Isabel and Elise are Lords of the Dance. 71296 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Vanessa Chircop
FOR sisters Isabel and Elise Kavanagh, their obsession with Irish dancing started with the younger of the two, Isabel’s crush on Michael Flatley.
After being given a Lord of the Dance DVD several years ago young Isabel not only developed a crush on the dancer, but decided she wanted to dance just like his female dance partners.
Isabel’s mother Andrea remembers her daughter pushing back all the furniture and trying to teach herself the dances.
More than five years later the sisters have been dancing with Dempsey School of Irish Dancing in Laverton, competing in competitions and even helping teach younger students at the school.
For the first time the girls competed in the Australian Championships this year and despite not winning were thrilled to be there and showcase their talents for their grandparents who were visiting from overseas.
“It’s always very exciting when they’re up there dancing,” Andrea said.
Elise, 13, described her love for the dance as addictive.
“As soon as you finish one dance you want to start on the next one,” she said.
“You make a lot of friends.”
Isabel, 12, said she had won several smaller competitions but would like to win a large one like the Australian Championships one day.
Despite their love of competing, the Hoppers Crossing sisters said they weren’t competitive with each other.
Their youngest sister Beth, 7, also attends lessons at the school.
Andrea said Irish dancing could be very expensive but Dempsey School of Irish Dancing made it very affordable.
The mother of three said dancing had taught her girls responsibility and how to be an appropriate role model to the younger students.
“Their life is Irish dancing – which in turn means my life is as well.”
