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@dancelimerick is delighted to announce the five participants who will take part in the 16th edition of @stepupdanceproject

Aine kidney @ainekidney
Alison O’Shea @alisonoshea_dance
Mayara Pessanha @itsmayarapessanha_
Jyoti Soni
Martha Tribe @martha_tribe02

The five dancers will participate in a performance project with choreographer Mufutau Yusuf, developing new work to be presented at different locations nationally, including Limerick and Dublin.

Curated by Director of Dance Limerick @marywycherleydance and delivered under the guidance of Rehearsal Director, @luciakickhamdanceartist , the programme features a host of guest teachers and artists and is focused on developing artists as performers while recognising the creativity necessary in the performer’s work.

This year, the Step Up dancers will once again enjoy a placement with Luail during the autumn, giving them the chance to delve deeper into the company’s work, approaches to performance, choreography and creative process.

Watch this space for more on the #Stepup2026 participants & team. Read more at dancelimerick.ie (link in bio)

Step Up Dance Project is a partnership between the @artscouncilireland, @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy at the @universityoflimerick and @danceireland_di. Step Up’s participation in the placement programme is possible thanks to a partnership with @luaildance - Ireland’s National Dance Company

What a rewarding opportunity it was to see so many early-career dancers at the Step Up audition at @danceireland_di on Monday

The selected candidates will get a chance to enjoy six weeks of training at @dancelimerick and the @irishworldacademy with the Step Up team and guest teachers, participating in a performance project with Mufutau Yusuf as well as a placement with @luaildance in the autumn.

Listen to 2025 participant @ciarahannonn talk about her experience being part of the Moving in Collaboration Intensive with Luail at University of Limerick last summer.

Video by Scott Robinson @yulon.mp4

#stepup2026 #artscouncilsupported #opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #OpportunitiesForDancers

While we prepare for Monday's audition for the 2026 eidtion of Step Up, we take a look back at this year's participants and what #stepup has meant for them.

2025 participant Catriona O'Connor explains how the programme supported her professional development and gave her a "whole new toolkit of things" that she can use in her practice.

@catri0na__
Video by Scott Robinson @yulon.mp4

#stepup2026 #artscouncilsupported #opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #OpportunitiesForDancers

We are getting more and more excited to receive our aspiring #stepup 2026 dancers at the audition next week at @danceireland_di

In past editions, participants have come from a wealth of dance backgrounds. Listen to Step Up 2025 dancer @lukemaziarek talk about his experience coming from a commercial background and what being a part of this programme meant for him.

Video by Scott Robinson @yulon.mp4

#stepup2026 #artscouncilsupported #opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #OpportunitiesForDancers

"Step Up has really supported my development as a dancer coming back to Ireland after being away for so long and building those connections that are really important"

Like #stepup 2025 participant @sophieisabelgray, many dancers have trained abroad and are looking to come back to Ireland and develop their dance careers here. If that is you, Step Up can be the best springboard for your next step.

Apply before Thursday 20 November at dancelimerick.ie/news/step-up-2026-open-call/

Video by Scott Robinson @yulon.mp4

#stepup2026 #artscouncilsupported #opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #OpportunitiesForDancers

Have you just finished college and you are wondering how to start your career as a dancer?

Listen to #stepupdanceproject 2025 participant @alice_gavigan talk about how Step Up helped her “settle into the dance scene” in Ireland.

Apply for Step Up 2026 before 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟱 𝗽𝗺 𝗜𝗦𝗧

Learn more and apply at dancelimerick.ie (link in bio @dancelimerick)

Video by Scott Robinson @yulon.mp4

#stepup2026 #artscouncilsupported #opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #opportunitiesfordancers

Are you thinking of applying for #stepup2026? Take a look!

This year's team and participants tell us about their experience being part of the Step Up programme and the opportunities it allows early-career dancers in Ireland.

