Arklow dance teacher Martina Lynch, founder of Studio 55 Dance Academy, has been named Best Choreographer in Ireland at the Dance Awards Ireland 2026.
The awards were held at the Mansion House in Dublin on Saturday, 24th October. The win follows Martina’s success at the same awards in 2025, when she was named Dance Educator of the Year.
It was a standout night for the Arklow academy. Studio 55 Dance Academy was also named runner-up in six other categories, giving it seven national award nominations in total this year.
Martina founded Studio 55 in Arklow in 2008 and has spent the last 18 years teaching dance and performing arts to local children and teenagers. A professionally trained dancer and qualified teacher, she studied at Merseyside Dance & Drama Centre in Liverpool before returning to Ireland to build her career in dance education and choreography.
Outside the studio, Martina has built a strong career in musical theatre. She has received five nominations for Best Choreographer at the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards and has worked as resident choreographer with Avonmore Musical Society for more than 16 years. Speaking after the win, Martina said:
“To receive this award is such an incredible honour. Dance has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and to be recognised nationally for something I genuinely love doing means so much.”
“Having won Dance Educator of the Year last year, I never imagined I’d be returning just one year later to receive the Choreographer Award.”
Martina also paid tribute to her students and the studio:
“I’m also incredibly proud of Studio 55 being recognised across so many categories. I’ve always believed that dance should be for everyone, and giving young people the confidence to express themselves, develop their talents and enjoy performing has always been at the heart of what I do.”
She attended the ceremony with her husband Johnny, studio assistant Natasha and friend Els.
With two national awards in two years, the latest win is another proud milestone for Martina and Studio 55, which continues to play an important role in the local performing arts community.