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McGinley lands lead in Letterkenny 30.07.08

World Champ's sister to star in 'The Rising Step'

by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent

BUNCRANA Irish Dancer Rachel McGinley has won a lead role in a new production by former Riverdance performer Michael Pat Gallagher and director Carol Leavy Joyce. Entitled 'The Rising Step', the show is set for An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, in August.
Rachael, 19, is the younger sister of 2008 Irish Dancing World Champion Aidan McGinley. She is a student of the McConomy School of Dance in Derry. Rachel doesn’t think she will suffer nerves on the first night.
Rachel McGinley “I am used to competing on stage in front of an audience, I’ve been doing Irish dancing since I was three years old, so no, I won’t be nervous,” said the former North West Institute student.
Rachel has competed at World Championship level for the McConomy School and is the current Ulster championship runner up.
'The Rising Step' tells, through music and dance, the story of Irish dancing from the time when the dance master visited homes to teach the steps, to famous tales of dancing at the crossroads right up to the present day and the high-octane performances such as Lord of the Dance.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent yesterday Mr Gallagher said he saw a natural confidence
in Rachel during auditions in April that led to him naming her one of his three female leads for the show, which premiers on Wednesday the 13th of August.
“Rachel’s technical ability is excellent and she shows great composure up on the stage. She’s very professional,” said the Carrigart Irish dancer a lead with Riverdance since 1997 and holder of two World Championship titles.
“After the success of Riverdance in Letterkenny last year, we saw that there was a market for this type of show in Letterkenny. Hopefully it will appeal to locals and tourists,” said Michael.
Rachel hopes her run in 'The Rising Step' will help launch a career on stage.
“It’s my aim to become a full-time dancer and to get a show like Riverdance and travel the world would be brilliant, I would love to do that. Hopefully I will get more work after this show is over,” added Rachel.
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