From FGCU to the world stage: one student’s Irish dance journey
- Laurie D. Babcock
- July 31, 2024
- Student success
- Contributors: James Greco, Photography | Christopher Noonan, Video
5 – minute read
When Fort Myers native Meagan Urbanek was 10 years old, she danced onstage in the Florida Gulf Coast University ballroom at a dance competition. Just over a decade later, Michael Flatley of “Riverdance” fame presented Urbanek with the Irish dancing world-championship statue — earned in part thanks to opportunities she took advantage of as an FGCU student.
“It was definitely a full-circle moment,” says the senior in health sciences who graduates in December.
Urbanek’s journey to the world stage began at age 5 when she saw “Riverdance,” a theatrical production that brought global attention to Irish dance and culture. She enrolled in Irish dance classes and traveled around the state with her mom for feis, a term commonly used to refer to Irish dance competitions, as well as regular dance competitions. One of those competitions found her dancing to Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” in the Cohen Student Union ballroom.
“I didn’t know then that I wanted to go to FGCU,” Urbanek says. “But as soon as college was in my head, I always knew I wanted to go to FGCU. I’ve always liked the campus and I loved the culture. Plus, being close to home allowed me to keep dancing because I was still close to my dance studio and my teacher.”
Last March, Urbanek performed a tribute to the Celtic warrior Boudica in her routine at the World Irish Dance Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Afterward, she was named the female world champion of freestyle Irish dancing and was presented with the Michael Flatley Freestyle Dance Award by the internationally renowned dancer. Weighing over 6 pounds and plated in 24-karat gold, the award is affectionately known as the “Flatley Oscar,” Urbanek says.
“My life really revolves around dancing. It’s my passion. When I get up in the morning, that’s what I’m thinking about all day. Everything revolves around dancing.”
Irish dance is known for its rapid leg movements and precise footwork while maintaining a rigid upper body. It consists of several fundamental steps that dancers like Urbanek master over years of practice, like rocks (rhythmic back-and-forth movements on the balls of the feet) and leaps (high jumps combined with intricate mid-air footwork). Her hard shoe choreography also includes treble steps, where her feet strike the floor in rapid succession, and toe stands, which involve balancing on her tiptoes.
The world championships’ freestyle category, introduced in 2023 and sponsored by Michael Flatley, lets dancers get creative, without restrictions to arm or head movements like in traditional Irish dance. This freedom allowed Urbanek’s award-winning, roughly 90-second routine to go beyond the basics. She incorporated warrior-like arm poses, a split and a karate kick.
She practices two to three hours six days per week. As an FGCU student, Urbanek often reserves the dance studio at FGCU’s Arts Complex. In the months leading up to the world championship, it provided the mirrored space she needed to practice her elaborate choreography.
But the opportunities available at FGCU extended beyond campus. Urbanek participated in the Honors College and took advantage of a study abroad program for which she lived in Dublin, Ireland, for two months. This extended her journey at FGCU by an additional semester, but it allowed her to immerse herself in Irish culture and refine her dance skills. Despite the extra time, Urbanek emphasizes that the experience was invaluable, providing her with unique opportunities to grow both academically and personally while living in a country where Irish dance is deeply rooted in the culture.
She kept up with her studies remotely by taking online classes while preparing for the world championship.
“I always wanted to experience living in Ireland, and it was just so cool being able to experience a different country, a different way of life. Training in an area where Irish dance is so big was an amazing experience and really helpful in prepping for the world championships.”
Watching her on that world stage were her parents, Tricia and Bill Urbanek. Her father is an Eagle alum who earned a master’s in health science in 2013.
Following her win, Urbanek’s future looks promising in dance and healthcare. After she graduates this fall, she plans to apply to FGCU’s master of physician assistant studies program. “The goal is to have two careers. I’ll still teach dance and adjudicate competitions, but I’ve always loved the medical field.”
She plans to work in pediatric orthopedics. “I feel like that fits very well with the things I still want to do in dance, but it’s a bit more of a stable career and something I also love doing.”
Urbanek has also started to branch out into professional dance opportunities. She recently toured the Midwest with the “Taste of Ireland” company, performing in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. “I’m starting to juggle both spheres right now and just seeing where it takes me. I’m not ruling out another championship, but for now, I’m exploring professional opportunities as well.”
Reflecting on her achievements and the support from FGCU, Urbanek emphasizes the impact the university had on her journey. “The study abroad program and the flexibility of the health sciences program really made it happen. Being able to train and compete at such high levels wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities I had at FGCU.”