Sarah Costello TCRG
Summary Dance /
Music Qualifications
Irish Dancing Grades 1-10
Traditional Irish Flute Grades 1-5 (Certified by London College of
Traditional Music)
Classical Violin Grades 1-4
Won ‘Miss Teen Belfast’ in April 2002, went on to compete in ‘Miss Teen
Ireland’ in May 2002, where I won ‘Best Talent’ for dancing and playing
Irish traditional music on the flute and whistle.
Won the ‘Antrim Maiden’ 2007 competed in Maiden of the Mournes Final
August 2007.
Passed TCRG (Irish Dance Teachers exam) in February 2008.
Languages
English and Irish
Hobbies
Irish Dancing, Playing Traditional Irish Music on Flute and Whistle, Speech and
Drama, Acting, Keeping Fit.
Dance Experience
Started Dancing at the age of 5 for Eilish Morris School of Dancing, Belfast.
Due to Teacher retiring moved to Maura McGowan School of Dancing, Belfast in
1999.
Was an open dancer from the age of 14. Was placed in Top 5 of Belfast
Championships from 2000-2003. Won many overall Cups and Trophies.
Choreographed and Produced Many dance exhibitions and shows for Schools in
Belfast including St.Roses High School, St.Dominic’s Grammar School, and
St.Matthews Primary School.
Started to Dance Professionally at the Age of 18 for Rhythm of the Dance. Toured
Europe and America Playing the Flute and Whistle and also dancing in the show
from May 2003 - January 2004.
Started to help teach Children in January 2004 through my own dancing class.
Made up all the exhibitions and displays for the class including figure and team
dances.
Continue to Dance myself competitively. Was Placed 7th In All Ireland and
International Dance Championships of An Comhdail, March 2005. Ladies Under 20
Have Danced for many displays and exhibitions at Weddings, Corporate Events and
Traditional Irish Festivals.
Currently Still dancing and assist in the teaching of my class.
Completed Grades 8,9,10 in January 2006 in Irish Dancing.
Toured Portugal with ‘Rhythm of the Dance’ June 2007 and Spain in July 2007.
Joined ‘The Rhythms of Ireland’ Irish Music Dance and Toured Australia Sept-Nov
2007.
Passed TCRG Exam in February 2008. Fully qualified Teacher now.
Toured Australia April 2008 for 6 weeks with 'Rhythms of Ireland' Irish Dance
Show.
Resided in Tenerife with 'Magic Feet' Irish dance show from May 2008 – December
2008 in which I was a dancer and musician.
Toured January- April 2009 in Germany with 'Night of the Dance' Show as
Principle Lead Irish Dancer.
Performed in Killarney and Ballybunion Co.Kerry in Dance Of Desire, Irish Dance
show May 2009.
Resided on Gold Coast, Australia with Dance of Desire, Irish Dance show from
July 2009 – Febraury 2010 for 7 months. Was Lead Female Dancer in show.
Toured Poland and Slovakia with Gaelforce Dance as a professional musician and
dancer. Was also the Troupes Dance Captain. Feb – April 2010
Toured Russia and Holland with Gaelforce Dance Sept-Nov 2010 as Dancer /
Musician and Dance Captain of the troupe.
Toured China with Dance Of Desire Dec 2010– Feb 2011 as Lead Dancer and
Dance Captain of the show.
Toured France with Celtic Legends March – June 2011 as Lead Irish Dancer.
Resided in Salou, Spain with my own show ‘Irish Beats’ from June –September,
2011. Choreographed and Produced myself. Lead Dancer and Producer.
Currently a Professional Lead Irish Dancer with ‘Raglan Road’ Irish Show in
Downtown Disney, Orlando Florida since October 2011 to Present.
Stage Experience
From the age of 12 I have been involved in Many school plays and productions.
In October 1998 was an extra in the Film ‘Titanic Town.’
From 1996 – 2003 Was involved in all school Musicals. Was Cast a principle
role in October 2002.
Was awarded the Drama Prize for Highest Mark in GCSE Drama in St. Dominics in
June 2001. (Out of 70 Drama Pupils).
Through involvement in GCSE and A-level Drama in school produced and
performed many plays including Bertolt Brecht, The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
Danced in Waterfront Hall, Belfast and Other schools as part of the Dominican
Anniversary concert.
While Studying a BA (S) Drama Degree in Queens University Belfast, was involved in
Various productions, Most recently being a lead dancer in the Christmas Pantomime
‘Sinderella’, and played a lead role in a devised piece for Second year practical
module.
Was Chosen to participate in a professional ‘Television Presenting’ workshop with
Channel 4’s Dermott O’Leary in November 2005. Took part in an intensive 2 day
workshop on how to present live television associated with Cinemagic, Belfast.
Have Played the Tinwhistle from the age of 7. Started to play Traditional Irish
Flute at the age of 12. Was a member of the Andersonstown School of
Contemporary and Traditional Music from 1992 to present.
Performed in Andersonstown Traditional Group in Royal Concert Hall, Scotland
and Royal Concert Hall, Dublin. Won ‘Gunniness Entertainer of the Year’ Award
in Northern Ireland in 1999.
Was music teacher of tin whistle in Andersonstown Traditional Music School from
2000-2008.
Have performed in many gigs and concerts across Ireland 1996 –present.
Was a film Extra in film ‘Buy, Borrow, Steal’ March 2007.
Most recent plays include, ‘As Close as you get to being there,’ September 2007.
‘C’Mere till I Tell ya’ Queens Theatre. December 2007 (Was nominated for Best
Overall Production at Irish Student Drama Awards, March 2007.)
‘Queens: The Musical’ Queens Theatre. March 2007.
‘The Threepenny Opera’ by Bertolt Brecht. Empire Music Hall, 7th, 9th and 10th
May 2007.
Was a featured extra in BBC Series ‘Fairytales’ June 2007.
Did ‘Axa Insurance’ Advert June 2007.
Extra in ‘Crime Breakers’ Documentary for RTE, December 2007.
Professional Irish dancer with ‘The Rhythms of Ireland’ Irish Dance Show Toured
Australia September 2007-May 2008.
Resided in Tenerife, Spain from May 2008-December 2008 as a professional
musician and lead irish dancer.
Performed in INEC Killarney and Tintean Theatre, Ballybunion Co.Kerry with
Dance of Desire Irish Dance Show.
Leading Irish dancer and musician with the show 'Dance of Desire' which resided in
Conrad Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast, Austrailia for 7 months from July 2009. Was
Lead Female Understudy, and musician also.
Irish Dancer and Musician with ‘Gaelforce Dance’ which toured Poland, Czech
Republic and Slovakia Feb – April 2010, and Russia and Holland Sept-Nov 2010
as Dance Captain and Dancer .
Lead Dancer and Dance Captain with ‘Dance of Desire’ in China from Dec 2010Feb 2011.
Leading Dancer with Celtic Legends France March – June 2011.
Choreographer and Lead Dancer in my own show ‘Irish Beats’ in Spain June to
September 2011.
Currently Residing in Orlando, Florida as a Professional Lead Irish dancer and
musician in Raglan Road Irish Show, Downtown Disney. October 2011 – Present.
References
Mrs Maura McGowan (ADCRG)
48 Grangeville Gardens
Belfast
BT11
02890290948
Photos: (see following page)