Since childhood she’s been driven to master Irish dance

When Camille Slaght was in elementary school, she sat in the audience while one of her classmates performed an Irish dance routine at a talent show. Seeing the power and grace of this tiny body kicking and jumping in her colourful and shiny outfit was enough to draw Camille into a sport she would one day come to dominate.
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When Camille Slaght was in elementary school, she sat in the audience while one of her classmates performed an Irish dance routine at a talent show. Seeing the power and grace of this tiny body kicking and jumping in her colourful and shiny outfit was enough to draw Camille into a sport she would one day come to dominate.
"Once I started, I knew there was a lot more to it than the costumes and the bling."
Camille performs in numerous competitions nationally and internationally, currently holding the titles of Eastern Canadian Champion and All Scotland Champion in Irish dance. While most people know some version of Irish dancing from popular theatrical productions such as Riverdance or Lord of the Dance, Camille describes it as an artform that incorporates more than just legwork and jumps.
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[@hipocampelofantocame]

This amount of extreme athleticism is beyond my ken. She's marvelous, and I would love to watch her performing a complete dance. Kudos!

[@MichaelBrown-zd1zk]

Absolutely beautiful. I am always astonished as to how these individuals are capable of turning their ankles at such extreme angles. Irish dancing is always a treat to watch.

[@nildarodriguez3974]

I'm not Irish, but love the Celtic music and dance. Very lovely!

[@drstew1]

This is like ballet tap. You dance with so much power and grace, it’s incredible. Seeing these steps slowed really gives me the chance to appreciate all the passion that goes into this...

[@geraldinesera8915]

Her skills are obvious and her passion will help to keep this art form alive for another generation. She's amazing!!!

[@eduardoOlima]

I just love this dance. "The bird" is so gracefull, poetic.

[@joerobinson4898]

Irish dancing is an art so much discipline and dedication is needed to perform at this level

[@tonygadaleta7446]

The world is in good shape particularly when young ladies like Camille Slaght exist. Credit to herself, parents and teachers

[@chayne81101]

Love Irish dancing, love her & her passion!

[@user-om6vi6cz2t]

So proud to be an Irish dancer!

[@HHHGeorge]

Wow!!! I didn't know there were two types of Irish dance. Soft shoe and hard shoe. This dancer was very elegant in her movement.

[@LiaHeartz]

Gosh. I am always so astounded by the amazing footwork and the amount of muscles these girls probably have in their legs to get themselves enough air for (i believe what she called it) the Bird with such small-step movements. All at the same time keeping their back straight, head high, and upper body so .... unmoved? My mother's side is from the Polynesian side so I grew up doing Polynesian dances and hulas. To see Irish dancing makes me want to get up and just jump around like an idiot. I really hope that one day I can see a live performance in a theater.

[@Ziaberry]

3:08 Her posture is just beautiful, I'm amazed at how well she's able to hold her back and legs just right

[@jkl799]

I have always been mesmerized by dancers. I love the movement and grace.

[@joshszantyr1386]

She's beautiful

[@137bob3d]

jean butler is my all-time favorite for her evident single minded focus . it comes to mind as i practice awareness of breath exercises during the day. the ability to withstand efforts of distracting thoughts to de-rail your attention. may ms camille develop this ability as well

[@RogerioCampanhol]

It's an amazing art. I adore watching those performances, it's mesmerizing.

[@LionTheHeart]

Love watching this kind of dance, it must be a case of practice practise practise! Love the Irish accent too!

[@MrArthurGiles]

You don´t need to be Irish to appreciate sill and grace like this. Bravo from England.

[@xaj1543]

Arthur Giles What in the hell is sill?

[@frankciborski835]

Dance to the rythym of your heart.

[@TheSponge33]

I could watch her dance all day, moves in perfection. The bird......love it. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@sandyeggerstedt3559]

Love Irish dancing And The Bird leap is incredibly beautiful

[@Mr91495osh]

Celebrating Ireland in the most wonderful way.

[@johnathonwebster5720]

Girls are special the beauty they bring to the world is most welcome!!

