Sandra’s Profile
A native of Moate, Co Westmeath, Sandra took to the stage at the tender age of 10 with Moate Variety and subsequently appeared in numerous productions with the Variety Group. Her professional career began at the age of 18 as she choreographed for local groups across the midlands and has successfully been doing that claiming many accolades over the years. She established Dancezone Stage School in 1995 and under her direction they have a long list of credits to their name. Sandra has produced Street Theatre production with entire town in Ferbane Co Offaly, Directed Workshops, Summer camps, several musicals in schools across the Midlands, dance programmes for both primary, secondary and third level students. Directed and choreographed successful productions for Disneyland Paris 2003, 2008 & 2018. Directed and choreographed performances for production in Saddlers Wells, West End London & Her Majesty’s Theatre London, home to Phantom of the Opera and were due to return to the Westend November 2020, now rescheduled. She has designed and delivered Dance program for Dept. of Education for primary level teachers, Summer Course, and Autumn Workshop 2010. In 2018 Sandra directed, produced and recorded with the School its own anti-bullying and sign-language song as part of Creative Ireland Crinniu na nOg Day. One of the big success stories for the school was the winning of the national competition with TV3 to have their own slot on the bill at the Cheerios Childline Concert. Sandra has trained in Edge Performing Arts in Los Angeles CA, Pineapple London and has Post Graduate Dip from University of Limerick in Dance.
MEET THE TEAM
Rachel Watts
Hazel Hughes
Cathy Fox
Dancezone Stage School are very fortunate to have a super team in place that meet all the members as they come class daily. Over the years Dancezone has always had an ethos of “giving back”. All class assistants over the years have been or continue to be members of the Dancezone family. Class Assistants Rachel, Hazel & Cathy are all super talented ladies who have graced the stages for 15+ years with Dancezone . They have all experienced the magical trappings Dancezone have to offer. They have all performed in Disneyland Paris, London’s Westend and The O2 in Dublin along with recordings for videos, cds and annual productions. They have had leading roles in musicals outside of Dancezone as their talents continue to shine. The girls have a huge passion for the stage and an even bigger loyalty to Sandra & The Dancezone family. The girls have a wealth of experience between them and as a team we work very well to give 100% at all times to the members.
History of Dancezone
Dancezone Stage School first opened its doors in Moate in April 1995 with a mere 13 students. It was the first of its kind in the Midlands area and has only gone from strength to strength over the last 26 years. Five years after opening its doors in Moate, it opened its branch in Ferbane, Co Offaly. In 2011 it opened in Co Mayo. In 1998 Dancezone became a constituent part of Moate Performing & Visual Arts Club.
The school and its members have graced the stages across Ireland from the O2 to The National Concert Hall and on TV screens with RTE, BBC, TV3, TG4, and the Country Music channel. They have appeared alongside Westlife, Olly Murs, Jason Derulo and Jedward after winning the national competition on TV3 to find Ireland’s Top Glee group. They were the national winners of Showbiz Tops.
The school’s local and national success is coupled with performances abroad in the magical theme park of Disneyland Paris (on 3 different occasions) and London’s Westend in Sadler’s Wells and Her Majesty’s Theatre. With appearances on numerous music videos and CDs for many recording artists over the years, it’s no surprise that the school has gone from strength to strength.
The annual stage production is a spectacular event that involves all members every night. It attracts audiences from all over the midlands and is the highlight for each student annually. Members start at the tender age of 3 and continue until they choose to leave. For many, they return to see the annual production and relive their own days on stage. The magic never leaves! Under the guidance of its Director Sandra Julian, the school continues to raise the bar.
Hear from our wonderful members past and present
Dancezone members are professionally trained to develop their talents and encouraged to use them to the best of their ability, while working in a safe and secure environment. This school also encourages students to develop self confidence and social skills as well as enjoying the wonderful trappings the stage has to offer
