I started dancing as soon as I could walk — and I’ve never really stopped.
Growing up, I took both Irish dancing and ballet classes through school. Ballet didn’t last long at the time (although I can’t remember whether that was my decision or my parents’!), but I completely threw myself into Irish dancing. I begged for a dress for the Feiseanna, signed up for extra classes, and loved every part of it — the curled hair, the makeup, and enough hairspray to survive every jump. My mum, however, was never particularly competitive and definitely didn’t share my obsession with winning medals and trophies!
Eventually, my friend and I discovered a nearby jazz ballet and tap class — found in the phonebook, which definitely shows my age. She was interested in tap, while I was drawn to jazz ballet, but I instantly fell in love with both. That same year, we performed in our school show at the Olympia Theatre, which is still one of my favourite dance memories. I vividly remember running around backstage, sitting in the green room, and exploring the dressing rooms. Even at eleven years old, I understood how special that stage was and all the incredible performers who had stood there before me.
Not long after, my parents divorced and we moved to a different town in Ireland. For years, I had been asking to start ballet properly. I didn’t fit the traditional “ballet body” stereotype, and I know my mum worried about some of the toxic aspects often associated with ballet culture. Thankfully, we found a wonderful local ballet school where the teacher welcomed me warmly into the Grade 3 RAD class at thirteen years old.
I still remember that first class so clearly. I had read countless ballet books and taught myself the basics, so I was thrilled not to feel too far behind. A year later, my teacher also placed me into the Elementary class (now the RAD Intermediate syllabus) to help strengthen my technique.
Through this incredible school — now called The Ballet Barn — I completed RAD exams and performed in their biannual shows. Dancing the role of Swanhilda in Coppélia was a huge personal achievement. Alongside ballet, I also trained in disco, freestyle, hip hop, and jazz for several years.
When I went to university, I continued dancing ballet and travelled home every weekend for classes until my final year. I also became chairperson of the DCU Dance Society and regularly attended hip hop classes. But by the final year of my degree, balancing a thesis, coursework, and commuting became too much. I stopped ballet “temporarily”… and then life simply took over. Before my hiatus, I co-choreographed ‘Fame: The Musical’ at university which gave me a deep respect for teachers and choreographers alike!
After graduating, I focused on work, socialising, and building my life in Dublin. Ballet was never far from my mind, though. At the time, adult ballet classes were surprisingly difficult to find, and I struggled to fit classes around work schedules. When I moved to London at 26, I tried a few studios but never quite found the right fit — some classes lacked corrections, some felt too easy or too advanced, and sometimes I just didn’t connect with the teaching style (I was especially confused by Vaganova and Cecchetti training at first!).
I’m now lucky enough to be a mum to two wonderful children. After having my first child, though, I became incredibly self-conscious about my postpartum body and couldn’t imagine stepping back into a mirrored studio environment, let alone dancing again. Even so, dance never really left me. I’d still find myself doing pliés and tendus in the kitchen or pirouetting around the living room. Dance has always been a form of expression and comfort for me — even if my only audience was my children, who are very used to it by now. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t allowed self-esteem and unrealistic body expectations to keep me away for so long.
The last few years have been personally very challenging, and although I tried traditional therapy, I never truly connected with it in the way I hoped. Rediscovering ballet changed that completely. I fell in love with dance all over again — deeply and unexpectedly. Ballet has become more than just a passion or hobby; it’s become my therapy, my outlet, and a huge source of strength and joy.
Now, at 40, I’m more passionate than ever about dance, injury prevention, nutrition, and continuing to learn. I feel like a sponge, soaking up two decades’ worth of ballet knowledge, and I’m currently studying for my next RAD exam. I have found a wonderful, online dance academy called Studio B, where I can continue to study the RAD syllabus and enjoy my passion in a warm, welcoming and friendly community of wonderful fellow dancers and teachers.
Phoebe