Gyula Glaser and Nicole Ohnesorge
creators of Camp Rince Berlin for Irish dancers
Photo: courtesy Gyula Glaser
"There are not many other jobs where at the end of your working day an audience of people cheers and applauds for you on stage."
~Gyula Glaser

Please welcome Gyula Glaser, European Championship Irish dancer, performer and teacher. Gyula learned to Irish dance a the Ronan Morgan School in Budapest. He lives in Berlin, Germany.

Christy:  You are one of the creators of Camp Rince Berlin, a workshop for Irish dancers; how did this awesome opportunity come about?

Gyula:  My partner and I (Nicole Ohnesorge - Tap Connection) have done a few workshops together in Berlin which were very popular among adult dancers in the area, so we wanted to make a bigger event for them. A week-long program of Irish dance classes at different levels for dancers with different aims and needs. And so there was Camp Rince Berlin, which will be held for the 4th time this year between the 24th - 30th of June. It has indeed become an international event, as we have dancers attending from different parts of the World.

Christy:  With roots in Hungary, and now Germany, how did you discover your love of Irish dancing?

Gyula:  Like many other at the time, I was also first influenced by one of Michael Flatley's production that I saw on television around 2000. I was fascinated by the footwork of those dancers. A few years later I had the opportunity to take classes at the Ronan Morgan School in Budapest. I soon realized that this is definitely something for me and so I wanted more and more. About 3 years after I started dancing, I decided that I want to become a professional dancer so I went to the dance school 6 days a week to take part in competition and show classes as well.

Gyula Glaser Irish dancer
Photo: courtesy Gyula Glaser
Christy:  I see that you have performed and competed widely. What have been your most memorable moments?

Gyula:  On the competitive side, definitely winning my 3rd European title was something very special as I knew that it will be my last competition, so I just wanted to give it socks and have a good time. On the performance side, having performed in Breandan de Gallai's Noctu in New York was an experience that I will never forget. I was also lucky enough to perform with Magic of the Dance at the Cinema for Peace Gala in 2010 in front of celebrities such as Leonardo di Caprio and Liam Neeson.

Christy:  Which do you enjoy more, performing Irish dance, or teaching the sport to others?

Gyula:  I enjoy both performing and teaching Irish dance very much. Performing in front of different audiences every night is very rewarding. In all fairness there are not many other jobs where at the end of your working day an audience of people cheers and applauds for you on stage. That is something that keeps dancers going and the feeling is very addictive indeed.
Teaching has other challanges and rewards of its own. When you see a child or an adult perfecting a move based on your instructions, or just as you see them progressing further in their competitive life, are very nice moments indeed. In my teaching experience it is very important to handle every student invidually. One way of explanation might be perfect for one student, but it may not help others the same way. I always try to give as much individual advice as possible during my workshops and classes.
Gyula Glaser Irish dancer
Photo: courtesy Gyula Glaser

Christy:  Does your school support adult Irish dancers?

Gyula:  Absolutely. At the Berlin based Tap Connection, where my partner, Nicole Ohnesorge, is teaching, there are many adult dancers as well as kids. Camp Rince Berlin was specially designed for adult dancers in the area as the adult classes are taking place during the week in the late afternoon and evening, so everybody who needs to work can attend them.

Christy:  What do you feel is the future of Irish dance in Germany?


Gyula:  Irish dance is still popular in Germany. There are many different Irish dance productions touring and attracting audiences around the country, and generating interest in this beautiful art form. There are always new trial students coming in to classes, because they would like to try this dance form as well. German dancers are very dedicated and hard-working, and I am very much looking forward to see their drive taking them further. I hope that in a few years time, the first generation of young German dancers will take the stage in bigger Irish dance productions.  


Gyula Glaser
Photo: courtesy Gyula Glaser
Christy: Thank you so much Gyula. Good luck in both performing and teaching. 













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A new WIDA feis in the Western United States is accepting registrations for May 18, 2013. It is open to all platforms. For more information click here

Readers: Are you an adult Irish dancer or a dance school, competitive or not, with a story to share? Would you like to inspire others to feel your passion for Irish dancing and culture? Do you have a question about Irish dancing? Please visit www.christydorrity.com