Devan Ballagh’s feet have been moving for as long as she can remember, which is no wonder based on the intricate rhythms and sounds that she creates. After studying under the tutelage of her mom, Janice Ballagh, Devan’s passion for Ottawa Valley Stepdance had been ignited. At the age of ten, she began taking lessons from the acclaimed Tiffany Fewster, a Canadian Open Stepdance Champion, in Woodstock. The hours of lessons and practice paid off when Devan’s performance career took off in 2002, with the Drayton Entertainment production of “Canadian Loonie”. In this play, Devan joined with her brother Michael, and sister Paige to form “The Ballagh Bunch”. They were the featured stepdancers in the play which ran for eight weeks, with eight shows a week.
After the summer of performing, Devan started teaching alongside her mom, at their home studio "Jan's Danceshop". Her original and progressive choreography and step composition are revered and have been greatly acclaimed by multiple adjudicators, competitors and fellow performers.
From 2002 on, the Ballagh Bunch started to grow in both their dancing and their musicality. The youngest brother, Matthew, joined the group. All four kids began taking fiddle lessons from Scott Woods and Kendra Norris (Woods), and focused on competing at various Stepdance and Fiddle Competitions throughout Ontario. They then began studying fiddle under the tutelage of Karen Reed, from Kitchener ON.
DEVAN BALLAGH
BIOGRAPHY
As the family travelled across Ontario competing, Devan received multiple titles during her time as a competitor, some of which include; Open Dance Champion at the Canadian Open Stepdance Championships, and Open Group Champions at the Canadian Open Stepdance Championships.
Devan has since been performing with her family as “The Ballagh Bunch”, where her feet, fiddle, vocal. and piano skills shine with the family blend. Her unique voice fuses seamlessly with her sister Paige, and their individual strengths allow them to display their matchless talents. The group captures and effortlessly portrays the essence of their tight bond. This group is sure to dazzle audiences again and again.
Some past performance highlights include;
Miami Fun and Fiddle Contest, Miami MB (2003)
Newmarket Fiddle and Stepdance Contest Showcase, Newmarket ON (2005, 2006)
Canadian Loonie - Drayton Entertainment, St. Jacobs (2002)
Sorry, I'm Canadian - Drayton Entertainment, Drayton (2006)
Sorry, I'm Canadian - Drayton Entertainment, Drayton & Penetanguishene (2008)
Sorry, I'm Canadian - Drayton Entertainment, Cambridge & Grand Bend (2013)
North Metro Sweet Adelines - Living Arts Centre, Mississauga ON (2007)
KINSA - Ontario Science Centre, Toronto (2007)
Govan Fiddle Contest, Govan SK (2009)
Celtfest, Naniamo BC (2009)
Teeswater Old Boys Reunion, Teeswater ON (2009)
Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto ON (2009. 2010, 2011, 2012)
Bracebridge Fair, Bracebridge ON (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
St. Thomas Barbershop Show, St. Thomas ON
Walt Disney World, Orlando FL (2010)
Accapella Showcase "Harmony Incorporated" - Milton Centre for the Arts, Milton ON (2013)
Devan is currently featured as a dancer, fiddler, and singer with Karen Reed and Crossbow. This band has unmatched energy and synergy. Their thoughtful arrangements and individual abilities bring great amounts of enjoyment to audiences all across Ontario.
In addition to performing, Devan continues to teach at "Jan's Danceshop", and also as a freelance dance teacher in Toronto and surrounding areas. She is currently offering Skype and video lessons to allow individuals from all across North America to have the access to Ottawa Valley Step Dance lessons.
In 2012, Devan was awarded a grant from the government, which allowed her to start her own business “Dynamics Dance and Fitness Studio”. She offered dance, fiddle, and piano lessons in addition to personal training and group fitness classes at the studio. In the spring of 2013, Devan graduated at the top of her class from Fitness and Health Promotion, making it onto the presidents honour roll, and consequently offered many job opportunities from the same school. Since then, she has moved to Toronto to pursue a career in performance, and has launched a new fitness venture: Online Personal Training and Lifestyle Coaching. She is passionate about bringing people to dance and music, as well as improving people’s lives with fitness and healthy living.
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