Kate O'Connor

ESPA Principal & Majors Head Coach

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Qualifications:

• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance- Certificate in Dance Education, ISTD CDE (MTB) (Honours)

• Certificate in Dance Performance (2yrs)

• BGU Level 3 Cheer in Stunting, Tumbling, Tosses

• Acrobatic Arts, AAM1 certified

• ADC Pom

• Aerial Arts (Hoop Theory) certified

• Alixa Flexibilty, Module 4 certified

• Id Company, Contemporary Dance certified

• 200hr RYT Yoga teaching qualification (undertaking)

• National Certificate in Exercise and Fitness (NCEF)

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Professional experience:

• Michael Flatley’s “Feet of Flames” European Tour with which she toured Europe extensively and featured in an on screen interview and a solo performance in “Michael Flatley Gold”.  “Lord of the Dance” Las Vegas Production, New York, New York Hotel, performing the principal role of “The Spirit”.

• Jury's Famous Irish Cabaret- performed as a lead soloist both in the resident show based in Dublin, and on the 1998 American tour. Awarded “Best Variety Show” by The National Entertainment Awards. Performed live on RTE in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. Asta Convention, Los Angeles, California 1998.

• Irish Folk Ballet Company- Dancer and Choreographer. Principal dancer on Silja Line Cruises.

• Rock ‘n’ Reels Dance Company- Director/ Choreographer and Dancer. Provided top quality Irish Dance entertainment for private and corporate events including the French Rugby Team.

• Television and Film- Kate has appeared on television shows around Europe and the united States and appeared in several films including the fantasy film “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns” starring Whoopi Goldberg and Randy Quaid.

• Kate has also worked in corporate hospitality and was responsible for recruiting and coordinating hospitality staff  for guests of the 2002 American Academy of Achievement Awards, held in Dublin, Ireland. Guests of the prestigious summit included President Bill Clinton, Bono, Mikhail Gorbechev, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones and Quincy Jones to name a few.

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Dance Studies:

• Trained and successfully achieved the ISTD's highest vocational exams in Advanced 2 level in Modern Theatre Dance

• Classical Ballet with both the ISTD and Royal Academy of Dance

• Contemporary Dance, ISTD

• Irish Dance to Grade 5, achieving 5th place in the Canadian National Oireachtas

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Choreography:

Kate has choreographed for numerous Companies, Clubs  and Dance Schools including-​​

• Award winning Head Choreographer of Elevation Dance Team 

• Head Coach of Elevation All Stars

• Numerous Strictly Come Dancing events by local GAA clubs

• Professional choreographer for Gymnastics Ireland affiliated club Cobra Gymnastics Club

• Co- Director of Wicklow Youth Dance Company (performances at Festivals including DU Dance, Irish Youth Dance Festival, Taste of Wicklow,  Culture Night and Children in Need) 2012-2016

• Choreographer for Leinster Figure Champions 2012 of Scoil Rince Dunphy

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General:

Fully registered ISTD teacher

Fully insured

Garda Vetted

Child Safeguarding

Ongoing CPD courses in Acrobatics, Cheer and Tumbling

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Dance School:

In 2005, Kate opened Elevation Dance School. Since that time, Kate has trained  hundreds of students in private/community classes and in National Schools across Co. Wicklow and Dublin. Training students to vocational level both in ISTD exam preparations and for performance work has earned the school an excellent local reputation and 100% pass rate. Many of the original students who joined the school are still part of the ESPA family today, with many gaining entry on to third level dance programs along the way including-

·        Bray Institute of Further Education

·        Middlesex University UK

·        University of Roehampton UK

·        DCU, UCD and Maynooth University Dance Societies.

 

Many of Kate’s students have also performed in local Musical Society productions, won first place at The National Community Games Finals in dance solos, appeared on RTE television in youth dance program "Pump Up Your Dance" and have competed at international competitions achieving numerous 1st place awards.

 

Kate could not be more proud of her students and the bonds that have grown within the school over the last two decades. Opening students experiences up to as many different aspects of cheer, dance and performance under the careful direction of qualified, expert teachers and coaches is the only way to build truly versatile young performers and people.