Dance club remembers the late Bernie 10 years after her death

Dance club remembers the late Bernie 10 years after her death

6 March 2019

IT was a celebration tinged with great sadness as well as joy as Ardglass dance teacher Jenna Finnegan marked 10 years of running her dance club at the weekend.

As 120 people from England and all over Northern Ireland descended at the Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle, to mark the anniversary of Just Dance, their thoughts turned to its founder member, the late Bernie Finnegan.

Jenna described her mother — a popular youth leader in Ardglass, who died at the age of 53 from a sudden brain haemorrhage in August, 2012 — as “a real legend.”

The mother-of-six was fondly remembered during the evening as people danced and sang to her favourite song, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best.

Jenna said: “It was a very emotional evening and we couldn’t have held it without honouring mummy as she was the driving force behind the club. I honestly can’t believe that we made it to 10 years. When mummy died, we really didn’t know if we could make it without her.”

Mrs Finnegan was known for her work as a leader in Ardglass Youth Club and it was under the auspices of the club that she and Jenna started Just Dance.

With the help of local dance mums Caroline O’Shea, Michelle Teggart and Michelle Tiger, Jenna made sure that the show went on as she saw the group going from success to success over the years.

The 23 year-old is now a full-time professional dance teacher who teaches 70 dancers at her club’s weekly classes, while she also teaches all forms of dance to pupils in 15 schools across the district.

A mostly self-taught dancer, the former Saintfield High student went on to achieve a HND in Performing Arts and Dance. 

She was set to launch her own professional career as a dancer until she sustained a severe neck injury while dancing in 2015.

But Jenna maintained her positivity and launched herself into becoming the best dancer teacher she could possibly be.She specialises in all forms of modern dance, such as Latin, ballroom, hip-hop, street and commercial. 

A former Irish and European champion, she now teaches World, European, Ulster and Irish champions.

“2019 is really going to be our year,” said Jenna. “Despite the setback of the purchase of our own premises falling through, we are still looking to find the perfect property to open up our own dance studio as our dance club really is the heart of Ardglass and what puts it on the map.”

Aside from taking the dancers in August to the world championships in Blackpool — the Mecca of dance — Just Dance and Jenna are hosting their first ever dance competitions at the Quoile Bar and Bistro, Downpatrick, on May 12. 

To find out more about Just Dance ring Jenna on 07926 236457, or email jennafinnegandance@outlook.com. Also look out for Jenna Finnegan Dance Company on Instagram and Facebook.