Gianna has danced for eleven years, since she was just four years old. She presently dances with the Broesler School of Irish Dance with teachers Caitrin O’Meara and Kevin Broesler. Although she experimented in a variety of dance genres and other activities when she was younger, she quickly settled on Irish dance as her passion.

“I tried ballet, tap, jazz, t-ball, and gymnastics, but wasn’t satisfied with any of them,” she said. “Then I went to a christening and all of the baby’s cousins got up and started Irish dancing, so I asked my mom if I could try it.”

Gianna trains every day of the week for two to six hours a day. She said it is a very physically demanding sport that requires true dedication. “This is one of the most valuable things Irish dance has taught me,” she said. “I learn how to manage my time, make sacrifices, and learn dedication and commitment, while keeping my grades up in all honors classes.”

United States dancers can qualify for the world championship competition in three different arenas: Regionals, Nationals, or Worlds. The amount of qualifiers at Nationals and Regionals are based on a certain percentage of the competitors that danced that day. The other way to qualify is to receive a medal placement from Worlds the year before. Gianna had the honor of qualifying at all three of these events.

At this year’s World Irish Dance Championships, Gianna performed in two competitions: solo and team. In the solo competition, performers first do a hard shoe dance where they compete for the judges’ attention with two other girls on stage. The next round is a soft shoe, similar to ballet, again competing against two other girls. Judges choose fifty of the highest placing girls and call them back for a third round of hard shoe. Gianna was ranked second in that solo competition, which she said came as a shock. She was even more thrilled when she learned her best friend placed first.

“All of my emotions that were bottled up inside came out when I heard my name called,” Gianna said. “When I found out that my best friend had won and become World Champion, it made the moment that much sweeter. When we found each other we broke out into tears of joy. Standing at the top of the podium beside my best friend was a dream come true.”

In the team category, Gianna’s team ranked third in the world in the Senior Division. Other impressive titles she has achieved include fourth place in the All-Ireland Championship, Regional Champion, and second place at the North American Irish Dance Championship. Gianna also won the North American Irish Dance Championship on July 1, 2015 in Providence, Rhode Island. She won first place out of one hundred and sixty competitors, and her team was also named national champion in the senior division.

 

Gianna said there are endless reasons why she loves Irish dance, but she especially appreciates the friendships and relationships she has built throughout the years.

 

“There is a special bond between dancers that most people do not understand,” she said. “We, as dancers, understand each other’s lives and realize how hard it is to juggle all aspects. Dancers become like family and it is always good to know they have your back.”

Irish dance has also brought Gianna to many places around the world she may have never had the chance to visit otherwise including England, Ireland, Scotland, and France. And her favorite opportunity that comes out of dance is when she uses her talents to help others.

“Around Saint Patrick’s Day, our school does shows at various nursing homes and assisted living facilities,” Gianna explained. “There is no greater feeling than putting a smile on the residents’ faces. God gave me this wonderful talent, not just to use it for selfish reasons, but so that I could share it with those who are less fortunate.”