Libertyville High student an Irish dance champion

Libertyville's Tyler Schwartz embodies the notion of not judging a book by its cover -- or its name.

A quick glance at his and it might be surprising to learn the 16-year-old is an international Irish dance champion.

The Libertyville High School junior recently returned from Killarney, Ireland, where he earned his second straight All-Ireland championship trophy -- a rare feat for an American.

"It is pretty funny when you see the results and there are all these Irish names and then randomly Schwartz is in there," said the teen, whose ancestral makeup is actually three-quarters Irish and one quarter German and Jewish.

As he prepared to perform in a host of St. Patrick's Day events, Schwartz said he was thrilled to be able to repeat as champion in his age group in the international competition.

"Last year, I just went in with this attitude of having nothing to lose," he said. "This year was a lot more nerve-wracking."

Amy Moran, Schwartz's coach, said he has an amazing presence on stage.

"He just flies on that stage," she said. "He dances his best when he has an audience."

A student of Barrington's Anam Mor Irish Dance School, Schwartz has been Irish dancing since he was 7. He got started after watching his older sister, Lindsay, perform at the world championships

"The competitive sport side of it looked like fun," Schwartz said.

Moran said Schwartz was a quick study.

"He picked it up so quickly," she said. "It was like it was meant to be."

Schwartz's mom, Jill, who is Irish, said she got her children started as a way for them to learn more about her background.

"Irish dancing was something the whole family did growing up," she said.

Besides the back-to-back All-Ireland titles, Schwartz also has taken home first-place trophies at the Mid-American Oireachtas Championships, as well as the North American, Great Britain and All-Scotland championships.

Later this month, he'll compete in the 2008 World Championships in Belfast.

Jill Schwartz has delighted in her son's success.

"It has really been totally fun, because it has been so unexpected," she said.

Whether it be dancing or soccer, which he also plays, Jill Schwartz said her son is dedicated to whatever is in front of him.

"He is really intense," she said. "Anything he does, he does intensely."

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Schwartz and the rest of the dancers from Anam Mor participated in a host of events throughout the area, including stops at numerous Barrington-area schools.

For more information on the Irish dance school, visit www.anam-mor.com.