Robin Rackerby (Photo Courtesy of Robin Rackerby)
By Ana Fonseca, Staff Writer fonsecaa16@up.edu
Robin Rackerby went to a live Riverdance performance with her mom when she was three, and Branwen Shaub had a Riverdance VHS tape she would play over and over again growing up. Each little girl, in awe of the colorful costumes and the quick steps of Irish dancers, was inspired to try Irish dance for herself.
Sophomore mechanical engineering major Rackerby has been dancing for 15 years, and freshman mathematics major Schaub has been dancing for 10.
They met through mutual dance friends and practices at UP. Now, they coordinate schedules and try to practice together as often as they can. Both have worked hard to master the precise combination of technique, agility and athletic ability that is Irish dance.
"It's like, basically sprinting with perfect technique for a minute," Schaub said.
Schaub has lost track of how many medals and trophies she has received. Her team took third place at the Western Region Oireachtas (Regionals). Schaub is a preliminary champion and needs to place twice more before competing solo at the highest level, Open Championships.
Rackerby competes in Open Championships, and her goal is to qualify for World Championships. Last year, she placed tenth at regionals in Seattle.
"I didn't actually hear the recalls. I think I was buying a sandwich or something stupid, and my friend comes over and she's like, 'Robin, you recalled,' and I was like, 'No I didn't,'" Rackerby said.
Despite their many achievements, Schaub and Rackerby said Irish dance is about more than just winning.
Irish dance has helped bring Rackerby out of her shell.
"Normally, I'm a super shy person, but when I get on stage with my dress and my make-up, I don't know, it sounds really cliché, but it's almost like flying," Rackerby said.
Rackerby has gained confidence and a strong work ethic from Irish dance.
Schaub's mother Angela, has seen how dancing has helped her daughter develop.
"Irish dance has helped shape her into a better team player, classmate and student mentor," Angela Schaub said.
Although Schaub likes competing, she said that dance has a greater emotional significance in her life.
"It makes me feel like I've got purpose," Schaub said. "It's my way of getting in touch with myself and feeling complete."
Schaub and Rackerby said Irish dancing has been a sacrifice, but the benefits have well exceeded the costs.
"I never went to prom because I was competing, and I basically had no social life senior year, so it's my life," Schaub said. "In a way it's kind of like being in a relationship. I mean, it's true when they say dance is the other half of you. It's a big sacrifice but it's worth it."
Schaub said that although dance puts her in touch with her artistic side, Irish dance seems to attract science and math majors.
"It's more analytical, you break steps down and you work them," Schaub said, "It's about perfection, kind of similar to science in that manner."
Irish dance is also unique because it is specific to a culture.
Rackerby is half-Irish. Schaub is mostly Welsh and only a little Irish. "Not enough to make it count," she said.
Even though having an Irish background is not essential to Irish dance, representing the Irish spirit plays an important role in the experience for Schaub.
"I like belonging to something unique and so culturally intense," Schaub said. "I really feel like I'm representing a country and that heritage when I'm dancing."
