MODG student, Olivia Buehler, is an accomplished Irish dancer, having competed in both national and world-wide events. Currently competing at the Open Champion level, Olivia’s dedication and passion for Irish dance has propelled her to some of the highest ranks in the sport.
Olivia’s career in Irish dance began at the age of nine when she was encouraged by some of her friends to take part in a local Irish dance class. She recalls that, “Some of my friends from our homeschool community were encouraging boys and girls to join these homeschool classes a local dance school was offering, and my mom thought, ‘Why not!’”. Little did her mom know, this seemingly casual decision would lead to a lifelong passion for Irish dancing. Olivia shares, “At my first class, I immediately fell in love with dancing and decided that Irish dance would be my lifelong sport.” Olivia has never gone back on this decision, nor has she regretted it.
Now, years later, Olivia competes in some of the most prestigious Irish dance competitions across the globe such as the Irish Dance World Championships, the North America Championships, and the Oireachtas – a competition specifically for Southern region dancers. These competitions are called “majors” since they have at least 120 girls competing in each age group. Every year, Olivia also competes in various smaller events across different states. Though all of these competitions are significant in their own right, she shares that, “My most memorable performance was at Montreal, Canada, where I competed in an 8-hand and placed 5th in the world”. This incredible achievement is a testament to her hard work and skill.
As a high school student, balancing academics, dance, and the demands of everyday life would be a challenge for anyone. Olivia spends about 13 hours a week dancing. Additionally, on non-class days, she focuses on strengthening and conditioning. She shares that, “It can be hard juggling school, dance, and just life, but it’s worth it”. Fortunately, Olivia’s homeschool schedule gives her the flexibility she needs to pursue dance without interfering with her education. “Of course, school always comes first, but it’s much easier that I am homeschooled and I have a more flexible schedule.”
When asked what her favorite aspect of Irish Dance is, Olivia responds with, “Oooo, I think the music, I could play it for hours”. For Irish dancers the music is not just a backdrop but an essential part of the performance. It’s clear that Olivia understands this and values the musical element of the sport just as much as the actual dancing.
Looking to the future, Olivia is considering a professional career in dance, which further shows her commitment to the art form. When asked, she enthusiastically replies, “I’m definitely considering it!”. With her dance teachers having performed in some of the most famous and difficult shows, such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, one possible path she is considering is to follow in their footsteps and teach Irish dance as well. However, with upcoming regional competitions, her main goal at the moment is to focus all her energy on practicing and performing with the hopes to “recall and World qualify”.
Olivia’s success and commitment serves as inspiration to many other Irish Dancers, both to other experienced dancers and to those just beginning. From Olivia’s years of competition and practice, she offers advice and encouragement to those just starting their journey in the sport, “Keep pushing yourself! You’ll be surprised by how strong and amazing you are!” Though Olivia has not yet graduated high school, her talent and passion for Irish dance have already earned her many accomplishments, and are sure to carry her even further in the world of Irish dance.
