ABOUT US

What sets us apart from other dance schools is our track record.

Since 1983, when Ballet Theatre Ireland was founded, every pupil entered for examination by The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), London, has successfully achieved the required level and certification.

PRINCIPAL

Mary Gibson Madden, AISTD (Associate Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Ballet) & RAD Registered Teacher.

Mary trained with the late Joan Denise Moriarty, director Irish National Ballet (INB) and subsequently was employed by INB as principal teacher of the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, Cork.

She was subsequently invited to The Netherlands where part of her remit was teaching on the faculties of the state’s various full-time professional academies.

Returning to Ireland, Mary founded her own schools throughout Cork City alongside a full-time course to train professional dancers and teachers.

Throughout her tenure at the helm of ballet training in Cork, Mary has facilitated several opportunities for her students to further their studies abroad, including an exchange programme with the Vaganova Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia, with Arts Council backing.

Consequently she furthered her exploration of teaching methods by attending the school of The Maryinsky at St. Petersburg.

Many students have graduated from BTI to continue training at institutions such as Britain’s Royal Ballet School, Rotterdam Dance Academy (The Netherlands), London School of Contemporary Dance (UK) and Joffrey Ballet School, New York (USA).

With some forty years of experience, Mary continues to explore all the possible prospects to which her students might aspire, with energy, expertise and pleasure.