Coastal Ballet SchoolCoastal Ballet SchoolWe provide the highest standards of professionalism and attention to detail at all times. As a Royal Academy of Dance registered school, we observe the highest standards for all our students.
Our classes are open to all, regardless of background, ability or experience. We work with all students and ensure that we foster an environment of inclusion and support at all times.
While our students are prepared for their RAD graded and vocational exams, we believe in dance for its own sake and we connect our students with their innate, unlocked passion.
We are a family-oriented business, focused on creating an environment that is nurturing, inclusive and enjoyable for all.
Our teachers have worked hard to progress in their careers, so we are sympathetic to the challenges that can be faced in shaping and learning a craft. We shape our classes and syllabus in such a way that is enjoyable, so our students want to come back and learn with us again and again.
We believe in holistic development, and firmly believe that the skills that are unlocked in our classes can be applied across so many different areas of life.
PRINCIPAL
Suzanne Bergin is the Principal and Director of Coastal Ballet School. She began studying ballet in 1976 with Maire Cole in Dublin.
She later became a member of the Irish Youth Ballet Company and was a member from the age of 11 until she left in 1992. Suzanne has danced in company performances in the Gaiety and Olympia in many roles.
After leaving the company Suzanne studied Financial Management and worked in the financial services and advertising industry until she opened Coastal Ballet School in 2003. She was awarded her Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies from the Royal Academy of Dance in 2004.
She is now involved with mentoring and supervising students on this course and assists in the training of new student teachers for the Royal Academy of Dance.
TEACHER
Born and raised in Drogheda, Ireland, Hannah began her dance training aged 3 at her local schools Coastal Ballet School and Irish Ballet School where she trained in RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern to Intermediate standard. At the age of 15 she joined Dublin Youth Dance Company which is where her contemporary dance training began. Whilst in the company she performed works by; Mariam Ribon and Toni Bravo.
At 19 she studied a year of contemporary dance in the Netherlands and performed works by Andrea Beugger and Marc Van Loon before attending The Scottish School of Contemporary Dance (HNC). Hannah performed in Dundee at the opening ceremony at the V&A with Shaper/Caper and also had the pleasure of performing a duet at Fresh Edit at Scottish Dance Theatre. She spent a year there before transferring to London Contemporary Dance School where she graduated with a First-Class BA (Hons) Degree.
Whilst there she had the pleasure of performing works choreographed by Ohad Naharin/Chisato Ohno, Hofesh Shechter/Yeji Kim, Sung Im Her, Extended Play Dance/Jamaal Burkmar. A highlight for her while studying was working with many of her peers and learning their individual practices.
TEACHER
A Kildare Native, Claire began dancing at the age of 3 with Ruth Shine School of Dance. Training in classical ballet, Claire successfully completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations all the way up to Vocational level. Claire has performed in numerous shows and performances over the years, with the school.
Claire furthered her dance training and delved into the world of teaching via Inchicore College of Further Education, where she obtained a QQI Level 6 in Dance Studies. Here she trained in Classical Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Contemporary Dance. While at ICFE, Claire successfully completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Vocational examinations in Classical Ballet up to Advanced 1 level, and her Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Vocational examinations in Modern Dance up to advanced 1 level. In 2017, Claire won a scholarship to attend ImpulsTanz international dance festival in Vienna, Austria where she took part in workshops and intensives with world renowned choreographers. In her final year, Claire was a member of Core Dance Company, performing in festivals around Ireland.
Claire has been a ballet and contemporary dance teacher with us since 2017, having taught in dance schools across Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Louth.
Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, Certified Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner.
Originally from Ohio Vania received her Bachelors of Arts and Science from the University of Pittsburgh. She continued her studies at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland where she received her Bachelors of Honours in Physiotherapy. Having a love and passion for dance, and previous experience as a cheerleader and dancer, Vania has continued her professional development with a focus on dance injury prevention and rehabilitation.
With over 16 years of clinical experience Vania provides expertise in diagnostic assessment of neurodevelopmental, orthopaedic, and musculoskeletal; assessment, intervention, and management, in addition to biomechanical, postural assessment and management, orthotic prescription, and individually tailored programmes.
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Lisa has extensive training Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Dane and Contemporary dance techniques having studied classical ballet in Killester School of Ballet and Modern Dance to (RAD) Advanced 2 level. She studied ISTD Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance in Castleknock School of Dance and attained all Graded and Vocational Graded examinations to Advanced level.
Lisa completed a Diploma in Dance Production and Performance at Inchicore College of Further Education, Dublin (2004 to 2007). She also achieved her RAD and ISTD teaching qualifications and was a founding member of Core Dance Company, for advanced third year students. Lisa received a BA(hons) Degree in Dance Theatre from TrinityLaban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London in 2010.
Since returning to Ireland Lisa has danced professionally with a number of independent dance and music artists. She has also worked with established Contemporary Dance Companies, such as, John Scott’s Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Luca Silvestrini’s Protein Dance Company (UK), Liz Roche and John Jasperse (USA).
Lisa is a highly experienced Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance and Contemporary dance teacher and has taught in various dance schools and venues throughout Dublin, Drogheda and Limerick
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Ursula Harrison trained at the Kim Bailie and Irene McCann Schools of Dance in Modern, Tap, Ballet and Irish Dancing.
She achieved high grades in examinations with the British Theatre Dance Association and even made a TV appearance tap dancing and singing.
Ursula competed and won many awards at festivals in Northern Ireland, and choreographed for several local productions, including Jungle Book and The Prodigal Daughter.
She also gained experience teaching alongside Kim Bailie until her early 20’s, when she gave up dancing to pursue a career in Tourism. Thankfully, she returned to dance, and is now undertaking the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and teaching Tap dance, which she really loves!
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Megan trained at Scottish Ballet Associates before studying full time at the Dance School of Scotland. At the age of 15 she participated in an Australian exchange at Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in Melbourne.
Megan then moved to London to study on the BA (Hons) Ballet Education and Licentiate programmes at the Royal Academy of Dance. During her studies she was given the Iris Truscott scholarship and passed Advanced 2 with Merit. Megan graduated with a 2.1 degree classification and has subsequently been awarded ‘Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance.
Upon graduation Megan moved back to Glasgow to tutor to set up weekly outreach ballet classes for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She also taught Vocational RAD ballet at Janice Marshall Stage School and Monument Dance Centre.
Megan has taught on summer schools for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was on the Regional Advisory Committee for the RAD in Scotland.