Project Dance: Dancing Diaries hosted by Annika Drennan

From pageants to pirouettes, Mira Coral’s story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Mira shares how winning Miss Petite Africa at age 10, surviving a run-in with three Rottweilers, and chasing dance dreams across continents shaped her wild and wonderful journey. Expect laughter, chaos, and inspiration in equal measure!

What’s it really like growing up in the Scottish dance scene? LJ Halliday shares the wins, fails, and chaotic moments that shaped his journey, rom fake tans and Facebook tags to birthday cake disasters and early “retirements” at 16. Whether you’re a dancer, a parent, or just love a good backstage disaster story, this episode will have you nodding, laughing, and saying, “Oh yep… been there!”

Behind every flawless performance is… a dancer holding her costume together with duct tape, a teacher running on caffeine, and a mum praying the zip doesn’t break mid-routine. In this episode, Courtney Quinn shares the chaos, comedy, and confidence lessons that come with being a dancer, teacher, and mum all rolled into one. From last-minute costume malfunctions to raising resilient kids, it’s the side of dance you don’t see on stage.

Behind every great dancer is… a mum with a laptop that won’t load, a shipping container in the garden, and a never-ending list of surprises for the family. In this episode, Gillian Dugan shares about the real behind-the-scenes life of a dance mum—equal parts chaos, laughter, and love. Tune in for laughs, relatability, and a reminder that sometimes the biggest stage is the one at home.

From pressure to passion — in this episode, Anna McErlane shares her inspiring journey of returning to dance after burnout. She opens up about the emotional toll of the industry, the challenges of stepping away, and the powerful moment she found her way back. It’s a raw, honest, and uplifting conversation about resilience, creative recovery, and rediscovering joy in movement.

In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, Courtney Quinn shares her journey of balancing dance, motherhood, and personal growth while navigating family legacy and new passions. Tune in for inspiring stories of resilience, community, and pursuing your passions with love and purpose.

What if the secret to overcoming fear… was dancing right through it? 💃✨   In this joyful and inspiring episode, we sit down with the radiant Jamie Lee Meneely, who shares how dance became her personal power move through life’s biggest pivots. From moments of uncertainty to finding her rhythm again, Jamie Lee shows us that courage, confidence, and joy often begin with one bold spin.   Expect laughs, aha moments, and a whole lot of heart. Tune in—you just might find yourself dancing through fear, too. 💫

From musical theatre to stand-up comedy, Rhys Devlin shares what it’s like to chase creative dreams through uncertainty, burnout, and reinvention. We talk about the hustle, the heartbreak, and the hilarious moments in between — and why sometimes, the best thing you can do is show up, embrace the chaos, and do it anyway.

Join Louise on a joyful ride through her dance journey—from ballet beginnings to full-on Shakira vibes—and get inspired to move your own way! 💃✨

Join Kylee Vincent on a journey of motivation and movement! This episode is all about chasing dreams with unwavering focus and a whole lot of fun. Here, you'll discover how to tap into your inner dance power and achieve anything you set your mind to – just like Kylee! So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to be inspired!

Join Meg Somers as she shares her journey from a love-hate relationship with ballet to discovering a passion for teaching tap dance. Explore the challenges she faced, including burnout, and how she found fulfillment and joy in teaching children.

Join us in this episode as we unravel the fascinating journey of Alan McGrath, who kickstarted his dancing career at a young age, touring America by the age of 15. Alan shares insights on the importance of versatility in the dance world and offers valuable tips on booking workshops with him. Discover the rhythm of Alan's life and learn how his passion for dance has shaped his extraordinary trajectory.

Welcome to Dancing Diaries hosted by Annika! In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Lynda Wright, founder of the Lynda Wright School of Dance, to delve into her inspiring journey from a shy individual to a passionate dance enthusiast. Join us as Lynda opens up about her personal transformation, how her initial shyness became the driving force behind her love for dance, and the pivotal moment that led her to start teaching at the young age of 17. Discover the empowering story of how Lynda turned her passion into a thriving dance school and continues to impact the lives of aspiring dancers. Get ready for a conversation filled with wisdom, motivation, and the joy of dance!

Join Annika and her guests, two facilitators at the event—Lizzy Benham and Hannah Hornsby—and one staff member, Zara Janahi, who is currently undergoing training. Listen to how their first time in Project Dance was and how they discovered their love for movement. 

Embark on a rhythmic journey through the world of dance as Karen Birnie shares her story and unveils the beginnings of KBdancefitness. From personal passion to a mission of 'DANCE for YOU, DANCE with ME,' discover the beats that set her narrative in motion. Tune in to catch the vibrant origins of KBdancefitness and the inspiring groove behind its creation.

Dive into the enchanting world of dance as Neil O'Brien recounts the captivating first stage of his journey, spanning from age 4 to 21. Stay tuned for Part B as we draw inspiration from the main man himself.

Dive into a delightful conversation with Ruth Cobbards of Ards Dance Company as we share laughs, discuss unconventional tan-line solutions, and unravel her invaluable advice for the next generation and beyond.

Join us as Joanne McCausland, the visionary behind Dance Revelation, takes us on a captivating journey from her early ventures to the profound influences that shaped her into a dance industry trailblazer.

Join us in this episode as Emmet Stewart opens up about the sacrifices, hard work, and dedication required to turn dreams into reality. Discover the incredible rewards that come from paying the price on the path to success.

Dive into the dynamic world of Urban Motion with Jamie Fagan as we discuss their phenomenal success in the scene. Grateful for the insightful chat and eager to witness more greatness from this incredible company.

Join us into an engaging conversation with Ryan O'Neill as he graciously shares parts of his inspiring story, offering a glimpse into his profound dedication to the arts in Northern Ireland—a true pleasure for all enthusiasts.

Dive into the world of dance with Emma and Fiona from AR Inspirations as they unveil the transformative power of the Dancer's Mindset Journal, an ideal gift offering tools like breathing techniques and affirmations for cultivating a healthy mind and body in aspiring young dancers.

Join the fabulous Clara Kerr in a captivating conversation, as she shares her journey from the challenges of university life and auditions to the highs of touring in Swansea, emphasizing the resilience learned from taking 'NO's on the chin, knowing that the 'YES' is closer than you think!

Embark on the remarkable journey of Perform Festival as Paul shares the narrative from inception to center stage, highlighting the creation of opportunities for group performances on the big stage and previewing upcoming events.

Tune in as Jemma unfolds her personal dancing journey, imparting invaluable insights on building unyielding confidence, and navigating a self-driven journey towards empowerment.

Discover Rhys's journey and how his mindset fueled his artistic success. A young artist whose talent and dedication have propelled him from a budding prodigy to an artistic force.

Join us as we delve into Rosina's insights on finding happiness, balancing multiple pursuits, and inspiring others to elevate their skills and reach their full potential.

Embark on an enchanting journey with Annika, your host and a passionate artist and career coach, as she unveils her inspiring journey to building a fulfilling life in the arts.

Tune in and discover the next chapter of Rebecca's remarkable journey, filled with growth, purpose, and the pursuit of dreams that will undoubtedly inspire and empower you.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mikey Heath, from the initial spark of passion to the challenges and triumphs that have shaped his artistic path.

Join me for an inspiring conversation with the amazing Sophie Kavanagh, a professional dancer and teacher who shares her incredible journey and insights on how to embrace change and live your best life.