About Damien Doherty
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Damien began dancing for his grandmother, Ita Cadwell, at 4 years of age in Dublin, Ireland, continuing the family tradition of dancing. The Cadwell name is synonymous with Irish Dancing, with 5 sisters becoming Teachers, but his grandmothers crowning glory was both being choreographer for David Leans classic Ryan's Daughter, as well as organizing a complete program and choreographing for the Papal Nuncio gathering in the Mansion House Dublin.
With this excellent grounding and strong cultural and musical background behind him, Damien took a couple of years out from dance to concentrate on his eduction, and sports, that almost led to a potential football career. However, when residing in the US, he returned to dance initially with the Smith-Houlihan Academy in Boston U.S.A. and then the famous O'Shea School of Irish Dancing Dublin, Ireland.
Damien competed at the very highest level in Irish dancing winning many titles along the way, including many regional and local titles. His highlights include winning multiple World and All-Ireland titles in team events and top 4 finishes, as an individual performer, in the prestigious solo events at the very same championships. He had an exceptional competitive record, in Irish Dancing, for someone who had taken such a leave of absence during his formative years!
In 1998 Damien was approached by Michael Flatleys 'Lord of the Dance' and became a Professional Dancer where he stayed with the same company for 9 years. Very soon after joining Damien was selected as principle dancer performing the role made famous by Michael himself as the Lord of the Dance.
During his time with the organization, Damien was requested to be Michaels understudy when Michael returned with his 2 outstanding successes "Feet of Flames" and the very modern and dynamic stage production "Celtic tiger". For the entire "Celtic Tiger" production Damien had the responsibility of being 'Dance Captain'! This was a considerable role as he interfaced with management, organized the troupe, 'drilled them' in preparation for the live performances, and addressed all concerns and needs of the performers during travel, rehearsals, and of course the live performances themselves. His highlight during this entire period was performing in front of an audience of over 100,000 people in Budapest, Hungary.
2007, brought a change to Damiens career as he accepted a new challenge and joined up with "Riverdance". He performed with all 3 Riverdance companies and became a very valued member of the Cast, where his experiences in organizing, mediating, and preparing troupes was invaluable, He worked full-time for Riverdance for 3 years but still dances with them occasionally, along with performing for the Riverdance Flying-squad.
Whilst working with Riverdance, Damien developed a great love for "Tap" dancing and began studying under Baltimore Tap dancer Kelly Isaac. He was excited by both the differences as well as similarities the dance form had with Irish Dancing, and he saw an opportunity to utilize both dance forms in a very quaint, amiable and close environment, to enthrall audiences and performers alike. In preparation he has danced and performed with many tap dancers and hoofers all over the world! Now he is close to launching a new and very innovative show that thus far has won the approval of Tap, Irish, and Modern dancers and the shows commercial launch was in December 2010, more information can be found on the 'Cotton Club' page.
Over his career he has danced and performed on many television shows and for many celebrities and dignitaries in over 40 countries and 5 continents. Examples include performing for the 50 world leaders at the 300th Anniversary celebration of St Petersburg, the Red Cross Charity Ball in Monaco on behalf of and in front of Prince Albert, the Kremlin Palace in Moscow for President Vladimir Putin, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II & His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on their State visit to Ireland, as well as at Aras An Uachtarain for President Mary McAleese.