Learn sean-nós from champion’s DVD

People may have seen All-Ireland sean-nós dancing champ Emma O’Sullivan give some sensational performances on Galway’s Shop Street over the summer, when she was busking outside Taaffe’s and Tigh Chóilí. Now she is sharing her skills via her new DVD, Step by Step.

She decided to make the tuition DVD because of the amount of people who stopped on Shop Street to ask her about learning this dance style.

“Sean-nós dancing is hugely popular, so I am delighted to offer everyone a chance to try it out in the comfort of their own home at a pace that suits them,” says Emma, who is currently on a world tour, taking in countries from the United States to Japan.

Step by Step tells the story of sean-nós dance through a variety of different performances in various settings around the West of Ireland including the Burren, the Spanish Arch, Inishbofin island and Northwest Connemara.

It includes tuition of 14 sean-nós dance steps, covering levels from complete beginner to intermediate, along with lively displays of brush and barrel dancing. Music is provided by the great Inishbofin melodeon player, Johnny O’ Halloran.

Connemara native Emma took up sean-nós dancing in 2005 and won the All-Ireland title at Oireachtas na Samhna in Letterkenny just four years later. She subsequently reached the finals of RTÉ’s All-Ireland Talent Show, accompanied by Johnny O’Halloran. Emma currently tours with trad group Téada and with dance shows Ragus and Rhythm of the Dance. Here at home, she entertains crowds every summer in the show, Trad on the Prom.

“It’s exciting travelling so far afield with the dancing,” she says. “However, I’m also looking forward to bringing some more Irish culture to the streets of Galway when I return in the summer.

• Copies of her DVD can be purchased at www.emmaosullivan.com for €20 each.