MEAGHAN BRADEN AND Madelyn Susank, sisters with Irish heritage on both sides, have traveled the world competing in Irish step dancing.
Los Angeles transplants who now call St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Balboa Island and St. John the Baptist Parish in Costa Mesa home, the sisters have practiced and competed all their lives. Now, they’re teaching the next generation of Irish step dancers.
SISTERS MADELYN SUSANK AND MEAGHAN BRADEN HAVE BEEN DANCING AND COMPETING IN IRISH STEP DANCING SINCE THEY WERE LITTLE GIRLS. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEAGHAN BRADEN
“Irish dance is very unique,” Braden said. “Madelyn and I love that we have been fortunate enough to partake in this amazing sport. We can’t wait to continue to teach other children and spread our love for this, especially God willing, with our own children one day.”
The two sisters grew up attending school and Mass at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge. Braden, the older sister, started dancing when she was 6 at the Cleary Irish Dance School. She’s been with Cleary ever since.
The idea came from her godmother.
“We have Irish heritage from both parents — and my name is spelled the Irish way — so it seemed like a no-brainer!” she said.
Little sister Susank joined her big sister four years later when she was 5. “I grew up watching Meaghan compete and went to dance competitions to support her,” Susank said. “From a young age, all I remember is wanting to do what she did.”
Irish step dancing is a competitive sport with individual and team competitions. Both Susank and Braden love competing, especially in teams. Susank has competed across the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Scotland; she holds multiple world medals as well as national and regional titles.
“I remember my first big competition in Phoenix when I was around 6 years old and the first time I did a team with seven other little girls,” Susank said. “It was so fun. We wore these cute purple pinafore dresses with a white blouse and a purple bow. Since that moment, I always looked forward to team class and team day at competitions, no matter the size.”
Both women said they have made lifelong friendships through the sport. Susank said the experience has created a unique bond with her teammates and teachers, and she feels like Cleary Irish Dance School is one big family. Susank is still competing while working on her teaching credential, Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha (TCRG), which will allow her to teach Irish step dancing. Braden earned her TCRG four years ago and teaches at an Orange County after-school program.
Since they were little girls, the sisters have spent each March performing at schools, basketball games, bars and senior-living facilities, with St. Patrick’s Day spent shuttling from show to show. Although the sisters have slowed down on St. Patrick’s Day as they get older, they still celebrate with a special meal they always eat: corned beef, cabbage, beef stew (or shepherd’s pie) and soda bread.