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Ella Dickerson excels in Irish dance
Ella Dickerson takes a stance for Irish dance and holds her American Girl doll, also costumed for Irish dance. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Irish dancing attracted Ella Dickerson for its music and dancing style, “which is ‘reely’ interesting with fast-paced footwork and dynamite-powered leaps.”
“I’m Scotch-Irish, and the cultural heritage of Irish dancing connects me to my ancestry,” Ella said.
“I am a passionate Irish dancer in the level-three, soft shoe/hard shoe class at Fitness Arts Center, owned and operated by Brandan Newman,” Ella said. “And if anyone is wondering, Irish dancers wear wigs. It’s not our real hair.”
Ella attends sixth grade in a private classical school and participates in Classical Conversations one day weekly.
Her parents are Jeff and Crystal Dickerson. He works as a senior management analyst for the Liquid Engines Office with MTS at NASA. Crystal directs Classical Conversations at The Brook. A native of Madison, Jeff graduated from Bob Jones High School and was captain of their first soccer team.
“Dad met my mom at the University of Alabama. They moved to Madison right after they married,” Ella said.
Also a student at a private classical school, Ella’s eight-year-old brother Eli is a third-grader. “An avid athlete, he is not so convinced that Irish dancing is a sport. I tell him I’d like to see him try my slip jig or an Irish leap,” she said.
Q&A
Q: Where do you like to eat in Madison?
A: Whistle Stop Sweet Shop.
A: Whistle Stop Sweet Shop.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: “Fresh Isom’s peaches on vanilla ice cream,” Ella said.
A: “Fresh Isom’s peaches on vanilla ice cream,” Ella said.
Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: Her brother Eli’s AYSO soccer team, the U10 Hurricanes.
A: Her brother Eli’s AYSO soccer team, the U10 Hurricanes.
Q: What’s your favorite performance memory?
A: “Preparing for the upcoming ‘Irish Nutcracker,’ set for production at James Clemens High School on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. We’ve have been practicing since July. Since I practice at home for one hour every day when I’m not in class, I dance for over eight hours per week,” Ella said.
A: “Preparing for the upcoming ‘Irish Nutcracker,’ set for production at James Clemens High School on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. We’ve have been practicing since July. Since I practice at home for one hour every day when I’m not in class, I dance for over eight hours per week,” Ella said.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Listening to bagpipe music, ‘Minecrafting,’ playing with American Girl dolls, watching “Little House on the Prairie,” reading historical-fiction books, playing tin whistle and going to Irish dancing classes.
A: Listening to bagpipe music, ‘Minecrafting,’ playing with American Girl dolls, watching “Little House on the Prairie,” reading historical-fiction books, playing tin whistle and going to Irish dancing classes.
