Staff Spotlight: Christian Cairone TCRG

Name: Christian Cairone TCRG
 
Position: Instructor
 
How long have you been working at SRL?
 
Almost 2 years.
 
Why SRL?
 
I loved the atmosphere that Courtney had created and wanted to be a part of the team.
 
How long have you been dancing?
 
I was a competitive dancer for 20 years, but I've been dancing since I was 3.
Why Irish dance?
 
My older brother saw Riverdance on TV and wanted to start doing it. I went to the first practice and was hooked. My teacher at the time didn't allow for children to dance at 2, so I would go to class and dance in the back of the room doing everything everyone was doing in class. My teacher let me start the following year and I haven't looked back!
 
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? 
 
I always wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals so much growing up.
 
What are you interested in that most people aren’t?
 
Star Wars and culinary arts.
 
What weird food combination do you enjoy?
 
As a chef I love many different flavor combos, but the strangest might just be: a piece of toast with peanut butter, topped with an over-easy egg. (Trust me, you need to try it!)
 
How has dance affected your everyday life?
 
Dance has given me the ability to have friends all around the world that share the same love and passion for Irish dance that I do.
 
What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!)
 
The Azores, which is a subsection of islands off the coast of Portugal.
 
What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of? Why?
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was a story my grandfather would read to me all the time when I was a kid and whenever I watch it I always remember him and the different ways he would tell the story.
 
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 
 
I would love to time travel! 
 
Why do you think people dance?
 
I believe there are many reasons behind why people dance, including because friends or family members did it in the past or currently do it now. But I think that some people dance for the same reason I did: for a way to escape reality from time to time. I remember going to the studio, totally forgetting about the outside world, and just living in the moment that was happening throughout dance class. 
 
What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
 
The best advice I have is this: "Believing in yourself is the first step to achieving greatness."
 
This post is the last in the series (at least for now!) Meet our whole staff: Courtney, Bailey, Codi, Devon (and, of course, Christian, above,) through their Q&As. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

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