About aok-dance
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AOK-DANCE is a Clonmel-based dance company and school, specialising in ballet, contemporary dance, lyrical dance and contemporary ballet. The school is owned and run exclusively by Clonmel-native Aoife O’Keeffe.
Ballet classes are offered for 3 - 9 year olds, with four different classes, where the emphasis is on fun and enjoyment, whilst learning technique. Senior ballet classes for ages 10+ are also offered, as well as pointe work classes. All ballet classes incorporate the ISTD syllabus, and allow students to express their own individuality through creativity. We make use of our ballet barres in a dance studio for senior classes. Optional in-house exams are offered. Lyrical dance and contemporary ballet classes are also offered, and these focus on creativity with new pieces choreographed by Aoife. Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. Six different lyrical classes are available. All classes are in a dance studio, and with ballet barres used when required. |
REad More
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Weekly boys classes take place, which are tailored specifically to boys and are proving very popular. The boys were recently featured as part of the Royal Academy of Dance in London's Project B. There are two different boys classes based on age.
Classes are also offered in Progressing Ballet Technique, and Aoife is fully certified teacher in this. There are also classes for designed for children with additional needs, which move at a different pace to other classes. Also available are adult contemporary dance classes, which are suited to both beginners and those with dance experience. Again, the emphasis is on fun, whist working on core strengths and conditioning. There are various performance opportunities. For example, in addition to our end of term performances, students have performed in the Clonmel Junction Festival, the zombie walk, Wild Child Day, as well as the launch of Festival Cluain Meala, and at Strictly events. |
The lyrical groups have competed in Dublin and elsewhere in the WLDF contest against groups from all over the country, winning numerous awards (and these contests are optional to students), as well as contests as part of the Twilight Dance Convention, and with DFI. The school was honoured to perform several times in the NOISE Moves Dance Festival in the Civic Theatre, Dublin, having been accepted following an audition. Students have also been invited to perform in the RDS, Dublin on numerous occasions.
The school has also worked with other community groups, as well as within preschools, primary and secondary schools, including weekly classes at Rockwell College.
AOK-DANCE has continued to grow since its inception, with continued positive feedback from students and parents alike, as well as spectators. This inspires the motto – “Everything’s AOK”.
The school has also worked with other community groups, as well as within preschools, primary and secondary schools, including weekly classes at Rockwell College.
AOK-DANCE has continued to grow since its inception, with continued positive feedback from students and parents alike, as well as spectators. This inspires the motto – “Everything’s AOK”.
who is aok?
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Aoife O’Keeffe is an Irish ballet and contemporary dancer and choreographer. She started her training in her hometown of Clonmel, and was accepted to the National Youth Ballet of Ireland at a young age. She continued her studies at Firkin Crane, Cork, under Alan Foley, director at Cork City Ballet. She regularly performed at Firkin Crane, as well as The Cork City Opera House, and Green Glens Arena.
Aoife moved to London where she was accepted for postgraduate studies in dance at the world famous and state-of-the-art Laban Studios, graduating in 2004. In London, Aoife performed in prestigious venues such as the acclaimed Bonnie Bird Theatre, and Tate Modern, as well as performing at Wembley Stadium. As a performer, Aoife toured the UK, Europe, and USA, where a lot of her own choreography was also performed. Aoife has remained in demand as a teacher and choreographer, and has taught with and written for various groups throughout the UK. She has taught dance at University of Sussex in Brighton, and while living in Brighton, she also ran a series of successful dance camps in various cities along the south coast of the UK as well as London, working with various age-groups, as well as teaching children with special needs. Aoife has also taught for various groups in Ireland, including numerous schools, primary and secondary, as well as special needs. Aoife is a certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique. |
Aoife is the mom of three young boys, and understands the importance of group activities in a child's development, both physically and mentally, and encourages creativity and promotes confidence building.
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training
Firkin Crane, Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa
Cork, Ireland
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Aoife studied dance at Firkin Crane, part of Coláiste Stiofán Naofa in Cork, studying full-time between 2000 and 2002. She studied under Alan Foley, director at Cork City Ballet, as well as Jane Kellegher.
She was then honoured to be accepted for full-time postgraduate studies in dance at the world famous Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, graduating in 2004. Laban is considered to be one of the top dance colleges in the world, with students from all over the world studying there each year, in the state-of-the-art building. The college is linked with some of the top dance companies and choreographers in the world. |
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, United Kingdom
