Clonmellon ballet dancer to perform in Belfast production of The Nutcracker

An inspiring young ballet dancer from Clonmellon is set to take a major step in her dancing journey this month as she prepares to perform with High Points Youth Ballet Company in their new production of The Nutcracker.

Armany Rose Thompson, a sixth-year student at Eureka Secondary School in Kells, has been accepted into the prestigious youth ballet company and now travels to Belfast twice a week to train a demanding schedule that reflects her long-standing commitment to ballet.

Armany first stepped into a ballet class at the age of six, when her mother Olga herself a former ballet student enrolled her with the McDermott School of Classical Ballet and Dance. Under the guidance of Trisha and Ruth McDermott, Armany quickly developed a love for the discipline and artistry of ballet.

“I started at six with Trisha McDermott in Mullingar,” Armany said. “Mam used to do ballet and she got me into it.” When the school later relocated to Kilcock, Armany continued her training there, completing all of her Royal Academy of Dance graded examinations and performing in numerous shows across the region.

Now working towards her Advanced 1 vocational exam, Armany has continued to build on her training. Since December 2024, she has also been attending classes with the Irish Ballet School, now based in Swords, where she performed in their school production at The Helix Theatre earlier this year. She is also a past pupil of Class Act Stage School, formerly based in Clonmellon, and is a current associate member of the Morea Associate Programme, travelling to Dublin monthly for additional coaching.

Earlier this summer, Armany auditioned for High Points Youth Ballet Company (HPYB) — a move that would prove to be a turning point. After a successful audition, she was accepted into the company and began training in September.

Now, she is preparing to perform in The Nutcracker at Theatre at the Mill in Belfast on January 23rd and 24th, where she has been cast in the soloist role of Madame Bon Bon. Armany is also the first student from Meath to be accepted into the company.

The production is managed by Rana O’Brien and directed by Adéla Lišková, and will feature new choreography by Volkan Ersoy and Murat Akaoglu, alongside contributions from an international creative team.

Rana O’Brien praised Armany’s dedication and natural artistry. “Armany travelled two and a half hours from the Republic of Ireland to audition, a journey that reflects the extraordinary commitment she brings to her training,” she said. “From the moment she danced, her sincerity, expressiveness and artistic presence stood out.”

Armany also spoke about broader issues around body expectations in dance.

“I sometimes feel insecure and challenged by the body expectations that are usually expected for dance,” she said.

“High Points Youth Ballet looked past that and saw my technical and artistic abilities. They saw my dedication and determination to pursue this career. It is my passion and it will always be a sanctuary for me as I feel I can lose myself in the music and express the love I have for dance.

“As many have said before, I strongly believe that all bodies are dance bodies. The professional ballet world is slowly changing and we now see dancers who look strong and have an athletic physique.

“I’m very grateful that they have given me this opportunity to prove myself and hopefully encourage other dancers who may feel the same way. I hope to encourage others to pursue their passion and not give up on their dreams.”

At home, Armany’s family say they are incredibly proud —not just of her achievements, but of her attitude.

While the training schedule is intense with early starts and long days spent travelling mum Olga says Armany never complains. “We leave at eight in the morning and we’re home around six, but she’s always smiling. She just loves what she does.”

Outside of structured training, Armany is well known in her local community for giving back through dance. She regularly volunteers her time performing at Active Retirement events, Christmas concerts, local schools, Killua Castle Christmas Fair, and St Elizabeth’s Nursing Home in Athboy, bringing joy to audiences of all ages.

She has also danced with the Elite School of Performing Arts in Kells, performing at popular local events such as Kells by Candlelight, the Samhain Festival, and shows in the Solstice Theatre, Navan, as well as performances in the Headfort Arms Hotel.

Armany credits her school community at Eureka Secondary School for supporting her as she balances her Leaving Cert studies with her demanding training schedule.

Looking to the future, Armany hopes to continue her ballet journey by attending the Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she plans to undertake a Bachelor of Arts in Ballet Education with the goal of becoming a registered ballet teacher.