Laura Connolly
(she/her)North East Clog Dancer, Creative Producer and Ambassador for Heritage Dance
Through clog and heritage dance, I’ve seen how creativity builds confidence, community and hope. Arts and cultural expression aren’t extras; they’re how we remember who we are and where we come from. This special form of dance, with its deep roots in our region, has become a powerful way to connect people, and I am passionate about sharing the skill and joy of it with others.
Laura Connolly is a North East clog dancer with over 30 years’ experience performing, teaching and championing this percussive traditional dance style. She was the first to graduate from Newcastle University’s Folk and Traditional Music Degree with a major in Foot Percussion, convincing UCAS to recognise it as an instrument. Her work celebrates the deep ties between clog dance, working-class culture and the region’s mining heritage, keeping these histories vibrant for new generations.
Featured in BBC’s Come Clog Dancing documentary alongside Charles Hazelwood, Laura recruited and taught 200 beginners to perform a televised flashmob at Newcastle Monument in just 10 days. She has also featured in Vogue magazine wearing her clogs. As performer and creative producer, Laura brings clog dance to theatres, schools and community spaces, collaborating with musicians and artists to evolve traditions while honouring their roots. Passionate about sharing this special form, from precise footwork and musicality to its power for confidence and expression, she creates welcoming spaces for all ages.
Laura’s practice centres on participation and access, creating welcoming spaces where people of all ages can experience clog dance. Through workshops, projects and performances, she uses clog and heritage dance to spark conversations about identity, place and belonging, proving that traditional artforms are alive, relevant and hopeful.