At a young age, Isabella Cummins of Mackay has danced her way into the spotlight, securing a prestigious position in the global Irish dancing scene.

Daughter of Rebecca and Paul, Isabella’s exceptional talent stems from her early fascination with Irish dance, initially inspired by Emma Wiggle’s performances.

“Isabella was just two when she first showed a keen interest in Irish dancing,” said Rebecca.

“With her father hailing from Ireland, embracing these cultural roots came naturally to her.”

Isabella’s journey in dance is remarkable. Starting her training at the Claddagh School of Irish Dance in Mackay and Marian, she rapidly advanced to international competition levels.

“She competed at her first WIDA World Championships in Killarney last year and placed third. Fired up by that experience, she set her sights on winning this year,” her mother shared proudly.

Isabella’s training regime intensified as competitions get closer.

“Normally, she trains twice a week, once for soft shoe and once for hard shoe, but as the World Championships approached, we increased her lessons to 3-4 times a week, sometimes including private sessions.”

Her hard work paid off at the World Championships in Belgium, where Isabella excelled and is now the under 8’s World Champion.

Rebecca said that it was also an opportunity for Isabella to forge lasting friendships with dancers from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“The friendships made will last a lifetime, and the sportsmanship displayed by all the girls was truly heartwarming.”

Isabella’s ambitions reach beyond competitive success, she dreams of dancing in a major production like Riverdance and travelling the world. Her recent victory at the World Championships has fuelled these dreams further.

Isabella is also a familiar face at local events, including the Mackay Show, Global Grooves and the Food and Wine Festival, where she performs with her peers from Claddagh.

Reflecting on her daughter’s progress and the joy it brings, Rebecca offers advice to other parents.

“Find the right school that supports your child as much as you do. The teachers at Claddagh have been instrumental in Isabella’s success.”

As Isabella sets her sights on the 2025 World Championships, her family is actively seeking sponsorship to support her journey.

“Any local company looking to get involved would be making a real difference. It would be fantastic to have community backing.”

With ongoing support from her family, school, and hopefully the local community, there are no limits for this young star.

If you’d like to help out this young superstar, Rebecca would love to hear from you: parkesr4@gmail.com