A group of dancers known as the Irun Bru Crew celebrated a significant victory at the IDTA Nationwide Street Dance Finals held in Blackpool on March 12, 2026. The ensemble, composed of eleven women aged between 35 and 70 from the Grantown-based JM Dance, secured first place in the overall crew dance competition for participants aged 36 and over. The event attracted hundreds of competitors to the popular seaside resort.
The crew showcased their winning routine, a creative ‘divas mash-up,’ choreographed by their dance school leader, James Montgomery. The performance featured a medley of iconic tracks from artists such as Beyoncé, Cher, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, with the soundtrack produced by Montgomery’s friend, Floyd Konde.
The dancers expressed their delight at the achievement, particularly after competing against notable rivals, including the finalists Lush and Bad Formation. Tracy Dalgleish, a member of the crew, reflected on her journey, stating, “For me, it was a dream come true. As a child, doing something like this was a total dream and something I never thought I’d get the chance to do. Now, having achieved this as an adult, is amazing.”
Dalgleish emphasized the joy dancing has brought to her life, helping her forge friendships and maintain fitness. She added, “The competition itself was a long day, but it was worth every second. The crew came together and smashed it. We’ve made memories for life.”
Another dancer, LJ Fishpool, credited Montgomery with their success. “So much of that has been down to James. Watching his creative process unfold has been truly amazing,” she noted. Fishpool remarked on Montgomery’s ability to harness the crew’s diverse personalities and transform their energy into a lively performance. “James led us to feel like champion divas—not because we won, but because he encouraged us to be brave,” she explained.
The emotional journey of the dancers extended beyond the competition. Fishpool expressed gratitude for the friendships and creativity cultivated during their time together. “This journey to Blackpool has been about far more than dance. It has been about friendships, creativity, laughter, and having something uplifting to focus on when life felt heavy.”
Elizabeth Toon from Nethy Bridge echoed similar sentiments. She described her experience with the Irun Bru Crew as transformative, stating, “Winning the crew dance competition was fantastic, but the friends I’ve made along the way are even more important. I’m looking forward to many more opportunities to dance together.”
For Montgomery, the achievement was a proud moment. “I’m so proud of each and every one of these amazing women. I am absolutely blown away. It has been an incredible experience! Getting up on that floor and representing Scotland was already an epic achievement for us,” he declared. The crew’s success also included several individual accolades, with some members advancing to the semi-finals in various solo categories.
Throughout the year, the dancers had been refining their routines during weekly classes at Inverallan Church Hall in Grantown, supplemented by additional practice sessions outside of scheduled lessons. The group had embraced various dance styles over the past three years, including ballroom and salsa, before taking on street dancing at JM Dance.
Suman Sharma-Mulgrew, a guidance teacher at Kingussie High School and a team member, noted the crew’s commitment to stepping outside their comfort zones. After the competition, she expressed how they exceeded her expectations on every level.
Street dancing encompasses a variety of styles, ranging from voguing to commercial hip hop, and has gained popularity for its energetic and expressive nature. Montgomery, who has previously served as a judge at the International Dance Teachers Association contests, encouraged his pupils to participate in the finals, a suggestion they received with enthusiasm.
To celebrate their success, the Irun Bru Crew will showcase their winning routines in a free performance at Grantown Grammar School on March 14, 2026, from 20:15 to 21:15. The event will also include a raffle to support the dancers’ future endeavors. The full results from the IDTA Nationwide Street Dance Finals are available on their official website.
