ABOUT US
THE EIGHTY EIGHT STUDIOS STORY
About Us
Caoife Coleman & Nicholas Gilligan
FOUNDERS, EIGHTY EIGHT STUDIOS
Caoife Coleman
Caoife Coleman is the Co-Owner of the renowned Eighty Eight Studios in Los Angeles, California. With nearly 20 years of experience as a professional dancer, she brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to her students. Her goal is to shape the new generation of dancers for the competitive dance world while infusing her classes with fun, kindness, and compassion. Caoife began dancing at the age of 10 and graduated from Laine Theatre Arts London in 2007. Her first major break came in 2008 when she was the runner-up on the dance competition TV show "Dirty Dancing: Time of Your Life" on Living TV in the UK.
Since then, Caoife has danced for some of the biggest artists and TV shows globally, including The Grammy Awards, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, The Voice, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, America's Got Talent, Dua Lipa, Sean Paul, The Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor, Nicole Scherzinger, will.i.am, Rita Ora, Little Mix, Robin Thicke, Kylie Minogue, 2 Chainz, James Arthur, One Direction, Jessie J, Olly Murs, Take That, and many more.
In addition to touring and performing, Caoife has starred in commercials and several music videos, including "What a Man Gotta Do" by The Jonas Brothers. One of her greatest roles was appearing alongside Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya in the blockbuster film The Greatest Showman as one of the albino twin principle characters.
Caoife has had the privilege of working with some of the industry's most prestigious choreographers and directors, such as Brian Friedman, JaQuel Knight, Ashley Wallen, and Michael Gracey.
Currently, Caoife focuses on artist development, teaching performance skills for stage, TV, and videos. Her extensive experience working closely with the industry's finest has equipped her to become a skilled movement coach/choreographer and creative director for emerging artists in Los Angeles, while also teaching at and running one of the world's leading dance studios, Eighty Eight Studios.
Nicholas Gilligan is a renowned British-born professional dancer and the visionary co-owner of Eighty Eight Studios, LA's newest premier dance studio, which opened its doors on June 14, 2021, in the bustling NoHo Arts District of Los Angeles.
Nicholas's passion for dance ignited at the age of five. By thirteen, he secured a full scholarship to the illustrious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London's Barbican, where he refined his skills across a spectrum of dance styles including jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, breaking, Latin, and ballroom.
His stellar career features performances with global icons such as Whitney Houston, RUN DMC, Dua Lipa, Miguel, PINK, Will.i.am, Rita Ora, Gwen Stefani, Ellie Goulding, One Direction, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande. Nicholas's remarkable talent has been showcased at prestigious events like the Grammy Awards and on platforms like MTV. In London’s West End, he has dazzled audiences in acclaimed productions such as "Dirty Dancing" and "Flashdance."
Nicholas’s versatility extends beyond live performances. He has appeared in high-profile commercials for Gucci, Uber, H&R Block, and Guinness. Nicholas can also be see. Flexing his acting muscles in Netflix smash hits including RuPaul’s "AJ & The Queen" and Adam Sandler’s "Sandy Wexler."
In addition to his dance career, Nicholas is a passionate photographer. When not dancing or managing his studio, he captures stunning images of models, actors, dancers, and influencers such as Aston Merrygold, Luke Baines, HRVY, and Alex Kinsey.
His photographic work has been featured in esteemed publications like Billboard Magazine, Just Jared, FRUK Magazine, and Metro.
At Eighty Eight Studios, Nicholas leads three weekly classes where his dynamic energy, creativity, and unwavering dedication to his students create an unparalleled learning experience. His unique blend of style, personality, and positive outlook cultivates an environment where students can thrive and achieve their highest potential.
Follow Nicholas on Instagram: @nickgilligan, @nickgilliganphoto, and @eightyeightstudiosla
Nicholas Gilligan
MISSION & VALUES
At Eighty Eight Studios, our mission is to empower dancers of all levels by providing top-tier instruction, fostering creativity, and building a supportive community. We are committed to helping individuals express themselves through dance, cultivate their talent, and achieve their personal and professional goals in an inspiring and inclusive environment.
Values:
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Creativity: We celebrate the art of dance as a powerful form of self-expression, encouraging innovation and originality in every movement.
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Community: We believe in the strength of a vibrant, supportive community where dancers and instructors can grow together, share their passion, and inspire each other.
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Excellence: We strive for excellence in all we do, offering high-quality dance programs and personalized feedback to help every dancer reach their full potential.
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Inclusivity: Dance is for everyone. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, skill levels, and goals, providing a space where everyone can shine.
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Passion: Dance is our heartbeat. We are driven by the energy and passion that dance brings to our lives, and we aim to pass that on to every dancer who joins us.