Ross Irish Dance School Students Compete in World Championships

A group of dancers from a Ross school recently competed against thousands of the world's best in the annual World Irish Dancing Championships, also known as the Olympics of Irish dance.

According to the Tribune Review, six students from Bell School of Irish Dance in Ross Township qualified in regional and national competitions to dance on the international stage as part of the eight-day championships held in Boston. The competition wrapped up on Sunday, March 31.

Although they did not win, area dancers who qualified include: Tom Stewart, 19, of Crafton; Kelsey Dolan, 17, of Friendship; Samantha Eckstein, 17, of Adams Township; Grace Eichenlaub, 16, of Pine Township; Aaron Wolf, 14, of Cranberry Township; and Abby Bradley, 10, of Pine.

Julia Bell of Marshall Township is the owner and teacher at the Bell School of Irish Dance, located at 7910 Perry Highway. She planned to travel to Boston to support her students, the Trib said. 

This year's dancers made up the largest group from the Bell school to qualify and compete since the school opened in September 1999, the Trib said.

The school has sent at least one student to the World Irish Dancing Championships since 2001.

Now in its 43rd year, more than 6,000 from around the world descended on Boston to compete in the championships, previously held outside of Ireland or Scotland only once, according to Boston.com.

Irish step dancing gained popularity through the theatrical Riverdance show and the Lord of the Dance musical. Dancers typically keep their upper bodies stiff while performing quick and precise leg and footwork.

The championships bring together the highest-level Irish dancers, who often wear ornate costumes, makeup, signature curled wigs and spray tanning to enhance their look.

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