Jonathon Srour wins 2009 Senior championship belt

North American Senior Belt Irish Dance Championship is one the oldest and the most prestigious National Irish dancing competition in North America.

Jonathon Srour’s is a senior year Grove City Ollege studying biology with the interest of possibly becoming a doctor. Since going to school Jonathon rarely competes but dances often, returning to his school occasionally for a class to brush up.

This is Jonathon Srour’s second consecutive year winning the Senior Belt that is comprised of competitors from all over North America, boys and girls, who have won at least 1 open championship in that calendar year.  The annual competition was held at the Etobicoke Feis outside of Toronto, Canada on June 13, 2009.
Inscribed on the belt are the winners of the last 50 years, dating back to1957. Included among the elite dancers is Jonathon’s teacher, Kevin Broesler, ADCRG.  Although Mr. Broesler has produced numerous champions, Jonathon was his first student to win a North American Belt.  Not only once but twice in consecutive years. Jonathon joins a club of only 4 others who have won this competition in 2 consecutive years. Reagan Wick, Roger Casey, Mary Ann Shea, and Colleen Griffith.

Prior to winning the Belt Jonathon placed 6th in the Senior Men at the Irish Dancing World Championships in Philadelphia. Shortly after the World’s He was contacted by management of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance and asked to fill a spot with Troupe 2 that was touring the United States.

It was a complicate decision for the young dancer as he was near completion of his semester studies and had to get permission from the Dean of Grover City College to postpone his final exams so he could engage the tour. Jonathon was granted permission and danced with the troupe through the end of May.

The talent is of the Srour family is not limited to Jontathon. The Irish Blessing is a n Irish band that includes his brother, Joshua, on fiddle and dancing,mother, Cushla, on piano and flute, and father, James on whistles and percussion and Jonathon on flute. The family has qualifying for the All-Ireland Fleadh on each person’s respective instruments in both solo competitions and a trio.  They will compete in Tullamore, County Offaly in August.