Mission Statement
Established in 2014, East Coast School of Ballet provides RAD Classical Ballet and ISTD Modern Theatre Dance training to children of 3 years of age to adults.
We provide high quality teaching with a professional approach at all times.
We teach in a child-centred environment and provide fun, friendly and safe dance practice.
We hope all that all of our students develop a love, passion and appreciation of dance in a non-competitive environment.
Students can take part in East Coast School of Ballet shows, presentation days and can be invited to partake in Royal Academy of Dance Examinations and Class Awards.
Principal & teacher
Karen O'Hara
Karen started ballet at the age of 7 with the Irish Ballet School in Swords. She took ISTD and RAD examinations from Grade 1-8 under the direction of Sara and Emma Gannon and performed in various ballet shows dancing Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, A Chorus Line, Le Corsaire and more.
She did a three year ‘Theatre Studies: Dance’ course in Inchicore College FE where she completed ISTD and RAD vocational examinations from Intermediate level to Advanced 1 (RAD) and Advanced 2 (ISTD). While attending Inchicore Karen was offered a scholarship to take part in dance festival Impulstanz in Vienna, gaining more experience in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and different Hip Hop styles. She gained her teaching certificate and diploma for ISTD Modern Theatre Dance in Inchicore and furthered her training by doing a 2 year ‘Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies’ course with Royal Academy of Dance, London.
Since then Karen has gained lots of experience in various dance schools in Dublin, Meath and Louth teaching students of all ages Ballet and Modern/Jazz, preparing them for their dance exams and choreographing for shows before setting up East Coast School of Ballet in 2014.
Since 2014 East Coast School of Ballet students have been entered in and successfully passed various levels of examinations and taken part in shows and parents days.
Qualifications
Dip., Theatre Studies: Dance
Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (RAD RTS)
Diploma in Dance Education (ISTD DDE)
Certified Barre Concept Instructor
Certified Silver Swans Instructor
PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique)
Ballet Teacher
Aoife Brogan
Aoife Brogan is a dancer and teacher from Roscommon. Aoife’s love of dance began at an early age when she started as a student of the McDermott school of Classical Ballet and Dance. It was there that Aoife successfully completed all her ballet exams up to Advanced Vocational Level. Aoife simultaneously attended Irish Dancing classes from an early age, completing her graded exams with An Comhdháil at The Fahy School.
In 2015, Aoife graduated with an International Bachelor of Education from St. Patricks College. During her time studying in St. Pats she continued her ballet education as well as becoming a member of the DCU Ballet Squad.
Currently, Aoife teaches in a Primary School in Dublin and has experience teaching children of all age groups, including children with special needs. She has completed Tusla’s Children First training and Sport Ireland Ethic’s Safeguarding course.
In January 2019, Aoife began studying with the Royal Academy of Dance, having been accepted onto the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies course. Aoife graduated in August 2021 and is now a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance. Aoife is passionate about education and hopes she can pass on her love of learning to her students.
Qualifications
B.Ed. Primary Education • Royal Academy of Dance RTS (Registered Teacher Status)
Ballet Teacher
Rebecca Moriarty
Rebecca has been dancing since the age of 3. Alongside ballet, she has attended the Billie Barry Stage School. She has studied Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, and Modern Theatre Dance. Rebecca has performed in numerous shows including the Gaiety Pantomimes.
Rebecca is currently training towards completing Advanced foundation and Grade 7 with East Coast School of Ballet. She began assisting with Karen in her early teens and has now progressed to becoming a Ballet Teacher to the junior levels in the school.
Teaching is dream of Rebecca’s and she is currently in St.Pats, DCU studying to be a primary school teacher. She has a passion for music and dance, and loves to share it with all her young students.
Ballet Teacher
Lauren Drummond
Lauren has studied ballet with East Coast School of Ballet since age 8, where she has completed her ballet Grades up to Intermediate Level and is now training towards completing Grade 7 and Advanced Foundation Levels.
Lauren started Ballet Assisting with Karen in her early teenage years and has since become a Ballet Teacher to the junior levels of the school, teaching her passion of ballet to her adoring students and sharing her love of dance.
Lauren is in her first year of college in St Pats DCU and would love to become a Primary School teacher. In her free time she loves to shop and socialise with her friends.
Aoife Brogan
Rebecca Moriarty
Lauren Drummond
Our Classes
We offer students from the age of 3 an opportunity to train in ballet and modern dance.