Mia DiChiaro is a contemporary dancer, teacher, and artivist. Originally from New York, she now resides in Ireland and delivers dance projects that encourage communities to explore imagination and empathy. She is currently working as Artist-in-residence at Fatima Groups United (2021-2023) and Richmond Barracks with Philippa Donnellan (2022-2023). Recent projects include choreographing ‘Dance Till Dán’, an intergenerational project fusing dance and poetry at Fatima Groups United commissioned by St. Patrick’s Day Festival and TikTok Creative Fund. The film has screened at six international film festivals and the project received three nominations for the 2023 UK and Ireland Creative Lives Award. Other recent projects include dancing in CoisCéim Dance Theatre’s ‘Orfeo ed Euridice’, working with the ecologically-engaged company Instant Dissidence, and sharing eco-dance movement research through talks and workshops across Europe with support from Dance Ireland, the Irish Arts Council, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
She received her dance training at the Ailey School and developed an interdisciplinary B.A. in ‘Performance and Arts Activism’ (New York University). After relocating to Ireland, she received a M.A. in ‘Contemporary Dance Performance’ (University of Limerick) and has performed works by David Bolger, Liz Roche, Lucyna Zwolinska, Jack Webb, Ursula Robb, Dina Abu Hamdan, and others.
As a community dance facilitator, she co-directs the Macushla Dance Club 50+, and regularly teaches with CoisCéim’s Broadreach, Fatima Groups United, Richmond Barracks, Dance for Parkinsons, and has joined the City of Dublin ETB Adult Education Service as a Dance Tutor.
Photo Credit: Lorna Fitzsimons
