Roscommon is celebrating as local dancer Rachel Quinn from Elphin has earned a coveted spot in the Irish National Youth Ballet (INYB), Ireland’s premier youth ballet company. Rachel will represent Roscommon in The Nutcracker, part of INYB’s 30th-anniversary performances this December.
Rachel Quinn, a 6th-year student, trains at the Victoria Walker Dance School in Boyle and has once again shown remarkable commitment, travelling to Dublin every weekend for rehearsals with the Irish National Youth Ballet. She will perform several key roles, including Aunty, Snow Princess, and Flowers, among others—a testament to her dedication and passion for dance.
Lindsay Ashe-Browne, Artistic Director of INYB, praised Rachel’s efforts, saying, “To be selected for INYB, you really need to be among the best dancing talent on the whole island. Our dancers undergo a competitive audition process and are trained to a standard comparable to elite athletes.”
Funded by the Arts Council, INYB provides young dancers with an exceptional platform to train with internationally acclaimed teachers and perform in semi-professional productions. This opportunity offers Rachel a strong foundation for her future in dance, and she joins a long line of INYB members who have gone on to pursue professional ballet careers.
The Roscommon community is encouraged to show their support as Rachel takes the stage at the Samuel Beckett Theatre in December. The Nutcracker will be the highlight of INYB’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, with performances running from Friday, December 6th, to Sunday, December 8th, including matinee and evening shows.
This is a proud moment for Roscommon—a celebration of local talent and the cultural contributions our community brings to the national stage.
