Teelin Irish Dance Team To Perform At St. Patrick's Day Parade

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- On Sunday, Baltimore will host one of its biggest events of the year.

Thousands will line the streets for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

Ron Matz reports on one group that's getting ready to put its best foot forward for the wearing of the green.

The Teelin School of Irish Dance -- feet of precision, learning at an early age.

"My grandparents brought me the DVD of Riverdance when I was three years old," said Katie Ortel, Teelin Dancer from Glenwood. "I watched it and I knew that's what I wanted to do."

It's a burst of energy.

"It's a burst of energy because you're really nervous standing backstage," Saorise Deboy, a Teelin dancer from Frederick, "and then when you get out there it's so much fun."

They'll be cheering these talented dancers Sunday at Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day parade.

"We love Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day parade," said Teelin Director Maureen Berry. "We've done it every year. our school takes up two city blocks. We have 29 girls on our float dancing."

They practice two or three hours a day, five days a week or more.

"It's always a lot of work that goes into it," Rachel Steeley, a Teelin dancer from Woodstock, "but then when you're out there on stage it's all worth it."

Their shows are sell outs.

"I've been dancing eight years," said Emily Galoppo of Crofton. "The show is my favorite part. The rush that you get, you feel like you could dance forever on that stage."

March Madness for these ladies of the dance, some heading to Scotland.

"There's a lot going on for us,' said Berry. "We had a huge show last weekend at the Weinberg in Frederick called Celtic Storm and it was sold out."

Baltimore's 61st annual St. Patrick's Day parade steps off Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Washington Monument.