Oran Leong

Oran Leong

A multidisciplinary dance artist in the genres of traditional Irish, contemporary and aerial dance, Oran creates original works that cross over fields of theatre, abstract and spectacle performance.  Oran’s movement journey began at the innocent age of 6 when he mistook an Irish dance class for breakdance. Nevertheless he returned and competed for 18 years, winning three World Championship titles amongst numerous other regional and national championships. He is also a qualified teacher (TCRG). 

An alumnus of Dublin Youth Dance Company and Step Up Dance Project, he holds an MA in Contemporary Dance Performance from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. During that time he met Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre, which has been crucial to his aerial practice. Oran proudly acknowledges his movement as homegrown – being one of the few Irish-born dancers to have never studied abroad.

Working for a number of Irish and international companies in his variety of dance styles, Oran has also been Assistant Artistic Director of Laois Youth Dance Ensemble and was the backstage presenter for TG4’s dance show ‘An Ríl Deal’. He has created his own solo dance works, which have been presented at multiple Irish festivals and events, Lisbon Dance Platform and Project Dance Paris.

Oran has successfully received Arts Council Ireland awards in the Traditional Arts, Dance and Circus disciplines to develop his multifaceted practice, and offers his accumulated knowledge to other dancers and aerialists through mentorship. In 2020, he received Dance Ireland’s HATCH Award under the mentorship of Fearghus Ó Conchúir. Currently, Oran is Fidget Feet’s Associate Artist and Dance Artist-In-Residence at Ballina Arts Centre.