For the second year running, Step Up: Dance Project is under way again at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.  The project, a unique partnership between the Arts Council, Dance Ireland and the University of Limerick, bridges the gap between dance education and professional contemporary dance practice in Ireland.

The project gives dance graduates an opportunity to work under the direction of guest internationally renowned choreographers Liz Roche (IRL) and John Jasperse (US) to create a programme of short original works. These will be performed at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, DanceHouse in Dublin and at the Firkin Crane in Cork in August.

This year’s six selected dancers are Jennifer Brown from Limerick, Lisa Tighe from Dublin, Lucia Kickham from Enniscorthy, Orla Shine from Roscommon, Siobhan Ni Dhuinnin from Cork and Brona Jackson from Derry.  It is hoped the project will enhance the selected dancers’ professional networks, connecting them to the Irish professional contemporary dance community and improve their professional opportunities here in Ireland.

Running from the 2nd July to 26 August, the dancers reside at UL, utilising the state of the art studios and facilities at the Irish World Academy with accommodation provided on campus.  The programme incorporates daily class, training and rehearsals and guest teachers for 2012 are Elena Giannotti (IT/IRE) and Lindsay Clarke (US).

Speaking about the launch of the programme, Step Up Project Director, Victoria O’Brien commented, “this project is proving to be hugely successful, so much so that we have expanded the programme from six to eight weeks and have extended the tour to include a performance at the Firkin Crane in Cork.  We are delighted with the calibre of the dancers, choreographers and teachers.  It all makes for a very exciting programme.”

Step Up: Dance Project, a partnership project between The Arts Council, University of Limerick and Dance Ireland will culminate in the performance of two original choreographic works, to be premiered at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance on August 23, in DanceHouse, Dublin on August 24 & 25 and this year, the Firkin Crane in Cork on August 26.