Enda Keane, was born in Belfast but it wasn’t until some years after his family moved to Canada that he first tried Irish dancing. It all started at a festival on the Lakeshore near Humber Campus, Ontario. Performances from some Irish dancers were part of the program and Enda, aged six, followed their steps while they danced. It was suggested that he should take it up and as his parents had connections at The Graham School of Irish Dance he went along to try it out. He took to it like a natural, although his father swears his dance moves are certainly not genetic.
The Graham school has been a great place for Enda to hone his skills. It has become like a second home, as the school has a brilliant family feel to it. Under the tutelage of mother/daughter team Sheila and Alexandra Graham, his dancing has gone from strength to strength.
Enda is now, at almost 11, the three times Eastern Canadian Oireachtas Champion. He finished third at Nationals, qualifying to compete in the 2016 World’s for the first time ever. The World’s are always held during the Easter holidays and 5,000 dancers descended on this year’s destination, Glasgow, all eager to compete forthe coveted trophies.
Enda went on to capture 11th place; a fantastic accomplishment for his first appearance there. His ambition for the future is to move up the placings until he stands atop the podium with the Globe trophy in his hand. For the time being, however, his sights are set on the North American Championships to be held during July this year, in Orlando, Florida, which he will work towards while balancing dancing with his other major passion of ice hockey. Enda currently plays with a local hockey team, The Ice Warriors at “AA” level and finds juggling his dance career with playing rep hockey very difficult at times. He pursues both with enthusiasm, leaving his coaches and supporters in no doubt that, whether it be through hockey or Irish dancing, Enda will be no stranger to podium placings in the future.
