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In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Bethany Hayes, a graduate of the BA in Irish Dance. Bethany is an aerialist with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre and an aerial dance teacher at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre, Ireland’s first and only purpose-built aerial dance centre located in Limerick.

Dance students ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s Irish World Academy have the opportunity to undertake an aerial dance elective at the  (IACC) as part of their studies, which ultimately was to change Bethany’s life and career trajectory.

Bethany shares why she chose to study ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and how her co-op experience with the IACC led her to her current role at the national home for aerial arts.  

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm from Laois originally. I attended Scoil Chríost Rí in Portlaoise and completed my Leaving Certificate there.

I've been immersed in dance since an early age. My grandmother was a dancer, which is where my journey started. I then later joined the Farrell Caffery School of Irish Dance. I started to compete while still taking classes with my grandmother. 

I first came to UL in transition year to model for the Junk Kouture Fashion Show and performed in the University Concert Hall. That's when I fell in love with performing and also fell in love with UL. I knew then that I wanted to study ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. 

Why did you choose to study Irish Dance ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ?

I knew I wanted to study ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, but I wasn’t sure what. I was worried about what was ahead for me because I loved dance, but I didn’t know how to make it my career, or if I was good enough. 

I went to Higher Options in the RDS when I was in 6th year where I met the BA in Irish Dance course director, Dr Breandán de Gallaí. From then on, it gave me the confidence to pursue Irish dancing.

What did you enjoy most about the course? 

I loved my course because I really got to expand my knowledge and abilities in Irish dancing, but I also loved being exposed to so many different art forms outside of Irish dancing. I met so many incredible people that have helped me get to the point I am at now. 

The classes during the course were great because I really got to push myself out of my comfort zone. I also loved getting to know everybody over the four years of the course.  

What was it like to study ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s Irish World Academy? 

My experience studying at the Irish World Academy (IWA) was great as I was trained and taught by some of the best of the best in the Irish dance world.

Some of my favourite memories are definitely in the dance studio. During my time at the IWA all the Irish dancers were very close, and I always felt like I had a great support system. 

Studying at the IWA exposed to me to so many unique styles of dance, such as hip-hop, contemporary, flamenco and of course, aerial dance. I was also introduced to Pilates during the course, which I loved, and now in the past year, I have made a career venture into that as well. 

Why did you decide to take an aerial dance elective during your course?

One of my friends (who is now my colleague) convinced me to give it a go. I was a bit apprehensive because I was not extraordinarily strong in that way and I was nervous of heights. It’s so funny to look back on that now and think of how nervous I was of heights because that elective in aerial dance really did change my life. 

After I started taking the elective at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre, I managed to do my co-op there, and I worked on my training even more and got stronger bit by bit. Now I can proudly say it is my job. 

Tell us more about your co-op experience at the Irish Aerial Creation Centre and how it led you to your current career. 

I was very lucky to complete my co-op at the IACC because it wasn’t long after COVID hit. I also had barely any training in aerial, so I am very grateful to Sara Granda, the head teacher at the IACC, for seeing something in me. 

It was challenging work, but I loved it! I loved learning and even though it did take a while for me to really build strength, I loved the process. 

I learned how to teach by aiding classes and eventually started teaching one weekly class by myself when I was in my final year of college. From there, it just kept going and I began teaching full-time at the IACC after I finished college. 

This year at the IACC we were incredibly grateful to get the opportunity to work with the Mid-West School for the Deaf in Limerick. We’re currently in the middle of a project to help and show the students that aerial training is possible. They’re enjoying the process and the weekly classes that we’re offering. 

At the end of this project, the students will perform for their school and parents, and I am very grateful to be head choreographer for that performance. It’s such a beautiful and rewarding project. I can’t wait to see the end product with the help of the IACC staff and the students themselves. It will be fantastic! 

What is it like to be an aerialist with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre?

When I finished 4th year, I went straight into a contract with Fidget Feet, which supported newly graduated dancers. During that contract I was introduced to aerial crane flying as a part of the show. Although it was terrifying at first, the rush of adrenaline was unmatched, and I still get that feeling every time I perform whether it is indoors or outdoors on a crane. 

A huge highlight for me was when Fidget Feet asked me to join their new show to perform at the Limerick Riverfest Festival back in May this year. As well as being a part of a new crane show, we performed to thousands of people that night and it was such an amazing feeling to be part of that beautiful show. 

How did your degree and your time in UL help you in your current career?

My degree has helped me so much during my current career. It gave me the training that I needed to put towards performing, choreographing and teaching. If it weren’t for my degree, I wouldn’t have upskilled my Irish dance training and I wouldn’t have tried aerial dance.

The IWA and UL have shown me that I can make my passion into a career with hard work and dedication.

Does Irish dance still hold a special place in your heart?

Absolutely! I have taken a slight step back over the past couple of years to focus on aerial training. I continue practicing on my own as I’m not attending weekly classes like I used to, but when you train so hard at something it never leaves you. It’s a beautiful traditional art form that I will hold close to my heart. 

Are there any lecturers or people in UL who inspired you during your time in college?

I have so many people to thank during my time ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ – the course directors, tutors and the guest tutors who all guided me in the right direction that suited my style and my passions. They all played a pivotal role in my development as a performer. I don’t think I could pick one person in particular but I will always be the first to thank them for the training and guidance they gave me. 

Were you a member of any clubs and societies during your time in UL? 

I was part of Dance UL during my 3rd year of college and used to attend the contemporary classes and heels classes. The experience was great because I got to broaden my knowledge even more. 

Here ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, we’re known as the ‘¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced as a UL student that you would like to share? 

I experienced so many new things and met so many people. Aerial dance was a ‘first’ for me during my time ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ but also, I was never exposed to so much talent in one building, from the musicians to the singers and of course, the dancers. 

It was a first for me to attend so many dance classes in one week, to try so many new things and to meet tutors who I had watched on the stage when I was a child. 

We also encourage our students to ‘Stay Curious’. What keeps you curious and how important has curiosity been throughout your studies and career to date?

I think being curious about something is so important – it helps you learn new things about yourself and your abilities, whether that be in any career. My curiosity to new styles of dance and movement has been a crucial factor in my career. I will always come back to where it started but curiosity keeps you moving forward. 

What are your hopes and plans for the future? 

I have so many right now, but I really want to keep training and learning as much as I can. I hope to perform more and teach the next generation of aerialists and nurture their passion to get to where they want to go. 

I hope to continue gaining experience as a choreographer in even more projects. I love learning the behind the scenes of a production, so I definitely want to delve into that eventually. 

What advice would you give to anyone considering studying ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, and in particular to those who might be considering studying at the Irish World Academy?

My advice will always be to try and be open to new things because you never know where it will take you – especially in the IWA. Yes, focus on your practice, but soak everything up like a sponge. Network as much as you can and get to know people.

Try everything at least once even if you’re apprehensive because it could be the start of something very new and exciting for you. Also, be kind to yourself and be proud of yourself for pursuing your passion.