Irish Dancing World Champion

Caroline Gray

“Never give up on your dream and you might just achieve it”

Caroline Gray is only Under 14 and yet, in Irish Dancing, she has already topped the charts.

In 2006, when Caroline was only 13, she held the titles of All Scotland’s, Great Britains, North American, All Ireland and Yes, World Irish Dancing Champion.  What a year!!

Caroline belongs to the much esteemed and acclaimed McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy in South East England, where her teacher Frances has dedicated much time and effort into producing some of the best Irish Dancers in the world. 

Caroline has been involved in Irish Dancing for almost 9 and a half years, much of her life really, given that she is still only in the under 14 age group, and she can not imagine life without Irish Dancing.  Her journey to the dizzy heights of becoming a World Class Irish Dancer has certainly kept her busy for it has demanded much of her time and energy.  She tells us it has been “An exciting journey but one that did involve a lot of hard work”.

Caroline knows that in order to reach her current high level and, even harder still, to remain there, she has to continue to work extremely hard.  Caroline says, “As my results started to get better, I realised that to stay on top of my game, I had to work even harder than I had ever done before”.

And it’s certainly true, the practise and hard work in Irish Dancing is very demanding and as the Irish Dancers get better, the hard work and practise has to intensify.

Caroline Gray really does work hard.  She goes to Irish Dance class between 3 and 5 times a week depending on what Championship she is striving and practising for and she is gushing with praise and admiration for her teacher Frances and her husband Guy.

“Frances and her Husband, Guy, have been so supportive the whole way and have helped me so much, I couldn’t have done it without them,” She says.

Like all teenagers, Caroline has to find a balance in her life.  She is one of the Best Irish Dancers in the World today but she admits that she has to juggle her Irish Dancing Career with her school work.  Her parents reinforce that “School work comes first” and Caroline understands that to keep doing as much Irish Dancing as she currently does, she has to maintain good grades at school.  This is not always an easy task and most Irish Dancers have to work really hard to sustain a high level in both.  Caroline seems to have it sussed though.  She simply says, “Always do your homework when you get it and don’t leave it until the last minute……..School is very important”.

 So what is it that keeps an Irish Dancer who has already attained a world Title, still interested and motivated?

“My love for dancing” is Caroline’s honest reply.

“I think some of the best things in Irish Dancing are the lovely people I get to meet, the beautiful places I get to go to and also that I have something to do in the evenings so I’m never bored”.

Caroline remembers what it was like when she was just starting out in Competitive Irish dancing and she is keen to encourage those Irish Dancers who are at the beginning of their journey now.

“Always enjoy yourself and if you have a bad result, which happens to all of us, don’t be downhearted, just get up and try again.  And Remember there is no such word as CAN’T”.

These words from the 2006 World Irish Dancing Champion go a long way.

Caroline Gray is enthusiastic, bubbly, hugely talented and dedicated.  She has proved that she is one of the best Irish Dancers in the world and she is proud when she tells us the best piece of advice that was ever given to her.

“Never give up on your dream and you might just achieve it”

These are the words of her mother and Caroline smiles as she has to admit, as usual,

“I guess she was right”

Caroline Gray,

World Irish Dancing Champion 2006