About

Created by Herbert W. Armstrong College and Armstrong Dance, with original new music from Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne (Heartbeat of Home), Celtic Throne celebrates the dramatic and mysterious origins of Irish dance. Infused with innovative choreography, dazzling costumes and spectacular lighting and projection, Celtic Throne follows the millennia-long journey of a music-and-dance-loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States.

The Story

Origins

The king loved to dance; so did his people. This is a nation of dancers.

Farewell

A long ocean journey takes the people to a mysterious new land: Éire (Ireland).

Festival

In ancient Ireland, the people gather annually on the Hill of Tara for the feis, a weeklong festival of music, dance and sport.

Highlanders

Ensconced in the majestic Scottish Highlands, the nation thrives.

Empire

God, king and country

Gale

Crisis strikes.

Pioneers

A new chapter in the new land—America!

Resurgence

The peak

Conflict

A period of trial and tribulation; darkness before the dawn

Utopia

The new and wonderful world; unprecedented in peace, prosperity and beauty

Armstrong Dance

Jude Flurry

Male Lead

Jude Flurry started dancing at age 6 in Edmond, Oklahoma. He trained under Kristin Butke and Joni Muggivan for six years, winning four southern regional titles and placing second at the North American Nationals.

In January 2015, Jude moved with his family to the UK and trained at the esteemed Carey Academy of Irish Dance in Birmingham for 5½ years. Jude has competed in all the major Irish Dance competitions, where he has routinely placed in the top five. In 2016, he placed third at the World Irish Dance Championships, and in 2018 he came fifth.

Jude recently graduated Imperial Academy (high school) and began attending Herbert W. Armstrong College this fall. Beyond dance, he is an accomplished pianist, avid reader and keen sportsman.

Dancers

The Armstrong Dance troupe is comprised of over 30 Irish dancers from around the world, including Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States, ranging in age from 22 to just 4 years old. The troupe is comprised of students from the Carey Academy in England and the Maguire Academy in America, some of whom have competed with great success in top Irish dance competitions, including Worlds, All Irelands, Great Britain and North American Nationals.

Ages 12 & Under

Emily Saranga, Brooklyn Williams, Sage Macdonald, Ewan Macdonald, Eva Macdonald, Charlotte Wainwright, Emery Vejil, Ezra Vejil, Tephi Vejil, Alexis Vejil, Ava Falk, Jessica Goddard, Nora Nice, Esther Nice, Laila Chibarirwe

Ages 13-17

Arianna Saranga, Ellie Hilliker, Noah Hilliker, Caitlin Heerma, Tara Hyde, Zach Williams, Aaron Eagle, Victoria Locher, Jacqueline Locher, Talon Kaleho, Savannah Macdonald, Isaac Macdonald, Lara Macdonald, Ava Schultz, Hailey Sander

Ages 18+

Alexa Turgeon, Vienna Flurry, Leah Hyde, Jordan Saranga, Jude Flurry, Zoe Hilliker, Ashlynn McLain, Erica Anderson, Hannah Worrell

Production

Executive Producer

Gerald Flurry

Producer

Stephen Flurry

Directors

Brad Macdonald, Amy Flurry

Assistant Director

Paris Turgeon

Music Adviser

Ryan Malone

Live Musicians

Ryan Malone, Paula Malone, Ezekiel Malone, Skye Malone, Joel Hilliker, Mark Jenkins, Steve Hercus

Art / Graphics

Steve Hercus, Reese Zoellner, Julia Goddard, Elias Noe, Emma Moore

Lighting

Bailey Crawford

Video

Andrew Locher, Dwight Falk

Music Engineer

Benjamin Tauer

Marketing / Advertising

Shane Granger

Costumes

Deborah Heerma, Michelle Hilliker, Rachel Hyde, Laura Turgeon

Stage

Douglas Culpepper

Choreography

Vienna Flurry, Jude Flurry, Alexa Turgeon