Studio 55 Dance Academy Arklow

✨ MEET MARTINA LYNCH — Owner & Director of Studio 55 Dance Academy

For anyone new to Studio 55, here’s a little introduction to the person behind it!

Martina has been teaching dance and performing arts in Co. Wicklow for almost two decades and is still very much at the heart of Studio 55 — teaching her students week in, week out.

Professionally trained in Dance & Performing Arts, Martina is a qualified teacher with both the Associated Board of Dance (ABD) and UKA Dance, with extensive training across dance, drama, musical theatre and performance.

Over the years, Martina’s work as a teacher, choreographer and studio director has received recognition both locally and nationally.

In 2025, Martina was incredibly proud to be named Dance Educator of the Year at the Dance Awards Ireland.

In 2026, Martina and Studio 55 have been named finalists across an incredible SEVEN categories at the Dance Awards Ireland, including:

Dance Studio/School of the Year • Dance Educator Award • Choreographer Award • Lifetime Achievement in Dance • Outstanding Achievement in Dance • Community Dance Project • Social Impact Through Dance.

Martina is also a double finalist at the 2026 Golden Dance Awards, nominated for Wellbeing Champion and Community Engagement.

She is a five-time AIMS Best Choreographer / Best Moment in theatre nominee, receiving nominations for her work on Seussical, The Wedding Singer, Sister Act, SIX and The Clockmaker’s Daughter.

Her previous achievements also include winning Best Small Business at the Arklow Chamber of Commerce Awards and being selected as a finalist in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur.

But awards aside, Studio 55 has always been about the students. ❤️

Creating a place where children and teenagers of all abilities can come through the doors, feel welcome, build confidence, perform, make friends and simply enjoy what they do.

No elite groups. No pressure to be the best. Just lots of opportunities, encouragement and a genuine love of performing.

Alongside Studio 55, Martina has worked extensively in musical theatre and has choreographed a huge range of productions over the years including Grease, Seussical, The Wedding Singer, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, The Addams Family, The Witches of Eastwick, Aladdin, Oliver!, Evita, Shrek, Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Jesus Christ Superstar, 9 to 5, Sister Act, SIX, Elf and The Clockmaker’s Daughter, among many others.

She has also been resident choreographer with Avonmore Musical Society for over 16 years.

Nearly two decades later, Martina is still teaching her students week in, week out — and wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤️

BOYS — THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! 💙

We’d love to see more boys getting involved at Studio 55, so for a limited time we’re offering boys the chance to come along and try their first class completely FREE!

Whether they love music, dancing around the house, performing, or just fancy trying something new — come in and give it a go!

No experience needed. No commitment. Just a chance to see what Studio 55 is all about 🙌

Dance • Musical Theatre • Drama
Various ages welcome.

📞 083 8282833
Message us to book your FREE trial place! 💙

MORE GREAT NEWS JUST IN! ✨

A huge congratulations to our incredibly talented senior student Ava Sheehan , who, following a successful audition and achieving the Leaving Cert points she needed, has officially accepted her place at American College Dublin to study for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. 🎭✨

Ava has been such an asset to Studio 55 over the past few years. She is a gorgeous performer with natural charisma and a real presence on stage, and has given us some brilliant performances along the way — including Rizzo in Grease and Miss Gulch in The Wizard of Oz, as well as featuring as a soloist in many of our variety and Christmas productions.

What has always stood out about Ava is how keen she is to learn. She works incredibly hard in every class, takes direction so well and is constantly looking to improve and challenge herself as a performer.

Ava has completed work experience with us at Studio 55 and has stepped in to cover classes in my absence, giving her valuable experience on the other side of the studio too. Outside Studio 55, she has performed in productions with Avonmore Musical Society and has attended the AIMS Summer School on numerous occasions, always looking for opportunities to learn, perform and develop her craft.

It is always such a proud moment to watch one of our students take everything they have learned and worked for over the years and move on to that next stage of their training.

Ava, we are all incredibly proud of you. You have worked so hard for this and we wish you every success as you begin this exciting new chapter. I can’t wait to follow your journey and see where it takes you! 💛✨

Another very proud Studio 55 moment. 🎭 x

We’re incredibly proud once again here at Studio 55 to celebrate one of our own achieving her dream 💫

A huge congratulations to Olivia Connell, who, after a successful audition process and earning the points needed has been offered a place on her dream Musical Theatre course at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting in London.

