Hat-trick of awards for Dancezone Stage School
Moate-based dance educator and artistic director Sandra Julian has been recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland’s Dance Industry Award.
It was one of three awards garnered by Dancezone Stage School at the Dance Awards Ceremony, held at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Saturday evening.Dancezone also won the Musical Theatre Programme of the Year Special Recognition awards and the Inclusive Dance Programme of the Year award
Dance Awards Ireland is the country’s premier dance awards event and a prestigious celebration of the people, organisations, and innovations that make Ireland’s dance industry thrive.
Reacting to her selection as the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Ireland's Dance Industry Award, Sandra said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition. Dance has been my passion and my life’s work, and nothing is more rewarding than seeing young people discover their confidence, creativity, and joy through performing. This award belongs to all the students, staff, families, and communities who have shared in this journey with me.”
Sandra’s influence spans over 30 years, during which she has nurtured generations of young dancers at Dancezone Stage School, helping them develop not only technical skill, but also confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of performance.
She has taken her Dancezone troupe to stages nationally and internationally, with students appearing on a number of television shows and embracing stages of all kinds, from local theatres to major musical productions. Many have gone on to successful careers in theatre and show business.
She has also been instrumental in fostering a vibrant, supportive community across Moate and the surrounding areas of Ferbane, Ballycumber, and Athlone, inspiring countless young people to explore their talents.
Sandra cannot thank the community of Moate enough for their support and encouragement over the years. She also extends her gratitude to her Dancezone team, her dance assistant Rachel, stage management, stage crew, dressing rooms chaperones, front-of-house staff, costume team, and, of course, her audiences.
“Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, your passion, dedication, and love for the arts have made every performance possible.”
Dancezone Stage School was also recognised with the Musical Theatre Programme of the Year Special Recognition Award, celebrating its long-standing commitment to nurturing young performers.
Founder and director Sandra Julian said she was “absolutely thrilled” to receive the honour.
“Musical theatre has always been a big part of what we do it brings together singing, dancing, acting, teamwork, and confidence,” she explained. “With all the new modern music and trends, we always come back to musical theatre. Each child is trained vocally, in stage presence, and performance, everything they need to shine on stage and tell a story with heart.”
Each year, Sandra brings a new musical theatre scene to life, and it’s become one of the highlights of the Dancezone calendar. Over the years, audiences have enjoyed scenes from Wicked, Aladdin, Annie, Oliver, Newsies, Six, Jersey Boys, Moulin Rouge, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Starlight Express, and Sister Act.
“I’m so proud of every student, past and present,” Sandra added. “Their dedication, passion, and love for performing are what make Dancezone what it is. This award really belongs to them it’s a celebration of their talent and the joy they bring to the stage.”
The Inclusive Dance Programme of the Year Award also went to Dancezone, which has taken inclusion to its core, guiding it through the community of Moate, Athlone, Ferbane, and beyond, while also bringing it to the national airwaves.
To ensure communication is fully inclusive, Sandra taught the entire school sign language, opening connections with the Deaf community and giving students opportunities to form friendships beyond the hearing world.
The Athlone Down Syndrome branch, alongside neurodiverse students, thrives under her guidance. Their achievements are remarkable: appearances on RTÉ’s Operation Transformation, Guests of Honour at the National Active Disability Awards, collaborative videos promoting Love in Every Language, winning “Stand Out Moment” in Drogheda, and Overall Prize Winners at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.