Keira Martin

Who Am I?

“My access to art was via the family culture and heritage. Born and bred in Barnsley, I am a true Yorkshire lass raised by parents who were Irish Folk musicians/ singers. Dipped in this culture from birth, this gift has allowed me to evolve into the extensive artist I am, but this hasn’t come without challenge from adversity and elitism from society and the dance industry itself. My mission still remains to change the bias many working class people and artists face on a day-to-day level.

My early influences of dance started at weekly traditional Irish Step dance classes at the local Catholic Church for a total of 25p per class. Yearly trips to Ireland, folk festivals and community Ceilidhs all influenced my strong passion for cultural traditions and the old ways. With a musical and creative upbringing, I was performing in music and street theatre from an early age whilst also competing in traditional Irish Step Dance at International level. At age 16, I started my studies in contemporary dance at Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds) and further excelled in my artistry at the New School for Dance Development (Amsterdam)“

Educational Background and Expertise Supporting Curriculum Development

Keira is an interdisciplinary artist working across performance contexts in community settings and HE. Keira has extensive experience in teaching and facilitating experiences in dance and arts performance and community engagement. Keira is a Lecturer in Dance at NSCD and has contributed to curriculum design, module review and revision, assessment and feedback strategies, and sits on panels for guest artist selection. Keira’s research is within fields of social justice and working with Gypsy and marginalised communities. Keira has published articles and performance work in this area. Keira has sat on the Advisory Board for Yorkshire Dance and is an active contributor to community dance practice and advocacy.

Career History

Keira is an accomplished interdisciplinary artist, performer and maker based in the UK, combining traditional and contemporary arts and art forms.

Her established international career spans over 25 years around the globe. With an outstanding reputation for her skills within the arts industry, she has gained recognition in her field as a Director, Choreographer, Performer, Storyteller, Singer, Musician, Mentor and Facilitator.

Keira’s instinctive talent has resulted in her choreography being shown in some of the UK’s most prestigious venues including: Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her choreographies have crossed the globe to places such as Bermuda, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ireland and USA.

With a down to earth manner, it is not so much about the venue that interests Keira, but more about connecting with the people wherever it is she goes.

Professional Activity

Keira’s work is regularly funded by Arts Council England, alongside many other partners and supporters, such as Leeds 2023 and Fabric Dance. She is a Sadler’s Wells Wild Card Artist, associated artist of the Rural Touring Dance Initiative, a BENCH fellow, a supported artist with Leeds Dance Partnership and Surf the Wave, as well as assistant programmer of The Civic in Barnsley. She is a board member of Dance United Yorkshire and has sat on many advisory boards including Yorkshire Dance.

Keira remains a widely sought after collaborator as an artist and performer. She has worked and toured within a range of other artistic projects including: Yolande Snaith, Fidget Feet, Aerial Dance Theatre, Kompany Malakhi, Assault Events, Charlerio/PlanK, Biserk Dance, State of Emergency, Bermuda Dance Co, Nathan Trice, Dance Rituals and Spirit of The Dance, Jonathan Burrows, Bawren Tavaziva, Beth Cassani, Luca Silvestrini, Whispered Tales, Bare Bones, Yael Flexor, Nic Sandiland, Darshan Singh Bhuller, Sally Marie, and Vincent Dance Theatre, Channel 4, Maverick TV, BBC, Mobius Dance Theatre, Autin Dance Theatre, Wayne Sables Project, Sonia Sabri, Company of Others, Creative Recovery, Kofi Walker, Earth-Bound, Bent Architect and Slanjayvah Danza. Keira is also a musician in her own right and has collaborated with a range of musicians.

Continuous Professional Development

Dance Practice in Social Inclusion Training

Neurodiversity Training

Theory of Change Training

Supporting Students who Self-Harm Training

The Polyvagal System and Regulation Training

Decolonising the Curriculum Training

Decolonising the Dancing Body Training

Safeguarding Creative Processes Training

Research Interests

Fusing traditional Irish folk music and dance, contemporary dance, cultural diversity, politics and reggae.

Cultural Dance in the sector and within HE.

Single parents within the industry.

The mature dancer.

Kiera is currently researching and working with the Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) community for a project funded by Bradford 2025. She has been invited to perform in Dublin and New York next summer as part of a cultural festival for artists of the Irish Diaspora.