A Partnership Rooted in Expertise and Shared Vision
How long have you been working with Juilliard? “I have been a faculty member of Juilliard’s Dance Division, where I teach both Dance Composition and a course in Pedagogy, since 2012. I became the Director of Dance for Juilliard K-12 Programs in 2015, when the program began. I’ve been NAIS Dublin’s Juilliard Dance Curriculum Specialist since the very beginning, before the school even opened, participating in a ‘get to know NAIS Dublin’ event at the Leopardstown Racetrack. Being on the ‘ground floor’ with the school has helped me to understand its many strengths and capacities very well.”
A Sense of Belonging Through the Arts
What does it mean to you to work with the creative arts teachers and students at NAIS Dublin?
“It’s the biggest treat for me to be connected to the NAIS Dublin community; I’ve watched it grow with great admiration. I’m in touch with your teachers and SLT throughout the year, with lots of time together both in-person and virtually. When I come for my yearly visit, it’s the warmest, most marvelous experience: teachers, students, and administrators all welcome me as a member of the NAIS Dublin family, which makes me so very happy and proud. The Juilliard work is rigorous, but there’s so much joy in the way that NAIS Dublin engages with it. And getting to know so many students over the years, watching them become increasingly confident with the performing arts, is the greatest thrill. It’s a testament to the schools terrific performing arts teachers, and the intelligent, open-minded, creative, collaborative students they help to foster.”
Where Creativity and Confidence Come to Life
What would be a “magic moment” for you when working with Nord Anglia students?
“You know what makes my heart sing? Seeing the ways that the habits of the performing arts’ studio are so deeply ingrained in the NAIS Dublin students’ approach to learning. To a student, they walk into the studio ready to work; they know that they will be experimenting, creating, collaborating, and having serious discussions about their own creative processes, that of their classmates, and the work of great performing artists which they see and hear in video and audio clips. The NAIS students are truly kind to each other, full of great ideas, and very perceptive and articulate, it’s just a joy to witness and to work with. The NAIS Dublin teachers and administrators, along with the devoted families who have embraced the school,have created an atmosphere of positivity and creativity that allows the performing arts to thrive.”
Encouraging Every Student’s Individual Journey
What advice would you give to students who are passionate about becoming performing artists?
“There is not one single pathway to becoming a performing artist, we each find our own way, which means being dogged in one’s pursuit. The road to becoming a performing artist requires lots of effort and a bit of good luck, along with an understanding that the road might be circuitous, but ultimately deeply rewarding; there is truly nothing so gratifying (in my humble opinion!). Success looks different for every artist, so being open to many options and opportunities is helpful. And my main advice is to have fun with your work: reveling in the ‘play’ aspect of what we do is just as important as digging into the effort.”
Looking Ahead: A New Home for the Performing Arts
Do you have any thoughts on the benefits of a dedicated performing arts theatre?
“The dedicated performing arts centre is a dream come true. It will expand the creative opportunities at NAIS Dublin exponentially and will allow the performing arts at NAIS Dublin to truly thrive. I am so eager to see the many ways that the school community will grow from this dedicated space. The team at Juilliard is very excited to support this endeavor and will be cheering NAIS Dublin as it continues to blossom.”
A Partnership That Helps Every Child Shine
Our collaboration with Juilliard brings more than world-class expertise all the way from New York City, it brings a spirit of creativity, confidence, and connection into daily school life.
Through this partnership, our students don’t just learn about the performing arts, they experience them in a way that helps them grow as expressive, collaborative, and confident individuals.
As we continue to invest in our facilities and strengthen our global partnerships, we are proud to create an environment where every student can explore their passions, discover their voice, and truly feel they belong.
