School Director
Nicole McDonald
Nicole McDonald MA, Grad Dip BATD (AF), IDTA (AF), ISTD is the founder and director of Steptacular Arts, one of South Dublin’s leading performing arts schools, proudly celebrating 20 years in 2026. Professionally trained at Laine Theatre Arts in London on full scholarship, Nicole holds a Masters in Dance from the University of Limerick alongside teaching qualifications with BATD and IDTA. With over 25 years of experience in dance education, choreography and performance, she has worked extensively across stage, television and musical theatre throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA. Her professional credits include performances at the London Palladium Royal Variety Performance, television appearances on Channel 4 and ITV, and choreography work across theatre and large scale productions. Today, Nicole continues to lead Steptacular’s productions and Elite Teams, with the school now recognised nationally for its outstanding training, productions and competitive dance programmes.
Aisling O’Mara
Head of Drama
Aisling is a Dublin based actor and graduate of The Lir Academy’s Bachelor in Acting programme.
She will next appear as “Renee” in the feature film Blue Moon directed by Richard Linklater, and recently appeared in The Dry, Haunted Harmony Mysteries and The Vanishing Triangle. Her theatre work includes productions with The Abbey Theatre, The Gate Theatre, Thisispopbaby and ANU, with credits including Somewhere Out There You, The Quare Fellow, SHIT, Poor and We Can’t Have Any More Monkeys in the House. Her Irish Times Theatre Award nominated play Next Please was staged at Bewley’s Café Theatre, alongside revivals of her own work Nothing But A Toerag. Screen credits also include Redemption of a Rogue, Cold Courage, Rosie, Redemption and Taken Down.
Róisín Currid
Senior Drama Educator
Roisin began performing at the age of three with the Billy Barry Stage School before training in Performing Arts at the Bull Alley Theatre Training Company. Since graduating in 2010, she has built an extensive career as both a performer and creative practitioner across theatre, musical productions and arts education.
Her performance credits include A Chorus Line, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Producers and The Witches of Eastwick, alongside professional work with the National Concert Hall, Buzzworx Theatre Company, Verdant Productions, Irish Ferries and the a cappella group Virtualoso.
An accomplished director and choreographer, Roisin has worked on productions including Spring Awakening, Into the Woods, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, School of Rock, Grease and Legally Blonde. She has taught with Steptacular for the past 20 years and has co written and directed the Steptacular Panto for the past decade, alongside choreography work for productions across Ireland.
Chloe Marks
Head of Junior Commercial Dance
Chloe began her professional dance training in 2015 and has continued to train extensively ever since. She has worked with Fly Dance Company directed by Kerrie Milne and META Training directed by Amy Ford, specialising in Commercial, Heels and Hip Hop choreography, while also training in styles including Jazz and Tap.
Her professional dance credits include the UEFA Europa League Final Opening Ceremony at the Aviva Stadium with Mass Movement Agency and Storm Creatives, The Gaiety Theatre production of Peter Pan choreographed by Daryn Crosby, The LCN Awards with Locked Creative and choreographer Johnny White, The Late Late Show with Spotlight Productions, Nathan Carter’s Christmas Special, and The Olympia Panto from 2015–2022 as a principal dancer under choreographers Ciaran Keating and Neil O’Brien.
Alongside performing, Chloe has spent the past five years teaching dance throughout Ireland and is passionate about sharing her experience, creativity and love of dance with the next generation of performers.
Zoe Walsh
Senior Dance Educator
Zoe is a graduate of D&B Academy of Performing Arts in London, where she completed professional training in Musical Theatre in 2022. In 2021, she also completed her UDO qualification in Street Dance and has since continued teaching and performing across a wide range of disciplines including dance, singing and acting through song.
Passionate about performing from a young age, Zoe has worked professionally across stage, screen and commercial performance. Her credits include Saturday Night Takeaway alongside JLS and Sam Fender, a London theatre production directed by James Keegan, showcase performances with West End creatives including Alison Pollard and Jon Emmanuel, as well as commercial and short film work. She has also assisted renowned choreographer David O’Reilly at Perform Ireland and is now a fully qualified Pilates instructor.
Zoe brings creativity, energy and a genuine love of performing arts to every class and is passionate about inspiring confidence and individuality in all of her Steptacular students.
Ben Walsh
Senior Dance Educator
Ben trained at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey. He previously trained at the Irish national youth ballet (INYB), and Steptcaular performing arts in Dublin.
Credits include: Swing in “CATS,”European Tour, “The Phantom Of The Opera” (International Tour), Pinocchio (Crossroads Live), Dancing With The Stars Final, Orpheus & Dance Captain in Hadestown (LTA Studios), The Nutcracker with Ballet Ireland (Gaiety Theatre), Better Man Film (Partizan), and Dance Captain in The Laine Show (Epsom Playhouse).
Ben also freelances as a choreographer across Ireland and the UK and often adjudicates for dance competitions.
Orlagh O’Byrne
Dance Technique Educator
Orlagh is an accomplished dancer and certified acrobatics teacher with a passion for both performance and education. Beginning her dance training at just five years old, she quickly developed a strong reputation on the competitive dance circuit, earning prestigious All Ireland, European and World Champion titles throughout her career.
With extensive training in Lyrical, Jazz, Ballet, Commercial and Contemporary dance through Phoenix Performing Arts College, Orlagh has built a strong and versatile foundation across multiple dance styles. She furthered her professional training with Taffee Training, continuing to refine her technique and expand her industry knowledge.
Passionate about inspiring the next generation of performers, Orlagh brings energy, dedication and technical expertise to every class, creating a positive and encouraging environment for her students to grow in both confidence and ability.
Sophie Daly
Dance & Drama Teacher
Sophie began dancing with Steptacular at the age of three and has been competing competitively since she was nine. Trained across a wide range of styles including Contemporary, Commercial, Lyrical and Jazz, she has developed into a versatile and expressive performer. Throughout her dance career, Sophie has received numerous awards including UDC Dancer of the Year for three consecutive years, choreography awards, and the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Dance World Cup in Braga. She was also awarded a scholarship to Tring Park Summer School in London.
Alongside performing in numerous Steptacular pantomimes and productions, Sophie has developed a strong passion for choreography, creating solos, duets and group routines while continuing to grow creatively within the industry. Currently studying Primary School Teaching at DCU, she brings enthusiasm, encouragement and a genuine love of working with children to every class, teaching students from Baby Ballet through to senior level.
Aoibheann Boyle
Drama Teacher
Aoibheann has been part of the Steptacular family for the past 18 years, with dance, singing and musical theatre always at the centre of her journey. Over the last decade, she has competed and performed across Ireland, England and Europe, gaining valuable experience both on stage and competitively. One of her proudest achievements was representing Ireland at the Dance World Cup, performing internationally alongside some of the world’s top young dancers.
A passionate performer, Aoibheann has taken on many lead roles in Steptacular productions and pantomimes over the years, developing strong stage presence, confidence and versatility as a performer. She also holds a Grade 8 Certificate in Musical Theatre, reflecting her dedication and training within the performing arts industry.
Today, Aoibheann loves sharing her experience and passion with the next generation of performers, encouraging students to grow in confidence, technique and creativity in every class.