About our Trip

From August 17 - 25, the O'Grady Quinlan students danced and sang their way across the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico as part of "Step Fiesta 2005", the Academy's first-ever International Tour. The combined cultural exchange and performance trip kicked-off in Merida, a beautiful Spanish colonial city and capital of the State of Yucatan, where the dancers were featured performers at the Merida outdoor cultural festival. The event was held on a stunning stage in the city’s historic main plaza against the backdrop of the oldest Cathedral in the Americas, and covered on live television as well as by all major media outlets (see below for translated articles!). Other performances on the trip included at the U.S. Consulate in Merida and Pat O'Brien's Restaurant in Cancun. As a gesture of goodwill and friendship, the dancers also performed at a retirement home, orphanage and even a Mayan village, distributing school suppplies to children along the way. These items were donated by Academy students and families via a "blessing box" campaign at dance classes in the weeks leading up to the trip. Live music during the trip was provided thanks to the talents of "Gillie's Hedge", featuring Tom and Alison Gillespie as well as daughters Fiona, Abigail and Genevieve. Congratulations to all dancers, musicians and singers on a successful -- and very fun -- first international tour!!