Meet the Teacher: Contemporary Dance and Creative Confidence with Meadhbh O'Sullivan
Meadhbh is a Rambert Grades Trained Teacher and a primary school educator based in Ireland.She teaches ballet, jazz and contemporary dance at Aedeen O’Hagan School of Ballet (The Ballet Barn) in Carlow, where she is passionate about nurturing creativity, confidence and individuality in every student.
Beginning her Rambert Grades teaching in 2023, Meadhbh is celebrating a remarkable achievement, recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 Rambert Grades Examination Awards, winning Highest Performing Examinations in Ireland in both examination seasons and students also achieving top 2025 Examination Awards.
Tell us a bit about your journey into dance and what led you to teaching contemporary.
I started dancing at age three, first with ballet, then Modern Theatre Dance at fifteen and contemporary at seventeen, training with Aedeen O’Hagan and Adele Mealey. After my Leaving Certificate, I completed a Dance Studies PLC at Inchicore College of Further Education, where a teaching work placement made me realise I wanted to be a teacher. That led me to a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Dublin City University, and I began teaching ballet and jazz at Aedeen O’Hagan School of Ballet alongside my studies.
At ICFE, under Dr Adrienne Brown and Mariam Ribon, and through workshops with choreographer Roisin Whelan, I fell in love with contemporary dance. Contemporary felt “right” on my body in a way ballet and jazz never had, and although I wished I had found it sooner, I realised I could be the one to introduce it earlier to my students.
What drew you to explore Rambert Grades’ training?
I had long admired Rambert Company and Rambert School for their movement quality and expressive work. I first heard about Rambert Grades in 2019 but waited until I was sufficiently qualified before starting the training. I completed my Level 1 course in 2023 and was immediately impressed by how the syllabus holds diversity and individuality alongside high-quality technique. Since then, I’ve completed several additional Rambert Grades Syllabus Training courses.
Has the training influenced your teaching practice?
Definitely. The training gave me a strong understanding of the syllabus and the confidence to teach it. I loved the collaborative nature of the courses and drew so much inspiration from teachers around the world. The approach is very person-focused, with an emphasis on each dancer meeting the intention of the work rather than everyone looking the same. That mindset has shaped how I plan and deliver my classes, and I can clearly see the benefits for my students.
What do you enjoy most about teaching the syllabus?
One of the things I enjoy most is how Rambert Grades honours the innate self-knowledge children and young people already have. This comes alive in the Creative Strand, where students can show how their minds think and how their bodies respond to different stimuli. I love watching them experiment, express themselves and take creative risks, and I’m constantly in awe of their imagination, freedom and willingness to be vulnerable.
How have your students responded to the work?
My students have responded with confidence, courage and a real sense of curiosity. Many had only studied ballet or modern theatre before, so contemporary and improvisation felt daunting at first. There is often a fear of “getting it wrong” in the Creative Strand, but over time they begin to trust themselves and the process. Seeing a student who once struggled with creativity suddenly let go and enjoy the openness of the tasks is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
How do you support students preparing for exam entry?
I remind my students that Rambert Grades focuses on whether they are meeting the intention, not on looking identical to everyone else. That helps them centre their own dancing rather than comparing themselves to others. I also highlight the integrated marking scheme, where strengths in one strand can support the others, which reassures them that their individuality is valued. Together, we work on feeling grounded, present and expressive so they can walk into the exam with confidence.
As a teacher based in Ireland, how do you see Rambert Grades fitting into the wider dance education landscape?
As a primary school teacher, I can see how well Rambert Grades aligns with the evolving Primary curriculum. The syllabus offers a space for children to express their thoughts, ideas and experiences through their bodies and connects naturally with Drama, Music and Visual Arts.
From a dance-school perspective, Rambert Grades gives students a clear understanding of contemporary dance and how it relates to other styles they study. Its clear progression across technical, performance and creative strands supports Irish dance students to upskill and gain a well-rounded contemporary dance education.
What would you say to another teacher who’s considering Rambert Grades training?
I would absolutely recommend signing up and have already encouraged several colleagues to do so. The organisation is professional and genuinely student-centred, and everyone I’ve worked with has been encouraging, understanding and supportive of both my students and myself. I’ve seen my students succeed in ways I never thought possible, and I’m very proud to call myself a Rambert Grades teacher.
