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Charlene Foley – The Rose of Irish Dance

Charlene Foley, aged 25, has it all going on right now.  She has sampled life on the road, starring in Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance”, She has placed consistently in the top ten at the World Championships, she has recently been crowned the London Rose and appeared at the internationally renowned Rose of Tralee Festival and in the midst of all this, she is successfully studying Medicine at the Imperial College, London.  Wow!! What a wonderful life this talented girl has.
So how does she manage to keep it all going?
Charlene gave us a few hours of her busy time to tell us how she manages such a hectic schedule, why she is adamant that Irish Dancing has taught her so many valuable lessons and why she has decided to remain involved in this crazy world of Irish Dancing even when she becomes a doctor!
Charlene has been involved with Irish Dancing for 16 years and she is a proud member of the Aaron Crosbie Dance Academy in London.  Charlene knows all too well the importance of having a good teacher:
“It’s very important to have a teacher that you get on with and trust.  I have great respect for Aaron and what he has achieved both in his own dancing career and as a teacher”, She says.
Charlene is convinced that Aaron measures up to her idea of a good teacher and that is not an easy task.  Charlene clearly lists the attributes of a good teacher.  They will provide, she says:
-Encouragement and support
-Creative Input
-Motivation and
-Honest and constructive criticism as well as praise.
Charlene feels that she is lucky to have Aaron as a teacher for he is all these things and more but as a World Class dancer she is quick to point out that every dancer must realise the importance of INDEPENDENT PRACTISE. 
“The More you do something the easier it becomes”, she says.  “It is important not only to work on your stamina but also to develop you own individual style.”
Charlene certainly has got it all sussed out and she explains it simply for all other dancers.  “Class is a great place to dance your routines through and iron out your flaws with your teacher but practice at home is essential.  Use this time to break down your steps and perfect each part, looking at the placement of your feet etc.”
Do you hear what she is saying?  Every Diva needs to make time for practise at home so that you dance your Diva Best.
Charlene was a lucky Diva herself.  She was part of the original Troupe 2 of “Lord of the Dance”.
“I had one of the best times of my life in the show,” She says.  “It was a wonderful experience and made me very grateful for and aware of the opportunities Irish Dancing offers”.
She does admit that coming back to competition dancing was difficult after being in the show.  “I felt stiff and awkward with my arms down by my side and it took time and a lot of hard work to get my solo dancing up to scratch again”.
Dancing in the show did have its advantages though because it taught Charlene how to cope with those dreaded nerves.  Charlene realises that nerves can be detrimental to a dancer’s performance and that it is really important for every dancer to try and conquer them.
“I just think you have to say to yourself that you can only do your best.  You’ll be annoyed if you come down after dancing and feel that you could’ve done better”.
Charlene’s advice?  “Think of it as a performance – you’re entertaining the audience and not competing!  At the end of the day, there can only be one winner, so just ENJOY!”
Charlene always tries to be prepared, both mentally and physically, for her competitions.  “If you feel you’ve put in the work, you will be more confident and therefore dance better.”  She has realistic goals for herself and sums them up neatly,
“My goal is always to please myself, my mum (my most critical judge) and my teacher.  If they feel I have danced well, then I’m happy and a good place is a bonus (But always welcome).
A woman of many talents, Charlene is currently studying Medicine and she was the London Rose at the 2005 “Rose of Tralee”.  For Charlene this was a childhood dream come true.  She loved the whole experience and says it was “A great opportunity to meet like minded girls from all over the world”.  Charlene is honoured and proud to be acting as an ambassador for the young Irish of London, 2005”
The Road ahead is packed full of opportunities for this Lady of the Dance.  She heads to Australia in the New Year and she hopes to dance a few steps Down Under while she’s there.  She is the proof that a successful and fulfilling dancing Career CAN be coupled with a high achieving academic career and still have time for a varied and colourful list of activities outside of all this.
“Life is all about balance, get on with it and you’ll see just how much you can do”.
She has wonderful words of wisdom for all dancers starting out.  Listen to the experienced Diva:
• Work on the basics.  This will stand you in good stead for the future
• Entertain
• Use defeat to spur you on
• Always strive to do better
• Anything is possible
• ENJOY         
Finally, Charlene tells us why she has been involved in dancing for so long and this list would make any of us want to dance forever:
• I have learned discipline and time management
• I have a great Circle of Friends
• I have travelled all over the world (well pretty much)
• I have danced in a variety of places and for a variety of things, Feiseanna, shows, fund raisers, etc
• I can actively continue my Irish Roots.
• I LOVE IT.

Charlene hopes to teach Irish Dancing one day and we would love to see this future Doctor training our up and coming Dancing Divas.
Charlene stands for everything that the idanceirish Diva believes in.
We wish her every success in the future and we hope to see much more of this dancing Rose in the World of Irish Dance.