– Thea Kinley, Lead Dancer
Thea is our elite dancer and a member of Kathryn Stewart’s Highland Dancers, from Loughbrickland. Thea has been dancing from a very young age and started competing at the age of 12. Born and raised in Moneyslane, Northern Ireland, Thea joined The Force team in 2024, which is the same year she took first overall at Loughbrickland Highland Dance Competition.
Find out more about Thea via the questions and answers below:
Question #1
Question: How long have you been a Highland Dancer for?
Answer: I have been dancing since a young age and started competing at the age of 12.
Question #2
Question: What are your Dancing achievements to date?
Answer: I have obtained 2x first overall titles and 2x second overall titles to date.
Prior to that and in my first year competing, I obtained fourth overall with one third, two fourths and a fifth.
Question #3
Question: Favourite memory on/off the park?
Answer:
On the Park: One of my favourite memory’s would definitely have to be winning my first place overall in 2024 at Loughbrickland Highland Dance Competition. I felt so much pride and confidence in myself.
Off the Park: Off stage a favourite memory would have to be The Red Hot Chilli Piper’s Concert in Edinburgh in 2026 – it was unreal! Seeing the team come out on stage gives me so much pride to say I’m apart of this Group.
Question #4
Question: What inspires you most?
Answer: The way dancing brings people together and helps me grow as a person. One of my biggest inspirations was when Paula asked me to join the team, because it made me feel proud of how far I had come and gave me more confidence in my ability.
My friendships through dancing also inspire me because my friends support and encourage me, and we create fun memories together while helping each other improve.
My parents are another huge inspiration because they always support me through practices, competitions, and performances, and their belief in me motivates me to work hard and do my best.
I am also inspired by seeing other dancers achieve success because it encourages me to keep improving and reminds me that dedication and hard work can lead to amazing opportunities.
Question #5
Question: What does your hobby do for you?
Answer: Dance does a lot more than just fill my free time and helps me in many different ways. It provides me opportunities through performances, competitions, and events where I can meet new people and experience new environments.
Dance also keeps me fit by improving my strength whilst allowing me to stay active in a fun way. At the same time, it gives me something to work on because there are always new routines, techniques, and skills to improve, which teaches me discipline and determination.
Dance allows me to express myself creatively and helps build my confidence, making it an important part of my life.
Question #6
Question: Words of inspiration you have never forgotten? If you have forgotten, some words of your own?
Answer: Two of my fav which have stuck with me:
- The future you is watching what you do today
- Small steps still move forward
Question #7
Question: Favourite International gig that you have been to and performed?
Answer: Since joining The Force, I have been fortunate to have had so many opportunities, but my favourite gig was definitely in Glasgow for Piping Live! 2025.
This was my first time away with the team and I had a blast. I got to perform alongside my best friends with ‘take my hand’, a routine which has created a bond that’ll last forever.
Question #8
Question: Where would you like to perform?
Answer: New York or Australia 