A World of Achievements

A 10-year-old Gahanna girl competes against the best and is named one of the world’s top Irish dancers

By Dan Pearlman

Irish dancing – or dancing in general – does not run in Mila Weitz’s family, but it has become the 10-year-old Gahanna girl’s favorite sport.

Now, she is one of the best in the world, placing 37th for her age group in the 2023 Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (World Irish Dancing Championships), which were held in Montreal.

“It’s a lot of hard work to get where I am,” Weitz said. “You have to be really passionate about it, and most importantly, you have to have fun with it. It was really exciting to realize that all my hard work has really paid off.”

The soon-to-be fifth grader at Jefferson Elementary got her first taste of Irish dancing about six years ago when her mother signed her up for a summer camp focused on Irish dance. The camp eventually ended, but Mila’s passion was born.

“It was just really fun, and I got to meet new friends,” she said.

Irish dancers must keep their arms from moving. Weitz said that when she started out, she moved her arms a lot, but she credits her teachers, Byron Tuttle and Edward Searle, with helping her improve. Now, she attends dance classes and practices about four times a week.

Tuttle is not surprised by her success.

"Mila has been with us right from the very beginning, from a very young age,” he said. “Early on, we spotted her talent and drive and knew she would quickly start to accomplish great things in Irish dancing.”

Weitz qualified for the World Championships through regional and national championships. She spent nearly a week in Montreal, and while she was there, she performed three dances for her solo competition. After placing 37th for the under 11 age group, which included more than 100 dancers, her team finished first in its competition – two major accomplishments for a young dancer on the rise.

“I just want to thank everyone who’s helped me - like my parents - for taking me everywhere, my teachers, Edward and Byron, and my sister who watches all of my competitions either there in person or on a video,” said Weitz.

Among her biggest fans are, of course, her parents Natalie and Joe Weitz.

“It is very cool,” said Natalie Weitz. “I will say, I had no idea what I was getting in to when we started, but it’s pretty awesome! She does put in a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication, but it is exciting.”

Natalie Weitz describes her daughter as someone who has always been a performer and someone who never gets nervous in front of a crowd.

Mila, meanwhile, said she is hoping she will be able to compete in next year’s World Championships in Scotland, as she shared a message for other children who have a passion and a goal.

“You just need to keep trying,” she said. “It’s hard, but you just need to have a lot of fun with it.”