Friends of Brady Academy
Our Mission
It is the mission of the Friends of Brady Academy Dancers to provide an environment where each dancer and family is nurtured toward a place of physical and emotional well being, and a deeper caring of and responsibility for himself/herself and the culture of Irish dance. The core values of FBAD include: Excellence, Respect, Joy, Acceptance, Kindness, Cooperation and Responsibility.
Friends of Brady Academy is a devoted parent organization established in 2006. This organization strives to assist the Brady Academy in promoting Irish culture through music and dance. The generous support of our friends and families helps to create opportunities to assist Brendan and Julie in their commitment of achieving this goal in the local community, as well as helping the Brady Academy become a strong presence in the Irish Dance Community.
FBAD supports families and dancers of Brady Academy by aiding with the cost of Academy Team attire. To date, “Friends” has donated over $35,000 toward Academy costuming. If you would like to join or make a donation, please fill out the form below. FBAD holds regular meetings, and all are encouraged to attend and get involved. We are always looking for new faces and ideas to help all of our dancers
Claire Walsh Dress/Vest Scholarship
After immigrating to America decades ago, Claire Walsh felt it necessary and important to continue the traditions of her native Ireland. Irish dancing and its music are fundamental parts of Irish history and heritage. Irish dancing involves great pageantry and strength in competition. With its lively tunes, Irish music inspires dancing and revelry. Claire played the fiddle and accordion, and even danced a few steps herself. Claire had enormous respect and admiration for both Irish dancing and Irish music. Together, they gave her great joy. She enjoyed the competitiveness in feising and the camaraderie the dancing community offered. Claire traveled many miles with her children and grandchildren to feisanna.
Claire especially enjoyed the artistry involved in creating the dresses for competition. With precision, she spent many hours hand-sewing dresses for her children, and in her later years, sewing shawls for Brady Academy dancers. A scholarship was established in Claire’s name to honor her love of Ireland and its traditions.
A scholarship will be awarded to a champion boy, a champion girl, and a grades dancer at the Brady Academy class feis.
This year’s written essays should meet the following prompt:
“Share a time when you overcame a challenge in your Irish Step journey. How did you approach the challenge, and how did you grow from the experience?”
Essays are due on or before Saturday, May 31st.
