Tradoodle Festival artist
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. Since then, he has become a qualified teacher (TCRG) and is in the process of studying to be a ‘feis’ adjudicator (ADCRG). 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 multi-faceted 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. Oran has been Fidget Feet’s Associate Artist since 2022. In 2023, he was Dance Artist-In-Residence at Ballina Arts Centre, Co. Mayo. Most recently, Oran became Associate Artist of Croí Glan Integrated Dance Company.
His artistic identity explores the use of objects, concepts of gender, and the interplay of his diverse styles.
In movement research Oran is driven by the spirit of curiosity, but it is not merely the physical feats nor innovation of material that has sustained his interest in dance. The relationships that manifest themselves to form his ever-growing community are the driving force for his creating, sharing and experiencing movement. He values collaboration, authenticity and having the absolute ‘craic’ through an artform that brings him, and hopefully others, joy.
