2010 Grad Touring

Zach Klingenberg, class of  2010, has joined the professional Lord of the Dance troupe and is currently touring internationally with the company. 

Zach, who has performed Irish step dancing since the age of five, qualified again this year for the World Championship of Irish Dance, held in late March in Glasgow, Scotland. He achieved the rank of 14^th in the 17-18 year age group at the 2010 competition, which included 4,500 dancers from 32 countries around the world.  He was ranked 8^th in the 2009 competition.

Beginning the audition process for Lord of the Dance last winter, Zach learned at the end of May that he had gotten the job.  The multi-media precision dance piece based on Irish folklore has been described by the Los Angeles Times as a "show piece extravaganza.”  It was created and is produced by Michael Flatley, who danced in the World Championships of Irish Dance in 1975, also in Glasgow.

Zach is home in Bexley for a few days after completing his first tour that began June 22, 2010 in Taiwan.  He next tours this fall for about six weeks in Europe.  Then it’s on to the United States for ten weeks in the spring.

“There is no specific length for my contract, though I would like to continue touring for a full year and then see what my options are in terms of going to a university or staying with Lord of the Dance,” said Zach.

The young dancer previously served as assistant teacher at the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance in Dublin, Ohio.