ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) -- Dancing a traditional Irish jig includes jumps, high kicks, and quick-paced movements that are just as hard as they look. A group of talented, young cultural dancers say they've improved leaps and bounds during their years training at the Rochester Academy of Irish Dance. Two of the young performers, Nate Lynch and Bridget Solan, just won first place in their respective age categories at the Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas — a regional dance competition. "I was very surprised. I couldn’t like believe it for a moment and I was like really getting a feel for it, but it was really exciting once it kinda sank in and you realize that you won," says 11-year-old Bridget. "It was just the best feeling, because all that hard work that I put into it finally paid off," adds 17-year-old Nate. And they come from a very talented team. About 10 dancers will soon head to Ireland for a world competition to set foot on the soil where these dances were formed. "I think it’s really cool to see like how it all originated and like how all the culture has influenced it over time," says world qualifier, 14-year-old MaryGrace Roj. Whether it will be their first time on Irish soil or returning home to where their families first originated, these dedicated dancers say they’re proud to take the opportunity and show their best moves. "When you hear your number called and you’re like, good, I made it! Like I’m happy, because I worked so hard for that," says fellow world competitor, 14-year-old Linden Gawronski. "Qualifying for worlds is just a title to all the hard work that you put into and it’s not only for yourself, but it’s also for your school and we’re all going to support Rochester Academy and embrace that we’re all a team," 19-year-old Annabelle McGinnity explains to News 8's Mikhaela Singleton. "We’re all dancing solo, but it doesn’t matter where you come from or where you are now. All your hard work has paid off."