McAleer Irish Dance School

💙CONGRATULATIONS EMILY💙

We are incredibly proud to share that Emily Harper is the inaugural recipient of the Geraldine O’Shea-Ryan Memorial Trophy, presented by AIDA Victoria.

This special award was established to honour Geraldine’s legacy by recognising a member of our Irish dancing community who demonstrates the qualities of dedication, persistence, patience and perseverance, together with a genuine love of Irish dance and culture.
Emily, along with fabulous nominees from across Victoria were recognsied at this years 2026 Victorian Championship. Well done to everyone.

Emily began Irish dancing at two years of age, and for the past 12 years she has approached her dancing journey with determination, patience and an unwavering love for what she does.

Emily's journey has not been easy. She has faced challenges, but she has never given up.

She has continued to turn up, work hard, trust the process and celebrate the successes of those around her. She has been one of her teammates' greatest cheerleaders, always supporting and encouraging others while patiently working towards her own goals.

And Emily's contribution to our dancing community extends well beyond her own dancing.

This year, Emily asked if she could volunteer with our younger dancers on Saturday mornings. Each week she arrives early to help prepare the studio, welcomes our youngest dancers with a smile and shares her love of Irish dancing with the next generation.

Her kindness, patience and calm nature make her a wonderful role model for our younger students, and we know this is only the beginning of what Emily will contribute to Irish dancing in the years ahead.

What makes Emily particularly special is that her love of dancing has never been defined by trophies, placings or recognition.

She loves Irish Dancing.
She loves the journey.
She loves her teammates.
She loves being part of our community.
And that makes this recognition all the more special.

Emily, we could not be prouder of you.

To be the inaugural winner of the Geraldine O’Shea-Ryan Memorial Trophy is an incredible honour and one that reflects the beautiful young person you have become.

Congratulations, Emily. This one is so very well deserved.

💙🖤💙

🏆 OUR 2026 STATE SOLO CHAMPIONS & TRADITIONAL SET SHIELD WINNERS 🛡️

Congratulations!
Enjoy this very special achievement

❤️🖤CHIARA
💜🤍ISABELLE
💙💛DANIEL
🩷❤️SIENNA
💜🤍THERESA 🛡️
💙💛HENRY
🧡🩷HANNAH 🛡️
❤️🩷SAFFRON
🤍❤️EVIE 🛡️
🖤💛OLIVIA
🤍🖤MAEVE

Hélène Kelly
Roxanne Mary
Arlene Murphy
Bec Vipond
Natalie Gunnery
Evie McPhee
Liv
Maeve Wilkinson

We are all very proud of you 💙🖤💙

SHE’S BACK!

So wonderful to have Alyssa Hall back on stage, doing what she does best!

Two teams. Two wins. 🏆🏆

We are so proud of Alyssa and absolutely loved seeing her back out there with her teammates. We can’t wait to see you take the stage again at the 2026 National Championships!

And a special shout-out to Megan — we can’t wait to welcome you back to our team classes when the time is right. 💙

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS! 💙🏆

We are so proud of Daniel and Henry!

2026 Victorian State Solo Champions once again, and both playing a key role across multiple team age groups throughout the State Championship.

Well done, boys! Keep working hard — we are so proud of you both! 💙

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SOLO DANCERS 🏆

22 & OVER CHAMPIONSHIP

🥈 RUNNER-UP SENIOR LADIES — SARAH

From Sub-Minor to Senior Lady, Sarah, you have been an absolute joy to teach and to have as part of McAleer Dance School.

We are so proud of you for taking to the State Championship stage after only just returning from tour. A fantastic result in a beautiful section and another special State Championship to add to your dancing journey. 🩵🖤

We can’t wait to see you back on stage at the 2026 National Championships! 🇦🇺✨

A very special congratulations to all the dancers who were recognised with their Sub-Minor to Senior Award.

To have continued your Irish dancing journey from your earliest competitive years through to Senior Ladies is a wonderful achievement and a testament to your dedication and love of Irish dance.

You are a credit to your schools, your families and, most importantly, yourselves.

Congratulations to you all — and congratulations, Sarah! 🏆🩵🖤

Sarah O'Hara

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SOLO DANCERS 🏆

19 YEARS CHAMPIONSHIP

🥇 STATE CHAMPION — MAEVE WILKINSON

Congratulations, Maeve, on your State Championship win in a small but incredibly talent-packed section!

Maeve, you have faced a very challenging year, and we are so proud of the strength and resilience you have shown throughout it all.

Through everything, you have continued to focus on your dancing while also being there for your mum and your family. Your commitment, strength and determination have been wonderful to see.

Keep doing what you do, Maeve. Keep dancing, keep working hard and know that we are all right beside you and have your back every step of the way.

Enjoy this one — you deserve to be proud!

STATE CHAMPION! 🏆

Now, bring on Nationals! 🇦🇺✨

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SOLO DANCERS 🏆

18 YEARS CHAMPIONSHIP

🥇 STATE CHAMPION — OLIVIA
🥉 3RD PLACE — KAITLYN
✨ 4TH PLACE — ALYSON
✨ 5TH PLACE — CAOIMHE

Congratulations, girls — another State Championship in the books! 🩵🖤

We are incredibly proud of you all as you navigate the challenges of your first year of university alongside your commitment to dancing. It isn’t always easy to balance everything, and the dedication you continue to show both on and off the dance floor is something to be proud of.

A special mention to Μαγδαληνή🧿 , who unfortunately injured herself in the final days leading into the Championship and made the difficult but sensible decision to focus on her recovery in preparation for Nationals.

Keep recovering, Maddie. We missed having you on the State Championship stage and can’t wait to see you back up there!

Keep working hard, keep supporting one another and keep dancing.

17 YEARS CHAMPIONSHIP

✨ 4TH PLACE — INDIANA 🌏

Congratulations to our final VCE student, Indiana, on a fantastic 4th place!

Indiana has done a wonderful job balancing the demands of VCE and her dancing, and we are incredibly proud of the commitment and determination she continues to show.

Keep working hard, Indiana, and keep pushing towards your goals. We are so proud of you! ✨

A special shout-out to Emily, who was unfortunately unable to compete at the State Championship due to injury.

Keep resting, recovering and looking after yourself, Emily. We missed seeing you on the Championship stage and can’t wait to have you back on the studio floor very soon!

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SOLO DANCERS 🏆

16 YEARS CHAMPIONSHIP

🥇 STATE CHAMPION — EVIE 🌏
🥉 3RD PLACE — EMMA 🌏
✨ 4TH PLACE — TAYLOR 🌏

We are so proud of you all. Your commitment to your dancing while balancing the demands of VCE is to be commended. The dedication, hard work and perseverance you continue to show is reflected in these fantastic results.

A very special shout-out to Lyla May who managed to take to the stage and dance her Jig and Slip Jig before making the difficult decision to withdraw due to illness. Unfortunately, Lyla also had to miss the team events on Sunday as she continues to recover.

Your health comes first, Lyla. Rest up, recover and get ready for the next one…

ADELAIDE, HERE WE COME! 🇦🇺✨

Congratulations to all four girls. We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see what comes next! 🏆🩵🖤

15 YEARS CHAMPIONSHIP

🥈 RUNNER-UP — CLIONA 🌏

Congratulations, Cliona, on a fantastic result!

It was so wonderful to see you back on the State Championship stage, doing what you love and achieving such a great result.

We are incredibly proud of your dancing whilst balancing the demands of VCE. It takes dedication, organisation and determination to manage both, and you should be very proud of yourself.

Keep working hard, Cliona — we can’t wait to see you take the stage again at the 2026 National Championships!