“The first thing my little girl asks after ballet class is, “How many sleeps ’til the next time, mummy?” Ballet is the biggest thing in her life and having started last year in Pre primary, what she learns every week at ballet class permeates all aspects of her life. She practices all by herself, chooses a ballet DVD over any other Disney ones, her drawings are of ballerinas and she actually folds ever so carefully her ballet uniform and puts it away with pride. As I watch her practice, I see a determined child, focused and with concentration. At such a young age, she has discovered that the arts elevate and enhance life. She really wants to be better and is learning that this requires effort and discipline. Exposure to ballet has taught her that. I am so glad that we found the Ruth Mc Dermott School of Ballet, where these life lessons are gently taught, through the teaching of the beautiful art of ballet.
Thank you Ruth and Trisha!”

Ann O’Callaghan, Roscommon

 

“I started dancing with the McDermott School of Ballet when the school opened in Roscommon, over 8 years ago. Since that time, the school has bloomed and I’ve had a variety of great experiences. I have taken a number of exams and I am currently awaiting the results of my Grade 7. Exams give us the opportunity to showcase and be marked on all the hard work from class. I have also taken part in competitions. In 2002, i participated in the Irish National Dance Awards for the first time, in the Under 12 Group category. I got to wear my first tutu, a gorgeous white one, and we were thrilled when our gavotte came 2nd! I competed again in 2009 in the Under 19 solo Ballet and Jazz sections and although i didn’t win, the experience of competing and preforming was invaluable. We have also staged fantastic show, one of which was The Nutcracker and I had the privilege of playing Clara. Ballet with Ruth and Trisha has given me a real love of dance and I hope to be able to continue with Ballet when I go to college next year.”

Fiona Madden, Roscommon Town

 

“Dancing played a major part in our lives when we lived in England, so when we moved to Mayo we thought that it was something we would have to forfeit. Soon after our move to Ireland, Ruth Mc Dermott opened up a ballet school in Roscommon. Ruth gave us such a warm welcome and Jessica was able to continue her dancing virtually where she left off. Ruth is a wonderful teacher and has a lovely sense of humour. She encourages each pupil to develop their talent and achieve their full potential. Jessica continued dancing up through the grades to achieve grade 8 ballet and intermediate level in modern dance.

Both Ruth and her daughter Trisha are wonderful choreographers. The ballet school has presented wonderful shows and we were able to experience again the bright lights, beautiful costumes and the thrill of performing in very professional productions. Jessica was provided with the opportunity of competing at the Irish National Dance Awards. This competition was a real challenge especially as some of the adjudicators were from the Royal Ballet. Thanks to Ruth’s teaching and choreography, Jessica went on to win the junior title twice.

Being a pupil of Ruth Mc Dermott exceeded all our expectations. The high quality of teaching and the dedication and interest shown to each child by both Ruth and Trisha enables their pupils to enjoy the magic of dance.”

Julia and Jessica, Ballyhaunis

 

“My daughter has attended classical ballet classes and the week long summer camp, for the last seven years with Ruth and Patricia [Trisha] Mc Dermott in Roscommon. They are true professionals in all that they do, be it class work, examination preparation, dance competition [Irish national Dance Awards] or full ballet productions for stage. Their hard work, continous high energy and love of ballet and dance is transferred effortlessly to their students through their teaching. Ballet and dance is taught in a very happy and inspired way. Every child’s potential is encouraged and nurtured until it is realized.

Congratulations and continuous success to Ruth and Trisha at the mc Dermott School of classical ballet and Dance and to all its students.“

Barbara Morris