer Rebecca Storm. Kevin also danced at Croke Park, RDS and Trinity, and on national TV too. However, a real claim to fame came when Kevin danced on the global television series Vikings! So it’s safe to say that Kevin’s competitive and professional experience put him in a fantastic position to pass his knowledge on to the next generation.

However, it wasn’t all highs along Kevin’s journey in dance. In his late teens and early 20s Kevin had to endure a cardiac illness that impacted every aspect of his life. During this period, Kevin’s dancing career had to be put on hold; but it was during some reflection around this time that Kevin decided he wasn’t done with dance and that there was still a burning passion to become a teacher and set up his own Irish dance school. Fortunately, Kevin underwent life-changing surgery and made a full recovery, enabling him to put that dream into action.

After extensive research, looking into the organization that he himself had danced with, as well as many others, Kevin was pointed in the direction of the rapidly expanding Irish dancing organization WIDA. Kevin tells us: “WIDA was a young, growing and vibrant Irish Dance organization, and it was global. The people within this organization were hugely supportive of me making a return to Irish Dance. I loved that WIDA had family and friendship at its core, with equal opportunity for all as part of the WIDA ethos. There were so many friendly and supportive people in the WIDA team, including the now President Mrs. Elaine Walker, and they were full of encouragement and positivity. The excellent exam process, support and structure, with a comprehensive education and qualification in Irish Dance, were very impressive. I then decided that WIDA was the organization for me, so I applied, was accepted, and became a member.”

Over the following years Kevin studied hard and obtained his TCRG & TMRF qualifications, drawing experience from WIDA members from around the world. During this period Kevin also helped a former student through his TCRG, and presently has another student waiting to do exams.

It wasn’t too long after Kevin’s doors first opened that a young lady named Zofia Bielicka walked into his class for the very first time. Zofia, then just 5 years of age, had had no exposure to Irish dancing at all; no one in her family had ever danced before her. After seeing Irish dancing on the television she knew exactly what she wanted to do and felt right at home at that very first class!

Zofia’s early progress was fantastic. She loved working with her teacher straight away and Kevin was able to draw the very best out of her from the start. This special relationship led to Zofia achieving great things fast, and just four years after her first class she achieved the astronomical achievement of placing second at the All Ireland Championships in 2015. At her first World championships the same year, she placed an incredible 10^th! By this stage Kevin and Zofia had taken their working relationship to new heights and classes were taken to a new level of intensity. “My dance teacher, Kevin, would always tell me: ‘You’re only as good as your last performance’. This quote has stuck with me through the years. It’s really important that even if you place really well, you can always work harder and do better. The last title you may have won or lost doesn’t define you. The fact that you keep going and train harder does.” This ethos encouraged Zofia to work harder, and that she did.

The following year the teacher pupil duo were back at the All Ireland’s and while Zofia’s placement improved at the worlds — still a fantastic achievement of 8^th place — her result at the All Irelands wasn’t necessarily what they were hoping for. Finishing 7^th for many would be considered a great achievement, but Zofia and Kevin knew that there were higher goals within reach. In 2017, consistent hard work and dedication was continuing to pay off with a placing of 5^th and 4^th at the World Championships and All Ireland Championships respectively. And then 2018 came along.

In 2018 Zofia was crowned the British Open and the Scottish Open Champion. This was the start of an outstanding year, and later in the season Zofia went on to win the World Title! Just 9 years after walking in to her first class, she had reached the very top.

We asked Zofia and Kevin the following questions:

Q - If you could describe your dancing school in three words, which words would you choose?

Kevin - Passionate, Amazing, Epic

Zofia - Best school ever!

Q - What are the best things about WIDA in your opinion?

