Passionate.
Our Story
How a double act
became a cast
of thousands.
Annika & Clare
5678 is Ireland’s biggest dance competition, with over 55 dance schools Audience's over 1800 Individual dancers It’s been a speedy rise to the top, starting out just over ten years ago as a reaction to the old-school festivals and shows that hadn’t changed format for decades.
Founders Annika and Clare looked to North America for inspiration, adopting and adapting the best bits of the stateside competition circuit. That was back in 2010 and 5678 has grown every year since. The secret of its success isn’t really a secret at all: a combination of high-energy atmosphere, stellar international judges and an inclusive, celebratory environment that rewards artistry, creativity and bold ambition as much as dance ability.
The founders are dancers themselves – professional choreographers, and dance school principals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a burning desire to fuel a passion for dance in as many young people as possible.
Meet Annika
Annika is a seasoned professional in all things dance. She has been in the industry as a student from age 6, a Competitive dancer from age 6, an amateur performer from age 10 and a full time creative and teacher from age 19. Annika is the creative director of Ajendance NI and one of the Directors of Irelands biggest dance events & Resourse 5678 Elite Dance Competitions Ltd. She has guided her dancers past and present towards World Championship winning results, professional performances and show creation, successful audition applications for Higher education in the arts and so much more. Her passion for creation is infectious and all she wants for all her students and clients is to bring out their true potential and help them feel confident in their own abilities as young performers. Annika and business partner Clare have a strong want to Educate everyone in healthy body and healthy mind techniques and will do everything they can to help their students become Inspired and Creative during their time at Ajendance.
"If we work together to lift one another we can become unstoppable"
Meet Clare
Clare started her formal training at 10 years old with Bright Lights Dance Group. Since then she has worked with Ulster Youth Dance, Ulster Theatre Company, Belvoir Players, Opera Northern Ireland and New Lyric Operatic Company. Clare trained in Performing Arts for 2 years at Belfast Met College, she also trained in RAD Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Irish, Highland, Drama, LMC Singing and more recently ISTD classical Ballet. Clare joined Ajendance in 2011 as a pupil and then alongside Annika introduced Ballet, Tap and Modern genres to the Ajendance timetable. She has performed in many different venues around the UK and Ireland Ulster Hall, The Lyric Theatre, Grand Opera House and Bristol Hippodrome to name a few. Ajendance is Clare’s second home and she loves nothing more than seeing the pupils growing in confidence, strength and ability. Introducing new techniques Alixa Flexibility, Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts has seen the dancers soar over the past few years.
Clare loves to see the dancers grow and watch their dance journeys evolve. Watching her pupils perform in professional events/shows across the UK and Ireland gives Clare the greatest sense of pride.
Learn More
Associates Programme
Our Associates Programme takes dance training and mentorship up a level, often resulting in an elite amateur or professional dance career.
5678 Elite Dance Competitions
5678 Elite Competitions bring together the best dancers and dance schools from across Ireland. They’re unlike any other festival or dancing competition, because there’s much more to them than just competing.
Official 5678 Merchandise
Top quality 5678 merch to wear when you train or to show your passion for dance out on the street. We’ve got hoodies, tees, sweats.
