Local dancers with the Trinity Academy captivate thousands to earn the acclaimed title of "Most Honored Group" at the 46th Annual World Festival of Folklore held last week in Schoten, Belgium. As ambassadors for the United States, Trinity students were invited to perform along side celebrated professional dance companies from Russia, Belgium, France, Bolivia, Mexico, Senegal and Greece. 

After a week of performances at one of the world’s most prestigious world peace festivals, Trinity was presented with the Festival’s top honor and the opportunity to perform the final act at the closing ceremony. "This is a great honor for Trinity on behalf of the United States," said Trinity founder and choreographer Mark Howard. "Our young dancers stole the hearts of the crowd. 

Our shows were carefully sculpted to reflect the U.S.’ traditional status as a "melting pot" and incorporated attributes from the dances of twenty countries representing the ancestry of our performers. Our kids epitomized America at its best, while honoring the immigrant roots from which our country became great." 

This is not the first time Trinity has been invited to perform at the World Festival of Folklore. In 1991, the Academy made its first trip to the renowned Belgium festival—one of the significant events that inspired founder Mark Howard to create the Trinity Irish Dance Company, a non-profit professional performing arts organization that originated "progressive" Irish dance, paving the way for other commercial productions. "This festival provided the impetus for me to found Trinity Irish 

Dance Company," says Howard. "It is amazing to think of all the ramifications resulting from this single event." 

Among the students who attended the 1991 trip were 2004 Belgium instructors, Ashley Purl and Dierdre Mahoney. Ms. Mahoney and Purl are both members of Howard’s professional Trinity Irish Dance Company and were responsible for instructing and leading the young Academy dancers to Belgium. 

"It is a remarkable experience to watch two of my twenty-something students return to this festival thirteen years later with students of their own. For Deirdre and Ashley to lead them to this level of acclaim in the midst of such remarkable international talent reinforces my confidence in our program and provides an indescribable feeling of accomplishment!" says Howard. 

The World Festival of Folklore draws over 26,000 individuals to Schoten annually. The ten-day event provides an opportunity for cultural dance groups to perform together in celebration of cultural diversity. Trinity was one of only eight groups selected to participate in this year’s event. 

In nearly 25 years, Trinity Academy Irish dancers have garnered an unparalleled 22 world titles for the United States. Trinity competitors have won six gold medals at World Competitions, the only American team to have brought home gold for the United States. Although they are from America’s Midwest, the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance is the most recognized Irish dance program in the world. 

Founded in 1979 by Howard, a two-time Emmy award-winning choreographer, Trinity Irish Dancers have been featured numerous times on most major network shows, including "The Tonight Show," "Late Night with Conan O’Brien," "Live" with Regis, "CBS This Morning," and "Good Morning America."

Trinity Academy of Irish Dance programs are located in Chicago on the Northwest Side and Lakeview, and in Western Springs, Downers Grove, and Arlington Heights, Illinois. For further information about Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, please call 773-774-5961, Visit the Trinity website at: www.trinityirishdancers.com or email the organization at: info@trinitydance.com.