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Introducing dancer Ghaliah Conroy: ‘The culture shock was crazy. Irish people often belittle themselves but the Dutch are different’
Contemporary dancer and singer Ghaliah Conroy: "I love Ireland but I wanted to get out and have different experiences." Picture by Rosie Barrett
Ghaliah Conroy will be in Irish Modern Dance Theatre’s The Wanderer on June 20 at Cork Opera House. Picture by Rosie Barrett
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Age: 25.
From: East Wall, Dublin.
New horizons: “I love Ireland but I wanted to get out and have different experiences,” says Ghaliah. Soon she’ll graduate from Fontys Dance Academy in Holland. “I studied contemporary dance and choreography. The culture shock was crazy, especially as a performer. Irish people often belittle themselves but the Dutch are different. They are very direct and confident.”
Listening to her gut: “I was studying vocals in BIMM but I missed dancing so I dropped out of music college and did dance instead.” Now she plans to combine her singing and dancing.
Ghaliah Conroy will be in Irish Modern Dance Theatre’s The Wanderer on June 20 at Cork Opera House. Picture by Rosie Barrett
Professional debut: She will be in Irish Modern Dance Theatre’s The Wanderer. It takes inspiration from stories of wandering and migration and runs on World Refugee Day, June 20, at Cork Opera House. “I’m interested in working with people from different communities and backgrounds.”
Background: Ghaliah’s mother is Irish actress Neilí Conroy, who plays Sharon Collins in Fair City. Her father, a musician and producer, is from French Guiana. “After he moved back, I’d fly to him in the Amazon for the summer. I speak French and Creole. It’s amazing living there. It’s a big part of who I am.”
Instagram: @ghaliahconroy
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