Beautiful video by Scott Robinson @yulon.mp4

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 | 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟱 𝗽𝗺 𝗜𝗦𝗧

Learn more and apply at dancelimerick.ie (link in bio @dancelimerick)

#stepupdanceproject #stepup #stepup2026 #artscouncil
#artscouncilsupported #dancelimerick #danceireland
#irishworldacademy #danceireland #danceinireland
#opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #opportunitiesfordancers

Oops, you missed that one! 😢 Applications for this audition are now closed, but don’t let the next opportunity slip away! Stay ahead & explore new dance opportunities at @audition360! 💃🏻

———
#StepUpDanceProject #DanceLimerick #DanceIreland #IrishDanceCommunity #DanceAudition #OpenCallDance #DanceOpportunity #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContemporaryDance #DancerLife #IrelandDance #DanceResidency #EmergingDancers #DanceTraining #DancePerformance #AuditionAlert #DanceCareers #MufutauYusuf #IrishDancers #DanceGraduates #Audition360

OPEN CALL

Step Up Dance Project is looking for five dancers born or resident in Ireland who graduated in 2023 or since then and who are interested in being part of a paid #professionaldevelopment programme. Dancers in the early stages of their career that come through other training routes that didn’t involve graduation are also eligible.

The creation and performance programme will include six weeks of training and choreographic process with Mufutau Yusuf @jnr.yussuf
at @dancelimerick and the @irishworldacademy, plus a placement programme with @luaildance - Ireland’s National Dance Company in the autumn.

The 16th edition of #stepup is curated by Dance Limerick Director Mary Wycherley and delivered under the guidance of Rehearsal Director Lucia Kickham @luciakickhamdanceartist, who also curates a programme of guest teachers that this year include Zoë Ashe-Browne @zoeashebrowne_choreography and Ryan O’Neill @ryan0nei11

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 | 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟱 𝗽𝗺 𝗜𝗦𝗧

Auditions at DanceHouse, Dublin | Monday 15 December

Learn more and apply at dancelimerick.ie (link in bio @dancelimerick)

.
.

@stepupdanceproject is a programme of professional development for recent dance graduates or equivalent early-career dance professionals in partnership between the @artscouncilireland, @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy of Music and Dance at the @universityoflimerick and @danceireland_di. Step Up’s participation in the placement programme is possible thanks to a partnership with @luail - Ireland’s National Dance Company

Photo of ‘I’d Like to Get to Know You’ by Philip Connaughton, by @lucatruffarelli

#stepupdanceproject #stepup #stepup2026 #artscouncil
#artscouncilsupported #dancelimerick #danceireland
#irishworldacademy #danceireland #danceinireland
#opencall #oppoclock #opportunities #opportunitiesfordancers

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

As the summer comes to a close, we take a look back at the amazing times we had this June-August period in Limerick & Dublin

Eight full weeks of growth, inspiration, challenges, new connections and hard work that paid off big time! Thank you again to all funders and partners for making Step Up happen year after year; to the brilliant teams at @dancelimerick, the @irishworldacademy, @danceireland_di and @luaildance for all your support, to Philip, Lucia, Fearghus, Ella, guest teachers, mentors, tech and everyone who made our lives a little bit easier and pushed us to give our best every time.

The Step Up team is already plotting away for 2026, so ... stay tuned!

Photos by @mauricegunnig, Brian Arthur & Adrian Butler

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Look at all these smiley faces ✨

Thank you again to everyone who came to see us last week, for your lovely feedback and support, and thank you to Adrian Butler from the @limerickleader for these photos!

See the full gallery here: tinyurl.com/2sbkjb7f

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick

Aaaand that’s a wrap!

Eight weeks, five shows, uncountable learnings, seeds planted, laughter shared and friendships forged

A million thanks to everyone who made this possible, from partners @artscouncilireland, @dancelimerick, @danceireland_di @irishworldacademy @universityoflimerick and collaborators @luaildance, to our amazing dancers and team @followfearghus @companyphilipconnaughton @luciakickhamdanceartist @elladginger, to guest artists, teachers and mentors, to everyone who came to see us live, who joined our open classes, gave us meaningful feedback and helped us grow over the past two months.

See you again in 2026!

#dancelimerick #stepupdanceproject #stepup2025 #anniversary #philipconnaughton #danceireland #luail #irishworldacademy #ilovelimerick