WALLA WALLA - Lots of girls are introduced to ballet at a young age, but rarely do we hear about toddlers learning Irish dancing.

Laura Holford, a freshman at Whitman College, began doing traditional Irish dance at 4 years old and hasn't stopped. Now, she's on her way to the holy grail of Irish dancing: Riverdance.

During winter break, Holford auditioned for Riverdance, the most prestigious Irish dance company. She was prepared to fly to Dublin, where the company is based, but at the last minute it was announced that auditions would be held in Holford's home town of San Jose, Calif. A week after auditioning, Holford got an e-mail inviting her to be a member of Riverdance. She is now on call for the next tour.

Holford has practiced other kinds of dance but found Irish dancing, which is characterized by rapid leg movements and a stationary torso, to be her passion. Part of what she enjoys is that there is always something new to learn.