[@carmelpule6954]

This woman is very intelligent and she is capable of controlling her feet while she is in mid air at the right height. That can only be achieved over many years of training , That last jump at 3:09 , she jumps using one leg but she does not waste the momentum on the other, where the action is so beautiful. At 3:05 she commences to swing her right leg to give it as much momentum as possible using her hips as the centre of rotation for the right leg , then at 3:06 she rotates her moving right leg upwards to give it momentum upwards while at the same time she sinks a little on her left leg to tension its muscles. Then comes the jump on the left leg with the aid of the momentum on the right leg to aid the lifting of the body. When the time is right the left leg is folded till her left foot is raised to the maximum possibility that her body permits. Beautiful engineering actions with a rate of change so selected to introduce elegance and romance in the action, which is also engineering and mathematics combined to produce art or should I say Irish Dancing.

[@appriicity]

Carmel Pule' Lol the way you over analysed this, it’s just a jump xD

[@hurricanetankersley]

I rate this jump 10-10

[@hildareffold4345]

@@appriicity Ah! but it's a thing of beauty! I think Irish dancing is very spiritual, pure and ethereal. I just love it. This girl's a floating angel.

[@a.katherinesuetterlin3028]

Actually, the way you wrote it, it kind of makes me think of Richard Bach's famous story "Jonathan Livingston Seagull." Camille seeks to master Irish dance the way Jonathan wanted to master flying. To Jonathan, flying wasn't just about survival and getting food. Flying was freedom. Bach wrote Jonathan's inner dialogue to reflect his dedication, his every analysis of what he needed to do to achieve his goals. I watch Olympic figure skating and gymnastics from time to time and I love the analysis that goes on.

[@NancyLynn]

Wow, I love watching Irish dancers....thank you!

[@maya_unplugged]

As a dancer I used to slow down speed to watch the steps an learn from foreign dance-arts. But for this even 0,25xspeed isn’t enough to see what happens on the dance floor! 😂😳 Mind blowing!

[@tonybrogan6439]

Well done young lady love your heart for Irish dance and commitment

[@jennsdcstllblnck5571]

BUT SHE LOOKS LIKE A MEXICAN TOTONACA???? WHAT THE HELL?

[@opiskelu6097]

I jist cant tell, how much I appreciate this!

[@misterbracks]

you wouldn't think that something with so much discipline in its performance could be so emotive.....

[@rebeccamardis8772]

Her birdies are flawless!!

[@kennethhowell5291]

Irish dance a great tradition. Good for you!

[@idaksnatur8316]

Nur vom Bild her bekomme ich unendlich Gänsehaut.

[@patriciaeddy7629]

What a darling. Very, very good! May you keep those brogans tapping your whole life through♥️

[@bobbiemay6867]

River dance just knocked me out. I love ballet too!

[@wannabe8487]

Lovely dancing... Thank you for bringing joy into my world.

[@docholliday3273]

Incredible young lady!!!!! Stamina, poise and athletic ability are incredible

[@aoifekelly3281]

Brings back memories💓

[@carolynklenk8467]

I love watching dance!! Irish dance is truly amazing!! Its definitely an art!!

[@JM.H285]

As an Irish dancer and irish citizen she is really good

[@jrholmes79]

Loved your video! So interesting to see art and athleticism mixed. I’m Inspired by your talent and dedication.

[@juliattube]

as an irish dancer myself this is a super cool video

[@cecilhenry9908]

Something good from the CBC. How rare.

[@robinjackson7882]

Murdoch’s Mysteries is goog

[@brendanoconnell9620]

So cool. Imagine her on ice skates or on skis in a terrain park with those springs and balance. Superb athlete. Go.

[@breigesheppard8339]

You r amazing just love watching u keep been amazing

[@lynettefrancis2940]

What ever people say it's still beautiful to watch and the costumes cost packet all hand sewn

[@azmike1956]

A beautiful young lady pursuing a most beautiful discipline that is most captivating to witness!! Carry on!

