It's So Nice to Meet You!

---

Over the past several years we've had the joy and privilege of sharing our love of Scottish country dancing with an ever-growing community of homeschooled young people through the Ohio Celtic Ball. In 2023, we hosted the first Celtic Gala for adults, and have also enjoyed calling dances for weddings, homeschool groups, fundraisers, parties, churches, and private schools! The funniest part is that absolutely none of this was by our own design. The Lord has continued to open doors and bring along opportunities that have surprised and blessed us in so many ways. 

The Celtic Ball began long before we were involved, way back in 2004! We both actually attended the Ball as homeschooled highschoolers from 2008 onward, with many of our friends and siblings. Our beloved "Celtic Mama", sweet Mrs. Rebekah, took over the event in 2006 and we had an amazing professional Irish dancer named Michelle teaching and calling the dances.

By the time we were in our early twenties, Michelle needed to step down from leading our event in 2014. Rebekah searched high and low for Celtic callers and found that most of them were in Scotland! We realized what a special gift we had come to love and also what a rare find Michelle was. There were attempts to bring on a new caller with a similar style but ultimately, she didn't fit well, and we realized even more that Celtic dancing with all its rich history was irreplaceable to us! 

During this time, Josiah offered Rebekah his help and pretty soon ideas began to take shape. We wondered, why not? We have a team right here who've grown up with these winsome and wonderful dances and dancers. Could we do this ourselves? 

We, along with siblings, met with Michelle who graciously spent a day teaching us all she could about how to lead and call such an event! The Celtic Ball started to make it's shift over to our group of young adults who began to stretch their wings and step into leading dances. 

For years then, Rebekah would host and organize the Ball (she was amazing enough to call dances too!), and we would lead the dances. Rebekah's perspective was always that the Ball was a gift from God, and that it was her delight to steward it well. Her vision was that the event was all for the glory of God and the joy of His children. Her heart resonated with us very much and is exactly what we desire for all our events. 

In 2020, the Lord called Rebekah more fully to other ministries, and the Ball has been ours to steward ever since! It's grown and moved quite a bit as we've struggled to find a consistent venue, but it's been so much fun, and we hope to keep it alive for a very long time and continue the legacy! 

Josiah and Elaina met in high school while playing volleyball for their homeschool co-op, Home On The Rock, and attending the Celtic Ball! They became a couple in their early twenties and were married in 2017. Josiah works as a GIS specialist, and Elaina cares for their home and three small children. Together they share sixteen siblings and love their large family! Celtic and Moore has become a real part-time job for their family and although it can be a lot of work, it's also incredibly rewarding. 

Josiah's family celebrates their Scottish and Irish heritage and can trace their family back to Clan Stewart! Josiah is definitely the one who has the passion for Celtic culture and dancing and thoroughly enjoys sharing it with others. While Josiah calls the dances and runs the show on event day, Elaina handles their event's registrations, venue and catering bookings, communications, and logistics.