Siobhan O'Connell

Siobhan discovered her passion for teaching social dance after taking up bachata herself at age 31. She was looking for a way to stay active and meet people. What started as a personal hobby became a calling.

Over the following years, she completed formal training in adult education through the University of Limerick and developed expertise in bachata and salsa through the International Dance Teachers Association. But the turning point came when she noticed something: there were barely any beginner programs designed specifically for people over 45.

That gap bothered her. She'd met so many mature adults who felt intimidated by dance classes filled with younger people. They worried they'd be too stiff, too slow, or too old to learn. So she set out to change that.

Working in community halls across Waterford and Wexford, she's spent the last 14 years teaching over 800 mature learners. She's developed beginner curricula, mentored instructors in age-appropriate teaching methods, and established partnerships with dance schools throughout both counties. Her students don't just learn steps — they build confidence, make genuine friendships, and discover that it's never too late to learn something new.

As Senior Dance Education Specialist at Zaltex Ltd, Siobhan combines her on-the-ground teaching experience with evidence-based research into how dance benefits older adults. She's seen the transformation firsthand: people who thought they had no rhythm suddenly discovering rhythm within themselves. People who were isolated finding community. People who believed their body couldn't move that way proving themselves wrong.

Her teaching philosophy is simple: realistic progressions matter more than flashy choreography. Clear instruction beats complicated combinations. And a welcoming environment without judgment changes everything.