Oran Leong
A multidisciplinary artist in the genres of traditional Irish, contemporary
and aerial dance, as well as music, Oran creates original works that
cross over fields of theatre, abstract, integrated 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 now a qualified teacher (TCRG) and is currently studying for his adjudicator credentials (ADCRG). Throughout his childhood, Oran trained in voice, and later piano and classical flute. He holds a Double Hons BA in music (composition major) and Nua-Ghaeilge from Maynooth University. An alumnus of Dublin Youth Dance Company and Step Up Dance Project, he also 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 arts practice 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 both a pure and combined style, 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 short solo works which have been presented on multiple stages at home and across Western Europe. Over the past few years, he has deepened his work with audiences, collaborators and communities with additional needs, diverse bodies and hidden disabilities. 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 creatives through bespoke mentorship. Oran has been Fidget Feet's Associate Artist since 2022. In 2023, he was Dance Artist in Residence at Ballina Arts Centre, Co. Mayo. In 2024, Oran became an Associate Artist of Croí Glan Integrated Dance Company. He served on the Board of Directors for Dublin Youth Dance Company 2021 to 2026.
Oran’s artistic identity explores the use of objects, concepts of gender, the interplay of his mixed culture, and diverse artforms. In artistic 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 and music. The relationships that manifest themselves to form his ever-growing community are the driving force for his creating, sharing and experiencing movement on many planes in air and space. Motivated by people, he moves and makes - valuing collaboration, authenticity and having the absolute ‘craic’ through a vocation that brings him, and hopefully others, joy.