A.I.S.T.D. / A.I.D.T.A Est., 1988
Old Bridge, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91TX64
&
No.1 North Quay, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary
ABOUT US
Alison Cronin Dance Academy opened in September 1988, with its main objectives being to offer children and teenagers a professional training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern Theatre, Tap, Contemporary and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in a fun and safe environment. All Students are encouraged to reach their full potential, build their confidence and creative skills. Students are given opportunities to perform in our annual shows and local performances including Charity Events, Fashion Shows and Festive Occasions. Students are also prepared for Ballet Examinations with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (I.S.T.D), an internationally recognised professional teaching organisation.
Our highly trained and qualified teachers have a wealth of experience in teaching and performing. We have a passion for the art of dance and for helping others discover their inner dancer.
MEET THE TEAM
Behind every dancer who believes in themselves, is a teacher who believed in them first.
Our teaching team is passionate about the development of dance and performance in Ireland. Our aim is to encourage our students to gain an understanding and appreciation of dance in a safe, friendly, relaxed environment under the guidance of professionally trained and qualified teachers. Continue browsing our team profiles below to learn more.
ALISON CRONIN
Dance Teacher
Ballet A.I.S.T.D / A.I.D.T.A
Alison’s early dancing days began at the Dorothy Marshall School of Dancing in London. Having relocated to Ireland with her family Alison was accepted into the Irish National College of Dance which was affiliated to the Dublin City Ballet Company. During her time at National College of Dance her performance credits included; ‘Nutcracker Ballet Suite’ The Olympia Theatre, ‘Les Sylphides’ The Pavillion Theatre, and various promotional events and fashion shows.
Following this Alison was offered a scholarship to train with Joan Denise Moriarty at her Cork School and the opportunity to perform with The Cork Ballet Company where her credits included; ‘Snow Ballet Queen’ and ‘Night of Stars’ Cork Opera House. Alison then decided to audition for full-time dance training in England and was offered a place at Northern Ballet School in Manchester, where she studied for three years on the teacher training course where she gained her qualifications. This course covered all aspects of dance and subjects such as; Ballet, National Dance, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap, as well as teacher training classes, child development, anatomy, history of dance, dance notation, music theory and drama. During her training Alison was also given the opportunity to perform in several productions with Northern Ballet Theatre Company, the most memorable being Swan Lake with Rudolf Nureyev as the principal soloist.
Alison graduated from the Northern Ballet School with a teacher training diploma in Imperial Ballet, Modern and National Dance in affiliation with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
Alison regularly attends course with the I.S.T.D to enhance her continuous professional development.
JESSICA STOKES
Dance Teacher
B.A. (Hons), Dip. D.D.E. Imperial Ballet, D.D.E. Modern Theatre
Ballet / Jazz / Contemporary/ PBT
Jessica began her training at the age of 3 under the guidance of her mum, Alison Cronin. At the age of eighteen Jessica was accepted into the Internationally renowned Bird College Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre in London where she studied for four years. Whilst training Jessica performed in various productions including “Kristine Urich, A Chorus Line” Bird College, “Roxie Hart, Chicago” Bird College and “Daisy, Cirque” at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Jessica graduated from Bird College in 2016 with a Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre.
Following on from this, Jessica furthered her qualifications, gaining a B.A Hons Degree in Professional Practice of Arts specialising in Dance at Middlesex University. After moving back to Ireland, she began teaching for Dara Pierce at The Ballet Academy Wexford and Lucy French School of Dance Kinsale. In 2019 Jessica became a certified Progressing Ballet Technique Instructor, in 2021 a certified Acrobatic Arts Teacher, and in May 2023 Jessica gained her D.D.E. (Diploma in Dance Education) in Imperial Ballet and Modern Theatre with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
Jessica regularly attends courses at the prestigious Royal Ballet School and has also been mentored by Rosina Andrews, the author of Pirouette & Leap Surgery, to continually improve her professional development. She currently teaches Ballet, Jazz, Modern Theatre, Contemporary and Movement & Mobility at Alison Cronin Dance Academy.