[@ER-nj3uz]

When I was a champion no one wore wigs, we used benders and rags,slept in them, and they were quite uncomfortable. Dresses were longer and very heavy(just above knee) handmade with exquisite embroidery, there was no fake tan. We wore poodle socks and our dance schools custom hard shoe buckles, soft shoe dominated over hard shoe and dancers were all about high on toes and super curved points. ‘The bird’ never existed, it wasn’t about how high you could jump it was all about the actual complicated footwork. How things have changed in 20 years lol

[@christinepoynter5810]

Me too!!!!

[@lumauve7807]

How times have changed indeed, thanks for sharing us some info!

[@clicketyclack57]

I thought it was about heritage not a sport...i love to watch it.

[@thirdopinion8708]

The bird is out of this world. Like the bigger sister of the high-kick. Much more mature and graceful.

[@karrisajoss4271]

Unfortunately, I never got to do it professionally. I am proud of the excellence of dancers trying to perfect these beautiful art forms and sports.

[@nevem8584]

I miss this so much! I had done it for 7 years when my achilles tendon tore and I had to quit.

[@BeThrifty2]

I have great appreciation for Irish dance now.

[@johnlee4249]

Outstanding and very well done Camille :-D

[@Dutchfruitjar]

I had to quit because my studio closed and the next nearest one is 3 hours one way. Before I was only able to go according to schedule which was once a week for 45min then back 1.5 hours home. It was worth it but I wish I could have danced more. I'm 30 and still dance what I know but have given up on mastering it because it just seems like I'm not meant to. It makes me want to cry. I love it so much.

[@danyamozdzen591]

JenZ you can master it at any age it doesn’t matter of you’re 70

[@keiraholloway3288]

I had to quit Irish dance even though I loved it because my family couldn't affford lessons and competitions

[@alisongallagher695]

Keira Holloway I do an online course on Udemy with Martin Percival’. You can pause, rewind, and fast forward with the tutorial videos when you need to to learn the moves. There’s no charges except for buying the whole course.

[@dkhdkjhskj]

That was me with highland.

[@mimosaparkkonen8296]

Keira Holloway Don't worry, in the future you'll be affording it yourself. It's never too late to start or start again. Also, like the first responder said, there's a chance learning from the internet. But otherwise than the first responder said, for FREE. Just type "irish dance basics" etc on youtube. Many cool youtubers teach for free.

[@22grena]

They lied. It was the time commitment

[@DisneyLov4evr]

I had to quit because the studio I with with moved far away and was never able to find another I clicked with :/

[@madisonedmondson3515]

Man I miss this sport

[@nicoleward9325]

What do u mean u miss it I am an Irish dancer now are u ?

[@lee5353]

i miss it 2 i used to do Irish dance

[@unagavin2209]

So why did you stop?

[@scot60]

My daughter is a retired open champion Irish dancer and we both miss it sooooo much. There is nothing in the world like Irish Dance.

[@jameslawlor1635]

I don't look at Riverdance. I just love our Irish Step-dancers, with good music, there's nothing to beat them. I enjoyed your video. Thanks.

[@Chameleam]

I’m obsessed with her

[@itsmarco6340]

I don't get why Irish dance is considered a sport but ballet is not. I'm not saying Irish dance is easy, I know it's not. But why is ballet not considered a sport? I respect Irish dancers for the work they put in and I would assume they respect ballet dancers, so I really hope me just asking a question doesn't offend anyone.

[@VictoriaMonkee]

Honestly, everyone I know who does Irish dance considers ballet a sport as well!

[@thayrathyn]

I'm not even sure why you think ballet isn't considered a sport. Competitive ballet dancers and anybody remotely knowing anything about this consider it a sport

[@julietthedancer8524]

Dancer Kenna I'm a dancer too!! And I consider all forms of dance a sport, especially ballet. Most of my friends probably couldn't make it through five minutes of that. But I understand what ur saying bc a lot of times, non-dancers (like my brother) like to bash dance and say it's easy and say it's not a sport. The best are those long endless hours of ballet class when you come home and see your strong legs. That's what keeps me going when I feel like quitting (which rarely ever happens). Lol sry just got a little passionate and off track here, but ya anyway, I definitely consider ballet a sport!!

[@littlerockymtns]

Dancer Kenna ,Ballet is an art, not a sport. :)

[@lorrygeewhizzbang9521]

in Ireland by most kids it's considered a punishment 😂😉

[@stevenfuruya6113]

I really adore Irish dancers!

