Big dreams are coming true for this Odessa fifth-grader

Ireland Luiten has been dancing since the age of three, with big dreams of becoming a professional dancer. That dream is coming true this December, when she will perform with the State Street Ballet Company (out of California) and the Spokane Symphony in this year’s performance of the Nutcracker Suite. Open auditions were held in Spokane in late September. Ireland auditioned with hundreds of kids vying for only a few roles. After a two-hour audition, she was cast as one of the mice. Only six children were cast for this part. She will perform daily December 6-9 at the Fox Theater in Spokane. Discounted tickets can be ordered through Greg or Kellie Luiten between now and November 15.

The past year has been extremely busy for Ireland, as she has traveled all over dancing and competing. Last November was the start of a very exciting year of dance. She traveled to Las Vegas for a workshop where she won the award for “Best Stage Presence” out of about 300 kids.

After winning that award she was given the opportunity to travel to Hollywood for this upcoming season, to have a solo dance routine taught and choreographed by a famous choreographer. She was the only student at her dance studio to ever win this award and the youngest ever to get the opportunity to go to Hollywood.

She just returned a few weeks ago after having learned the solo that she will perform in the competition starting in February of 2013.

Her other accomplishments for the year included multiple Diamond, Platinum and High Gold awards at regional competitions throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon, as well as in Las Vegas. She also won the “Best Costume Award” many times and “Miss Photogenic” at every competition that had the category. She ended the year with two competitions where she and her duo partner had the overall highest scoring routine for their age group (9 to 12).

All of these awards qualified her for national competitions which were held in Las Vegas in July and also in Oregon. She won her first national title in the Spotlight Dance Cup competition and received a Top First Place for the KAR (Kids Artistic Revue) national dance competition, where she won her second crown.

Dancing is Ireland’s passion, and she can’t imagine her life without it. She trains for at least 30 hours a week at Dance Emporium in Spokane and twice a week at Dynamic Gymnastics. She is on the competition-and-performing team for Dance Emporium. She is busy preparing for another year of competitions, with regional events starting in February and Nationals taking place in June and July.

This year’s dance lineup includes multiple dances in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Step, Line, Production, Acro (dance style that combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements) and many technique classes. She will compete with two solos, two trios, four small groups, large line and large production. She loves the stage and excitement of competition.

With hard work, dedication and determination, dreams come true!