Kevin - The WIDA mentality is one of unity, friendship and healthy competition for everyone. I love to watch our dancers hang out and become friends with dancers from other schools and countries. I love to see them all chatting together before they go on stage. The hugs and best wishes they give to each other before and after coming on/off stage are fantastic to watch - even the hugs as results are unveiled. Friendships and respect go a long way in this organization and this is hugely visible at WIDA Events. I love the inclusiveness of the organization, where we have dancers from 4 years up to adult dancers in their 80s. The oldest dancer in Emerald Lakes is 70 plus! If WIDA didn’t have adults at a feiseanna our younger dancers would wonder where the adults were. Great respect is shown to everyone and WIDA gives all adults a platform to perform with full respect from the WIDA family of dance schools and audiences. The quality and standard is ever improving and is excellent for everyone who wants to fulfill a life ambition. It’s never too late and the old mentality of ‘when you turn 18 you give up’ certainly does not happen here!

Q - Are you planning to enter your dancers in the up-and-coming WIDA online feis?

Kevin - Yes! I have had some dancers compete at a special WIDA Lockdown Competition and now I have several dancers competing online via ZOOM for the WIDA Hong Kong Open Feis next month!

Q - What are your long-term aims as a dance teacher?

Kevin - My long-term aims are to continue to have my school afford all dancers an equal opportunity to achieve their very best in a most positive and healthy way in both Team and Solo Dancing, and to keep the flow of National, International and World Champions coming at Emerald Lakes. I also created and produced a graphic Irish Dance show 4 years ago which sold out for 4 nights between 2 theaters in Mullingar and Moate. It was based on the children who lost their lives during the 1916 rising and it was hugely emotional drama which received national acclaim during the 2016 100 year celebrations. I now have a new production ready and waiting to go! But Covid-19 has put the brakes on! I will drive on with this project whilst continuing to help my dancers excel at WIDA competitions.

Q - How would you describe your Irish Dance journey?

Zofia - My Irish dance journey has been filled with ups and downs. I have had to overcome obstacles such as breaks from competing and minor injuries. Although this may not really count as an obstacle, something that has always been difficult for me is competing against my best friend, Blaithin. We are very close and it's always hard to compete against her.

Q - Who is your favorite Irish dancer currently?

Zofia - My favorite Irish dancer is Zoe Talbot. She is an amazing dancer who inspires me to work and train hard and I hope to be like her someday.

Q - Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your Irish Dancing and why?

Zofia - If I had to put my success down to just one person, it would have to be my dance teacher, Kevin. He is an amazing dance teacher and he helps me with everything, from dancing steps to mental blocks.

Q - Do you just do Irish dancing or do you incorporate gym and stretching and other styles of dance?

Zofia - I incorporate a lot of things into my Irish dancing training. I take ballet and tap, as well as gymnastics, to help certain muscle groups and improve skills such as flexibility and jumps. I have been doing these for nearly 10 years and at first I didn't realize how much these contributed to my Irish dancing. I also have been doing stage school for the past 5 years and this has helped hugely with my stage presence and confidence.

Q - Moving forward is there anything you still want to do?

Zofia - I would love to continue dancing as I get older, and to dance for as long as possible. I would also love to be in Riverdance one day, even if it were just for a short period of time.

Q - Are there any crossover skills/attributes that you have taken from Irish Dancing into other aspects of your life?

Zofia - Dancing has really improved my overall fitness levels and stamina. It has also helped with my confidence, particularly in front of larger crowds. It has also, surprisingly enough, helped with time management skills. I have a list of things to do before I go to dancing or practice at home (these things include homework); I am more motivated to finish my homework instead of procrastinating.

Q - What top tips would you give an aspiring young Irish Dancer?

Zofia:

1.   Enjoy yourself!

2.   Practice makes perfect, don’t expect to get everything on the first try.

3.   Basic technique (crossing your feet, turning out toes, etc.) is super important!

4. Confidence and presentation are just as important as footwork - don’t completely ignore them.

9 Years! From the idea of creating a new dancing school to watching one of your dancers (Kevin actually had two dancers crowned as world champions that week in 2018) be crowned as world champion is exceptional. Kevin’s passion for dance, culture and teaching combined with Zofia’s love of dance, dedication and perseverance was, and continues to be, a recipe for success. FEIS App wishes Kevin and Zofia the best of luck in their futures within Irish dance. One thing’s for sure, the Emerald Lakes Academy of Irish Dance is in good hands.