CHORA by Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company

JOU-HSIN CHU

Jou-Hsin Chu is a Taiwanese artist who pursued both her Bachelors and Masters degrees at institutions such as Codarts in the Netherlands, Folkwang in Germany, and Taiwan University of the Arts. Her artistic practice emphasises stillness, meditative physical movement, and the subtle gathering of life’s perceptions as sources of creative insight. She believes that even the smallest things carry the weight of existence, where beauty often resides in delicate, in-between spaces. Recently, she performed in Ring by Felix Ruckert and Lose Furcht by Henrietta Horn in Germany. In 2023, she co-created Dear Neighbour Das Komma / /, with Mana Hashimoto, at Dance Base Yokohama in Japan.

CONOR THOMAS DOHERTY

Conor Thomas Doherty is a performer born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He studied and received a BA degree in Modern Theatre Dance at Fontys Dance Academy in The Netherlands. In 2016, Conor started his professional career in Troubleyn/Jan Fabre, performing in worldwide prize-winning productions such as the 24-hour performance Mount Olympus. Conor mentors the Jan Fabre Teaching Group, and is currently training new generations of actors and dancers. He has recently worked for companies; Liz Roche Company, Angelica Liddell, The United Cowboys, Emma Martin United Fall and Irish Modern Dance Theatre. In addition to performing, Conor has been an assistant director and dramaturg for companies across Europe. He is also a creator, debuting his first solo, Never Learn in 2023.

CLARA KERR 

Clara is a Dance Artist from County Down. She trained at LIPA, achieving a 1st class BA (Hons) in Dance. Recent choreographic work includes Silver Linings commissioned by Macmillan and Line of Life, an interactive projection and dance piece for Maiden Voyage Dance. Performances include The Gate House choreographed by Michael McEvoy; Roots, choreographed by Eileen McClory as part of Belfast 2024 and The Belfast International Arts Festival; House! tour with Fidget Feet; and as part of a West End and national tour with Fairytale of New York. Clara recently founded Seen Dance Company, an energetic new dance company which tells Irish stories old and new.

SEAN LAMMER 

Sean Lammer (he/him) is an American dancer, choreographer and teacher. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School (‘19) and Walnut Hill School for the Arts (‘15). He has worked with an array of companies and artists including GALLIM, Richard Siegal | Ballet of Difference, MADBOOTS, Helen Simoneau Danse, and more. Beyond this he has studied and performed the repertoire of Merce Cunningham, Emanuel Gat, Twyla Tharp and Ohad Naharin. In 2019, Sean co-founded his own collective BODYSONNET in pursuit of bringing together a small group of inspired artists to create highly collaborative work, in unconventional spaces. Sean has taught internationally across the United States, Japan, Germany and Botswana.

TOM O’GORMAN 

Tom discovered his passion for dance through his experience as a competitive fencer. Born and raised in South London, Tom graduated from Rambert and later toured with VERVE. Drawn to work that is deeply physical and conceptual, Tom has worked around the UK and Europe with various critically distinguished choreographers. Tom was most recently a company dancer for Jack Philp Dance, touring Into the Novacene; and also joined National Dance Company Wales, touring Pulse internationally, and has performed works by SAY Dance and Marcos Morau alongside the creation of August, by Matthew Robinson.

HAMZA PIRIMO 

Hamza is originally from Uganda. He began dancing at a young age and was awarded a scholarship for pre-professional dance training at the prestigious Elevate Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2016 to 2017. Between 2017 to 2019, Hamza worked closely with the Soul-Xpressions Dance Company, collaborating with renowned choreographers from East Africa. This experience introduced him to new movement styles and techniques. From 2021 to 2024, he received a three-year scholarship at DansArt TanzNetworks, where he earned his diploma. During his studies, Hamza has had the opportunity to work with many international choreographers. A highlight of his career was his participation as a dancer in the East African Bolero, choreographed by Weasley Ruzibiza.

ROSIE STEBBING

Originally from Kildare, Rosie trained at ArtEZ Institute of the Arts (NL) and joined Holstebro Dansekompagni (DK) as an apprentice dancer during the final year of her studies. After graduating in 2021 she returned to Ireland where she has worked and performed with a range of companies and choreographers including CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Luke Murphy/Attic Projects, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre, Sparsile Collective and Emily Aoibheann. She has also presented her own choreographic work at Dublin Fringe Festival, What Next Festival and the Irish Youth Dance Festival.

MEGHAN STEVENS 

Meghan Stevens was born in London and completed her formal training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, before joining VERVE21. She went on to join Russell Maliphant Dance Company, performing works Silent Lines and Vortex, touring both in the UK and internationally. Following this, Meghan joined Balletboyz to perform England On Fire at Sadler’s Wells, working with choreographers Thick & Tight, Shelly Maxwell, Edd Arnold, Ola Ince and Holly Blakey. She later toured Into The Novacene by Jack Philp Dance. Meghan’s practice is deeply influenced by her interest in fine art. She is excited to explore the beautiful coastline of Ireland and begin a new chapter with Luail.