Miss Monica Loughman
Miss Monica Loughman is Ireland’s prima ballerina, a teacher, a writer, a TV personality, founder and director of Monica Loughman Elite Ballet and the Academy of Russian Ballet, and most importantly a mother herself.
She was the first westerner to achieve solo status with the Perm State Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Russia, where she danced for 14 years.
Back in Ireland she established the first full time training programme for professional ballet dancers, creating a ballet company herself with a progression to then creating a youth company (Irish Youth Russian Ballet) and then Monica Loughman Elite Ballet.
Monica has now created Ireland’s largest structure of ballet training schools.
Monica starred in ‘Ballet Chancers’ in 2008, turning 6 young people, schooled in hip hop into ballet dancers. Then in 2014 Monica worked alongside Wayne Sleep for the Channel 4 series ‘Big Ballet’. Where she worked with a troupe of plus sized amateur dancers to realise their dreams of performing Swan Lake. Other TV credits include Dustin's Daily News, The Podge and Rodge Show, The Café, Tubridy Tonight, The Panel Ireland AM and the Late Late Show.
In 2004 Monica released her book ‘Irish Ballerina’ which discusses her childhood Russian experiences. This is available to download here.
Monica teaches The Professional Division classes here at Monica Loughman Elite Ballet. She also teaches private 1 on 1 lessons.
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Quote from Miss Monica - “I am mainly driven by the fact that no young person should have to leave their family home so young to attain the highest standards in ballet. I am determined and committed to keeping our dancers at the same peak level as their international peers, all whilst being at home in the family unit. As a retired professional ballet dancer, I know exactly what is required from the student to become a fully employable ballet dancer. I pride myself on my skill set of being able to turn ‘older’ beginners into fully fledged ballet dancers. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Miss Monica