I’ve had the absolute pleasure of teaching Olivia since she was just a little girl, starting out with us in the small community hall in Avoca. I can still remember her running through the doors every Wednesday, full of excitement, energy and eagerness to learn.

Over the years, I’ve watched her grow into such a confident and captivating performer. Olivia has become known in Studio 55 for her incredible stage presence — she is one of those performers your eye is naturally drawn to, and she knows how to tell a story on stage.

She has taken on some brilliant roles with us over the years, including Dorothy in The Wicked Wizard of Oz, Cha Cha in Grease and a Dynamo in Mamma Mia Mania, as well as shining as a soloist in many of our variety shows and Christmas productions.

Guildford School of Acting is one of the UK’s leading conservatoires for musical theatre training, with graduates going on to perform in the West End, on Broadway and around the world. Earning a place on a course of this level is an incredible achievement and one Olivia has worked so hard for.

From that little girl running into our Avoca hall every Wednesday to now heading off to Guildford to train professionally… what a journey. ❤️

Olivia, we are all so incredibly proud of you. It was an honour to help you prepare for your auditions and a privilege to have played a small part in a journey that has led you to this very exciting moment.

You’ve worked incredibly hard to make this dream a reality, and I couldn’t be happier for you. I can’t wait to watch you take this next step and see where it leads you.

London won’t know what’s hit it! 💛✨

Olivia Connell Vivienne Connell # # #

🎭 STAGEFRIGHT DRAMA IS GROWING! 🎭

You’ve been asking, and we’ve been listening. ❤️

From September 2026, we’re hoping to introduce a new Stagefright Drama class for ages 7–10.

🗓 Ages 7–10 | Wednesdays | 5:00–6:00 PM

Our younger students will explore drama through games, storytelling, improvisation and performance, building confidence, creativity and communication skills in a fun and supportive environment.

And don’t worry…

🎭 Our Stagefright class for ages 10+ will continue every Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 PM.

💰 €75 per term

✨ Just €37.50 per term when taken alongside any Studio 55 dance class.

If you’d like to register your interest or reserve a place, simply send us a DM.

Classes begin Wednesday, 9th September 2026.

Thank you so much to everyone for all of the lovely messages, comments and congratulations since we announced our 7 finalist nominations for the Dance Awards Ireland 2026❤️

The support has been amazing, and I’ve loved reading every single message.

I’m still smiling. Thank you. ✨

✨ 7 FINALIST NOMINATIONS | DANCE AWARDS IRELAND 2026 ✨

I’m incredibly honoured to share that Studio 55 Dance Academy and I have been selected as finalists across seven categories at the Dance Awards Ireland 2026.

⭐ Dance Studio/School of the Year (Leinster)

⭐ Community Dance Project

⭐ Dance Educator Award

⭐ Choreographer Award

⭐ Lifetime Achievement in Dance

⭐ Outstanding Contribution to Ireland’s Dance Industry

⭐ Social Impact Through Dance

What’s even more special is that this follows five finalist nominations in 2025, including winning Dance Educator of the Year.

For the second year in a row, we’ve been recognised for:

✨ Dance Studio/School of the Year

✨ Community Dance Project

✨ Choreography

✨ Dance Education

After 18 years of Studio 55, this recognition means more than I can say.

Thank you to every student, family, performer, colleague and supporter who has been part of this journey. Every class, rehearsal, production, fundraiser, workshop and performance has helped shape Studio 55 into what it is today.

These nominations belong to all of us. ❤️

Thank you for believing in me and for continuing to support everything we do.

Here’s to celebrating 18 years of Studio 55 and another unforgettable year ahead. ✨

Did you know that at Studio 55, we’ve been making dance classes accessible and affordable for families since 2008? ❤️

✨ 50% sibling discount
✨ 50% off every additional class
✨ No term fees due until classes begin
✨ Classes recommence on 7th September

For 18 years, we’ve believed that every child deserves the opportunity to dance, perform, learn and belong.

Because at Studio 55, it’s never just been about dance. It’s about creating a place where children can build confidence, make friends, discover their creativity and feel part of something special.

We can’t wait for another fantastic year! 💕