A national youth dance program is helping young people aged 16 to 24 perform on big stages. This program aims to include dancers who might not have had formal training.
Many worry that creative opportunities are becoming too expensive for young people. This national youth dance company is changing that by giving performers without traditional training a chance to shine.
Opening Doors Through Dance
The National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) is part of Sadler’s Wells, a London dance theatre. It brings together young dancers from all over England. They recruit from many different backgrounds and dance styles, not just those with formal training.
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Start Your News DetoxThe latest group has 32 dancers from 25 different towns and cities. These places range from Blackpool to Brighton and Colchester to Exmouth. Their new show, Memory Keepers, started earlier this year. It will have more performances in Falmouth, Sadler’s Wells East, and Coventry in July.
This program is important because access to the arts is a growing concern. Research by London’s Roundhouse found that 87% of young adults aged 18 to 30 feel they have fewer chances than older generations. They want to connect with others, build confidence, and be creative outside of school or work.
The Roundhouse and the Centre for Young Lives are now leading the Young Creatives Commission. This is a national effort to increase access to arts, culture, and creative jobs.
Hannah Kirkpatrick, head of NYDC, said that representation is key to the program. This is their 14th group of dancers.
"We want young people to watch the company and see themselves," she explained. "It's the country's national youth dance company. So it's important that young people from all backgrounds, areas, and dance styles, including disabled and non-disabled dancers, are part of it."
Images: Elly Welford
Impact and Future
Since it started, NYDC has worked with over 12,000 young people. A 10-year report showed that nine out of ten company members continued with dance training or work in performing arts. Also, 24% of the dancers came from the 30% most disadvantaged areas in the country.
Michael Omoruyi, an 18-year-old dancer from Blackpool, shared his experience. He said NYDC helped him grow "not just as a creative but as a person."
"NYDC helped me perform on one of the world’s most famous stages," he noted. "It also helped me meet and become friends with many like-minded creative people across the nation." He added that "Cohorts become families filled with passion and love for our art and for each other. That’s what dance is about – bringing us together, with no barriers or boundaries."
Deep Dive & References
YFX Presents: National Youth Dance Company x Alleyne Dance – Sadler’s Wells East
