Dancing into the national spotlight

09/18/2014 4:19 PM

By Kelly O’Brien ‘15

Caroline Maddalozzo ’16 commits herself to excellence in the classroom, whether she’s on the Hilltop studying Communication – public relations or atop a stage practicing an Irish dance routine.  A dancer for 13 years, she has trained most her life to compete at the highest level. Maddalozzo studied at the nationally recognized Mayer School of Irish Dance in Villa Park, Illinois.  In July she not only competed in the North American Nationals in Montreal, Canada, but she succeeded. 

She felt good after completing her two dances in the competition, but nothing could prepare her for hearing her number announced among those who placed in the top half and would be included in the award ceremony.

“Hours went by as they tabulated everyone’s scores, and I swear you could hear a pin drop in the room,” she said.  “Then they called number 183, which was mine.  I started to cry.  Finally, after years of frustration, my work paid off.”

Competing against elite dancers in North America and from overseas, the Glenview, Illinois, native beat her nerves to perform at her best.  Maddalozzo owes her success to the inspiration provided by her parents.

“My mom is one of my biggest supporters,” she said.  “When there’s a day I don’t want to practice, I think of how amazing it would be to run up to my mom again like I did [after placing] at Nationals.” 

Maddalozzo also credits her Bradley family for allowing her to achieve at school and on stage

“My sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, has also helped me so much by always encouraging me and motivating me,” she said.  “My teachers have also been amazing.  They are so understanding and want me to reach my goals in Irish dancing.”

Maddalozzo’s current dancing goals are to qualify for the Irish dance equivalent of the Olympics, the World Championships, and to compete all over the globe in places like Great Britain and Scotland.  As she continues her dancing career, she has her late grandfather watching over her, pushing her to pursue her passion for dance.

“As soon as we got home from regionals two years ago, I went to visit my grandfather in hospice, and he told me that he knows I am capable of anything I put my mind to,” she said.  “He passed away a couple days later, so now I always think of what he said as a reminder that I can achieve my dreams in dance.”

When she looks out into the crowd during a dance, she knows her grandfather is with her.

“I pretend he is always sitting in the front row, and I tell myself to make sure he can hear me in heaven because sound affects your score.”

Even when Maddalozzo’s competitive days are over, she hopes Irish dance remains part of her life.  In addition to classes at Bradley, she is studying to become a certified Irish dance teacher.  She plans on taking the steps to judge competitive dances and hopes to utilize her Bradley education to help run major Irish dance competitions .

“I’ve always  loved Irish dancing,” she said.  “I honestly couldn’t imagine a day without dance in my life.”