Six youth dance groups from across Scotland have been selected to have their work showcased this July in the U.Dance Digital Dance Festival 2020.
RCS Junior Contemporary Dancers, Abhinaya Dance Academy, Overdrive (all Glasgow), Ihayami (Edinburgh), Danscentre and Fusion Youth Dance Company (both Aberdeen), will join the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland in representing the nation in the online festival from industry body One Dance UK.
The groups were selected when they performed at the national youth dance performance platform YDance Destinations, in Stirling back in early March. YDance (Scottish Youth Dance) – the award-winning national dance organisation for children and young people in Scotland – had partnered with One Dance UK to offer groups from Scotland the chance to perform at U.Dance 2020, which was due to take place at Tramway in Glasgow this summer. The festival would have seen 800 young people from across the UK come together to take part in a weekend of performances, workshops and information sessions. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, One Dance UK has moved its celebrated U.Dance festival to an online format. The six groups will now see their performances streamed online to audiences throughout the UK.
U.Dance Digital 2020 will be held from 17-19 July 2020 and accessed for free. Aspiring dancers can expect professional dance masterclasses in a wide range of styles featuring artists from the UK’s leading dance companies, choreography challenges, industry and career information sessions packed with practical advice and tips from leaders in their field, dance showcases and much more. This exciting celebration of youth dance is aimed at dancers aged 11 – 19 years – up to 25 if the participant has a disability – and their teachers and group leaders.
Anna Kenrick, YDance Artistic Director, said:
“Youth dance in Scotland is thriving and a much-needed sector in these challenging times, bringing people and communities together either in virtual studios or theatres. Young people are keeping mentally and physically healthy through dance so I am very pleased that our Scottish youth dance companies and NYDCS will still get to show their dedication and amazing work as part of U.Dance Digital 2020.”
Laura Nicholson, Head of Children and Young People’s Dance at One Dance UK, said:
“The U.Dance National Festival is a highlight of the year for many eager young dancers. At this challenging time, it is more important than ever that we recognise the many physical, mental and creative benefits of dance. U.Dance Digital 2020 aims to celebrate the diverse range and quality of dance taking place across the UK and to allow young people to come together to celebrate their passion for dance.”
To sign up for information about U.Dance Digital 2020, email u.dance@onedanceuk.org.
