Rana O’Brien, a distinguished Turkish/Irish ballet dancer, teacher, dance critic, and researcher, hails from Istanbul, Turkey. Her unique heritage and exceptional journey in the world of ballet make her an inspiring figure in the performing arts community. Rana's ballet journey began under the tutelage of the esteemed Yildiz Alpar Emiroglu in Istanbul. Her dedication and talent were evident early on, and in 1980, she became the first Turkish ballet student to complete the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 1 ballet examination in London, achieving a distinction. In 1979, Rana joined the prestigious Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Company. Over the next 14 years, she graced the stage in a plethora of classical ballets, portraying roles such as the Blue Bird in The Sleeping Beauty, Lisa in La Fille Mal Gardée, Cygnets in Swan Lake, and the Doll in The Nutcracker. Her repertoire also included Giselle, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliette, Les Sylphides, La Spectre De La Rose, Prince Igor, The Fountain of Bakrhchisaray, Scheherazade, and Tales of Arabian Nights, among others.

While excelling in her ballet career, Rana pursued academic excellence, earning a BA (Hons) in Western Languages and Literature from Bosporus University in 1984. Her passion for dance and academia led her to London in 1993 on a British Council scholarship, where she completed an MA in Dance Studies within a year. She researched the correlation between Turkish politics and the formation of State Ballet Companies in Turkey. Returning to Turkey, Rana shared her expertise through weekly dance reviews in Cumhuriyet, a prominent daily newspaper. She further contributed to the arts as the Managing Director of the Istanbul Branch of TOBAV (Theatre Opera Ballet Foundation) from 1994 to 1996.

In 1997, Rana relocated to Northern Ireland and established her ballet school in Belfast. For over 25 years, she has nurtured and trained aspiring dancers, many of whom have achieved professional success globally. Her commitment to fostering young talent led to the founding of High Points Youth Ballet CIC in January 2011, with funding from UnLtd, The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs. This initiative was co-founded with three of her students, including Denise Rogan, who remains an integral part of the organisation.

The primary purpose of establishing High Points Youth Ballet CIC was to provide supplementary training for exceptionally talented and committed students in Northern Ireland. From 2011 to 2017, HPYB organised monthly master classes for students who were scoring high points in their ballet examinations. These master classes were taught by esteemed teachers such as Kenny Burke of the Scottish Conservatoire and Julianne Rice-Oxley of the English Youth Ballet. Rachel Neale, one of the local ballet artists returning home to take part in this festival, began her early relationship with HPYB by attending these monthly master classes.

Rana O’Brien’s remarkable journey from Istanbul to Belfast, her contributions to ballet both on stage and as an educator, and her continuous support for young dancers underscore her enduring legacy in the world of dance. Her story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the transformative power of the arts.