Joy Moriarty Dancer Country: Ireland

Biography of Joy Moriarty

Joy Moriarty is a renowned dancer who has been a part of the legendary Irish show, "Riverdance," for almost its entire existence. Born and raised in Ireland, Moriarty began dancing at a young age, like many of her fellow countrymen. Dance is a popular activity in Ireland, with competitions and festivals dedicated to Irish dancing taking place regularly. Those who excel in these competitions often go on to become professional dancers.

Moriarty joined the "Riverdance" troupe 12 years ago, shortly after it was formed. Over the years, she has had countless memorable experiences, performing in shows all over the world. Some of the most unforgettable performances for Moriarty have been in Tokyo and Moscow, as they were her first times dancing in these cities.

As a member of the "Riverdance" troupe, Moriarty is part of a team of 30 dancers from Ireland, 6 from Russia, and 4 musicians. The Russian dancers showcase their national dances during the performances, adding an extra cultural element to the show. The troupe has had incredible success over the years, with statistics showing that 1,500 dancers have participated in the show, wearing out over 15,000 pairs of shoes and 12,000 costumes.

Recently, it has been announced that the current tour of "Riverdance" will be its last. After performing in Germany, Slovenia, France, and Sweden in the upcoming months, the show will come to an end. However, Moriarty is not worried about her future, as she is open to new opportunities. She hopes to continue dancing if she is invited to be a part of an interesting new show. If not, she plans on pursuing a teaching career, sharing her knowledge and passion for Irish dancing with others.

Outside of Irish dancing, Moriarty also appreciates other forms of contemporary dance. She is a fan of Mikhail Baryshnikov and considers him one of the greatest dancers of our time. However, her ultimate idol and creative inspiration is Michael Jackson. She describes him as her "creative impulse" and the best source of inspiration. Moriarty recently watched the film "This Is It" about Jackson in Berlin and was absolutely thrilled by it.

In addition to her successful dance career, Moriarty is known for her romantic involvement with her fellow "Riverdance" troupe members. In fact, there have been approximately 29 weddings among the troupe members throughout the 15 years of "Riverdance." Although Moriarty is not married yet, she hopes to have children who will follow in her footsteps and become dancers themselves.