[@katiephalen3483]

Beautiful girl inside and out. Very impressive dancing.

[@seanlynam9055]

I think that you are an exceptional Irish dancer you have grace and beauty in your art in fact I think that you are better than most Irish dancers here in Ireland My niece is an Irish dancing teacher Sean Lynam

[@hayleymarse2853]

This makes me miss Irish Dance. I quit because the teacher disliked me and wouldn’t teach me the new dances so I would just watch the older girls and learn the dances myself so by the time I would learn them I had no problem doing them

[@jimeckenrode1271]

awesome, keep it up. love that kind of dance must be my Irish blood.

[@Townchild1]

This is Irondance. It looks soo beautifull.

[@CP-lb3xt]

I CAN SO RELATE TO THIS GIRL!!!

[@alangardiner7250]

Hell i can't tap my fingers as fast as she does her feet! Brilliant😊😊

[@chuckguerin8141]

It is pure passionate and beautiful. Lucky man that takes your love!

[@katywuste9054]

You are obviously very focused and passionate and it shows in your dancing

[@onlyhuman1954]

Absolutely outstanding! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tonycollins5890]

A very STUNNING art.

[@lexie02jones25]

Wow she’s good!!

[@deborahmalaise8410]

Absolutely beautiful dancing!

[@LL-fq4rx]

You are so good in dancing

[@boomerlady]

She really excelled.

[@TheYasminarf]

So beautiful and elegant ❣️. When I was young I was obsessed with Bernadette Flynn 😄

[@espr7564]

She's awesome ❤👍👍👍

[@tamarap1988]

Обожаю ирландские танцы!👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@tamething1]

The closed captions think the tapping is "applause" 😄

[@jas6246]

I feel like at 2:06 that is the song EVERY Irish dance teacher uses lol😂. I was thinking the entire time, be her rival one day,

[@mackenzieailes]

ikr

[@sylsalmon4649]

So amazing 👏😍 Superb thanks 😊👍

[@RoyGJones]

It's a beautiful thing

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

Crane Kick (Sweep the leg🤣) 🤎

[@tannhauser7584]

I have just realized that, in addition to tapping their shoes on the floor, they are also clicking their heels together when both feet are off the floor.

[@Feeoryne]

WOW!!! Awesome, I am sure it is hard thing to jump without the help of your arms!!!

[@lubomirkotik8870]

What a beautiful woman she is, inside and out. :-)

[@scoutz0rs]

Solo dresses are so short now! And the white laces on softshoes (and hardshoes) are so so odd. I started Irish dance almost 20 years ago and all this pageantry is really frustrating.

[@mackenzieailes]

*rolls eyes*

[@tiarajones7237]

This is so cool and it also kinda combines tap and pointe

[@hollykibbins996]

I did Irish dance for about 5 years when I was younger and I really loved it. The steps, the music and the competitions were all really fun. The only thing that I never understand was tanning your legs. I stopped dancing when I had just made it to Prizewinner so I never had to tan my legs but my mom and I both found it to be pointless and stupid and pageant-y. The rest of it was awesome, though.

[@Fuzzipiffen]

Her crip walk would be brazeeeeeeeey 🤣

[@copelandart]

The way she floats reminds me of Jean Butler!

[@robintraina217]

thank you

[@tikitiki7610]

WOW!!!! AMAZING! THANK YOU

[@Bearwoman2024]

Watching from Canada 🇨🇦. 👏👏

[@kenishahammond3935]

This is just awesome!

[@capie44]

Riverdance is NOT about the dance or dancers. It's about how fast the director can change camera angles.

[@weeardguy]

Yes! Really! I like the Live from New York version the best (as that one still had Jean in it) but the many camera-angles (and especially the bad off-beat editing) just don't do it justice. But ah well, anything better than the compilation they featured on one of the DVD's, with a mix from the New York version, the Geneva and China version. That could have been a winner, but you get the feeling they let 'just someone' take care of the editing and the result is just piss-poor.

[@shonasmullen5661]

I do irish dancing and i love it

[@mawg7598]

Beautiful! God bless you.