By Holly DeCarlo-White
USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
The Milan Feis, an Irish Dance competition, hosted by the Tara School of Irish Dance in Milan was held, May 14-15 in Sesto San Giovanni, outside of Milan, Italy.
Dancers from several European countries, including Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland, competed in the two-day event, and were judged by two adjudicators from Ireland and England.
Stuttgart High School Students Sydney Bottcher and Eve Glenn competed successfully taking home wins in first through fifth place categories.
Sydney Bottcher, 16 years old, has been dancing since the fall of 2013 with the Halpin School of Irish Dance in Stuttgart. Bottcher discovered Irish dance just after moving to Germany, from a friend that also dances with the Halpin School.
Bottcher participates in about 3-4 competitions each year, competing against dancers at her age and skill level from all over Europe. In Milan, she competed in eight different dances; four dances at the Primary level and four at the Intermediate level, including both soft and hard shoe dances. Bottcher placed first in two dances, second in one and third in two, earning three trophies and five medals overall.
Tenth grade student Eve Glenn, competes over five times per year. She started dancing in the second grade in Germany at the Ramstein Youth Center and in Landstuhl, Germany. By third grade, Glenn began competing until she finished the sixth grade with Intermediate Level Placement. The Glenn family relocated to Niceville, Florida during her seventh grade year where she continued to study under the Drake School of Irish dance in Fort Walton Beach until the end of ninth grade. The family had the opportunity to relocate back to Germany, Glenn joined the Halpin School of Irish Dance in August 2015.
Having had the opportunity to compete previously at the first Stuttgart Feis, among many other competitions, Glenn thrived in Italy dancing in the Intermediate/Open category for ages 14-22 receiving first place against premier champion level dancers for her Treble Jig (Heavy Jig) hard shoe dance. She is also placed second in her Reel soft shoe dance.
The families were able to find and connect with the Halpin School of Irish Dance studio through promotion from Stuttgart Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation’s SKIES (Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration & Skills). The Halpin School’s show group also performs at a variety of events in the local Stuttgart area.
