Clarissa Michaux

Director and Principal Teacher

(M.A, LIDTA, ISTD RT, FUKA, RAD, HNC, HND, Nat Dip) 

Classical Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz
Lyrical & Contemporary, PBT

“The ethos for myself as both a professional in my field and a teacher in which I have instilled into my business ‘The Academy of Dance’ and within the training in which I provide is to bring love, joy and the passion of dance to all my students in every class held.

At The Academy of Dance we aim to give students belief in their own ability as a dancer and as a person – through learning, practicing, encouragement and a proper disregard for size, ethnical background or inherent skill. I as a person, professional dancer and dance teacher truly believe the power of dance is phenomenal and it should be available to everyone. To see a Community of Dancers developing in Kerry and many parts of rural Ireland and watch as friendships and a family element of love support and kindness develop is truly special and very unique in the world in which we live today and we are lucky to have this through ‘The Academy of Dance’ and its development”.

Clarissa holds A Masters in Dance Education from The University of Limerick.
Whilst also having a level 8 in Further Education from Marino Institute of Education Trinity College Dublin.

In 2023, Clarissa was a lead member of the IBTA‘s education committee, launching a new education short course in Dance for the junior cycle, with minister for Education Norma Foley T.D in attendance, and praising the work Clarissa does for dance within her County and Country.

In 2020 Clarissa and The Academy of Dance were awarded a Kerry County Council ‘County Award’ for their International Achievements in 2019 when representing Ireland in Spain.

2019 saw Clarissa train Team Ireland and go onto win World’s Best Choreographer Overall, 1st for Modern Dance Overall,1st for Lyrical Modern Overall, Best Overall Theatre Performance and 1st Overall Dance Mix at the International Dance Competition in Spain.

2018 saw Clarissa win A ‘Connect Kerry Women in Business Award’ -Winning the Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

She is a 2017 finalist for County Kerry in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year (IBYE) Award, a 2016 Finalist in the Connect Kerry Business Woman of the Year Awards and in 2015 she was also a Kerry County Finalist in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year (IBYE) Award.

Clarissa is a member of Network Ireland – Kerry Branch.

Her training as A Professional Dancer took place at the World renowned Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance – Brunel University London, under the directorship of Ross McKim.

After completing the 3 year course, Clarissa graduated with a National Diploma, HND and HNC in Dance.

Her other qualifications include: Qualified Teacher with The International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and is an Licentiate Member of the Ballet Faculty, Licentiate Member of the Freestyle Faculty and an Associate Member of the Tap Faculty The United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) as a Dance Adjudicator and qualified Teacher in Freestyle Dance, at Fellowship level.

She is a founding member of the Irish Ballet Teachers Association (IBTA) and currently holds the role as Secretary for the Association. A Registered Teaching member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) A Registered Teaching member of the British Ballet Organization (BBO) A member of UNESCO Conseil International De La Danse A member of The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) A Fellowship member of The All Ireland Dance Federation (AIDF) Holds A Diploma in Dance Exercise (IDTA) Holds a Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology (IDTA) Certified PBT Instructor (Progressive Ballet Technique) in Levels, 1, 2 & 3.

Certified with Irish Gymnastics in Rhythmic Gymnastics as a Level 2 Coach and Rhythmic Gymnastics Judge.

A Leader with Gasice the Irish Presidents Award Clarissa also holds her First Aid qualification.

Her previous training was at The College of Dance Dublin, under the directorship of Joanna Banks where she graduated with a Professional Dance Diploma.

Clarissa’s lengthy performance career has seen her perform with numerous Dance Companies in Professional Shows, Productions and Pantomimes, across Ireland, the UK and worldwide alongside stars such as Wayne Sleep and Bonnie Langford as well as appearing in television commercials. 

‘One of Kerry’s first ballerinas’

Ciara started her professional dance training when she went to study Ballet and Contemporary at the Firkin Crane Centre in Cork, Ireland.

She was then offered a place at Cambridge Performing Arts College in the UK, where she studied numerous dance styles and worked alongside the best choreographers and directors in the business.
Whilst also obtaining her Dance Teaching qualifications under the IDTA.

At Bodywork Dance Company, Cambridge, Ciara was offered the Outreach Coordinator & Musical Theatre Agent role.

For the next 8 years, Ciara taught & choreographed for various schools, universities & youth clubs around Cambridgeshire and placed 3rd-year students into auditions for west-end roles, as well as performing herself.

Ciara then moved to Leeds, West Yorkshire, where she worked as an Outreach Coordinator & Studio Assistant Manager at The Dance Studio Leeds.

Ciara continued teaching and choreographing for numerous universities, schools, and camps around Yorkshire.

Ciara then furthered her studies and qualified as a Personal Trainer with the Personal Training Mentorship Company, in Leeds, before coming to join The Academy of Dance team. 

Nadiia Sichevska

Acro Dance, Rhythmic Gymnastics,
Strength & Conditioning,
Classical Ballet, Lyrical & Contemporary

Nadiia is a Choreographer and Dance Teacher.

She also holds a diploma in Rhythmic Gymnastics and has studied Dance, Dance Culture and Dance Pedagogy in Education. Nadiia is a registered dance teacher with the IDTA in both Classical Ballet and Acro Dance. 

With over 15 years of experience working with children in Dance and Gymnastics.

Before joining us here at The Academy of Dance she previously taught at Rise up Aesthetic Gymnastics in Ukraine, as a Deputy Director of the VEP for Education as well as a Dance Teacher and Choreographer.

Her previous Dance Teaching saw her work as a Teacher at Modern Steps Dance School.

She has also worked as a Teacher and Choreographer with a Ballet Company in China.