Our Story
Killester School of Ballet was established in 1974 by Ann Coffey, to offer classes to children and young people in the Classical ballet syllabi, both graded and vocational of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), the vocational Classical syllabus of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and the Modern Theatre Dance syllabus , both graded and vocational of the ISTD. Ann’s wish was not just to share the happiness that dance can give , but , through dance, to nurture, encourage and help young people to become competent, confident and enriched by their dancing experience. For 25 years, its home was in the Judo Hall, in Abbeyfield, Killester and many hundreds of students were trained and examined in this landmark building. In September 2004, the school moved into its new home at St. Brigid’s Parish Resource Centre. The centre is beautifully situated beside the peace garden and has excellent facilities.
As more of her students were taking their dance studies to vocational level, Ann decided in 2002 , to expand the Modern Theatre branch of the school and invited Sarah Brophy (now Keany) to teach this work at all levels. Meanwhile, Ann’s daughter, Lisa completed her teacher training in both Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance at Inchicore College, Dublin. She then went on to study Contemporary Dance at Trinity Laban, Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre in 2010 before returning to the school to teach Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance. Ann has acted as Mentor for a number of her most advanced students undertaking the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS). It is Ann’s vision that, with a close knit family of teachers, the unique ethos of the school will continue far into the future.
