Saturday 5th October 2024
NORTHERN IRELAND

The Countdown is on...

SERVICES

ABOUT US

Welcome to The Dance Awards NI, an esteemed ceremony poised to recognise and honour the exceptional contributions of Northern Ireland's dance community. Set against the backdrop of glamour at the Culloden Hotel on October 5th, we proudly present the inaugural Dance Awards NI, marking a significant milestone in celebrating the brilliance of dance.

Driven by a deep-seated passion for dance, our journey began with a vision to establish a distinguished platform that applauds excellence and dedication within the industry. As former dancers ourselves, we recognised the need for a singular, prestigious event that acknowledges the remarkable achievements of the past year. As pioneers in N. Ireland's dance scene, the Dance Awards NI stand as a beacon of excellence, reflecting the unwavering commitment and enthusiasm of our vibrant dance community. Whether you're a dance school, studio owner, teacher, choreographer, dancer, artist, volunteer, feis, festival, or competition organiser, our awards offer a unique opportunity to bask in the spotlight and receive well-deserved recognition.

Looking ahead, our mission extends beyond celebration; we aspire to foster creativity, diversity, innovation, and excellence through ongoing support, education, and leadership within the dance community.

With a steadfast dedication to our cause, we pledge to elevate The Dance Awards into the definitive dance event of our era. Join us as we applaud the finest talents and tireless efforts that fuel Northern Ireland's dance landscape. Together, let's honour the individuals and organisations whose passion and dedication inspire us all.

Catherine Hughes

Co-Founder

Danielle Hughes Quinn

Co-Founder

PARTNERS

Award Categories

Special recognition

Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Dance for Wellbeing Award
Choreographer of the Year
Dance Teacher of the Year
Dance Assistant of the Year
Dance Parent Award
Dance Costume Designer Award
Dance in Education Award
Community Engagement Dance Award
Dance Photographer of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award (teaching 25+ years)

DANCE School AWARDS

County Antrim Dance School of the Year
County Armagh Dance School of the Year
County Derry/Londonderry Dance School of the Year
County Down Dance School of the Year
County Fermanagh Dance School of the Year
County Tyrone Dance School of the Year
Top Performing Dance School in Individual Dance Styles: Jazz, Irish, Line, Highland Dancing, Ballroom, Belly Dance, Salsa, Aerial Dance, Swing, Breakdance, Tap, Hiphop, Cheerleading, Acro, Contemporary, Ballet, Aerobic, Lyrical, Freestyle or Traditional Dance from your culture.

event AWARDS

Event of the Year Dance Competition
Event of the Year Feis
Event of the Year Festival
Event of the Year Project

DANCER of the year

Aged 9 and Under
Aged 13 and Under
Aged 17 and Under
Aged 18 and Over

Education AWARDS

Primary School of the Year Dance Award
Secondary School of the Year Dance Award
University/College of the Year Dance Award

MEET THE JUDGES

DARREN CASEY

A Journey Through Dance

Darren is a distinguished Irish dancer with nearly two decades of professional experience. He captivated audiences worldwide as a pivotal dancer with Riverdance for 15 years. Darren's career soared when he won GOT TO DANCE with the groundbreaking group PRODIJIG, showcasing his innovative choreography. He has performed on Broadway and the West End, leaving an indelible mark on each stage. Recently, Darren has become the host of Feis TV, continuing to share his love for Irish dance. He is delighted to join the panel of adjudicators for the NI Dance Awards and congratulates all involved.

ADAM FOGARTY

Adam Fogarty is a professional Dancer/ choreographer. As a commercial dancer Adam has worked with Rita Ora, Black Eyed Peas, Emma Bunton, Rudimental, Kat Graham & has recently worked on television productions like the MTV EMA Awards, Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball, BBCS “The Greatest Dancer” and Disney. He is also a pro dancer for Ireland’s Got Talent season 1 & 2.

Adam has experience in all areas of the dance world from TV / FILM to corporate with global companies like Jaguar,Land Rover & Google, He recently worked on Disneys highly anticipated ‘Disenchanted’ movie & the new ‘Barbie’ movie directed by Greta Gerwig.

INA MAZURENKO

Inna is a Ukrainian professional dancer and choreographer, and a finalist of TV shows “Dances with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” Ukraine.

As CEO of Udance Company, she organises dance championships such as World of Dance Ukrainian Regional Series and Feel The Beat.

Inna has 15 years of experience as an international judge and currently works with CoisCéim Dance Theatre and Dublin Dance Festival.

She also organises the Dance World Cup Ireland Qualifier.

LEO REYNOLDS

B.A. (Hons) with Ed. L.G.S.M. A.I.S.T.D. Dip. D.D.E.

Leo’s illustrious career encompasses teaching, lecturing, and choreography. A lifelong member of The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, she has taught Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance to all ages. Her expertise in the Ruby Ginner Method of Classical Dance has led to lecturing opportunities at ISTD Congress. Leo has choreographed numerous stage musicals, including the Northern Irish premiere of Billy Elliot, and has been a successful choreographer with Newpoint Players. She is honored and excited to join the judging panel for this prestigious event.

Auditions Entry

If you would like to participate in The Dance Awards NI, follow these steps:

Submit your entry: Solos
A judging panel will review the entries and select 5-7 finalists.
You will receive a notification regarding the outcome.
The winner will be announced on the night of the awards ceremony.

Dancer of the year

Enter

To take part in the Dance Awards NI follow these steps:

Choose Your Category: Enter as Dance Teacher, Choreographer, Competition, Festival, Dance Parent, Dance Assistant, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Dance for Wellbeing, Lifetime Achievement, Community Engagement, Costume Designer or Photographer.
Highlight your approach, creativity and impact on dance.
Wait for FINALIST Confirmation: Once your entry is submitted, our team will review it to ensure it meets our criteria. You will receive confirmation of your entry via email or your preferred choice such as Instragram/Facebook.
Prepare a portfolio via our Self Statement form showcasing your work as some of the categories at this next stage will require this.
Join us at the Awards Ceremony: Enjoy the entertainment and performances, network and be read for an unforgettable evening.

CONTACT

GET IN TOUCH

If you have any questions or queries please let us know and we will get back to you at our earliest convenience.

Saturday 5th October 2024 NORTHERN IRELAND