What is Destinations?
The national youth dance performance platform Destinations is an annual celebration of youth dance in Scotland, which takes place at different venues across Scotland in Spring each year.
Destinations 2025 will take place on Sunday 6th April at the Macroberts Arts Centre in Stirling.
Destinations is a fantastic opportunity for young dancers to showcase their dance styles and work to a live audience at one of Scotland’s leading performing arts venues and gain valuable performance experience. It also gives young people the chance to come together and meet other like-minded young dancers from across Scotland. Alongside the performance, there are workshops and panel discussions, as well as opportunities for the youth dance leaders to come together and chat.
Destinations is the only Scottish selection event for One Dance UK’s Youth Dance showcase U.Dance, The U.Dance National Festival 2025 is scheduled to be
held on 25-27 July 2025 in partnership with Sadler’s Wells, at their fabulous new venue, Sadler’s Wells East in London’s Olympic Park.
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To take part in the Destinations your:
Dancers must be based in Scotland
Group must not include more than 20 dancers
Dancers must be aged 11 – 21 (dancers with disabilities can be aged up to 25)
Dance piece must be between 1 and 7 minutes long
You can submit a maximum of two pieces per group
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There is no charge to take part in Destinations, but groups will need to cover the cost of any travel, accommodation and/or food to attend the event.
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Applications close on the 19th of January 2025.
Destinations 2025 will take place on Sunday 6th April 2025 at The Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling.
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Applications for Destinations should be made by group leaders or soloists by completing the form on our apply now page.
If you or anyone in your group are under 16, you will require parent/guardian permission to apply. If selected, there must be a responsible adult over the age of 18 acting as group leader on the day of the performance who will be responsible for the health and safety of the dancers under 16.
You will also be required to submit footage of your piece, which will be used for selection.
Once applications close, up to ten groups/individuals will be selected for Destinations. The panel will watch the footage and read the application form.
The selection panel consists of:
Anna Kenrick, Artistic Director/CEO, YDance
Rachel Laird, Ind Artist / ex YD projects
Kate Duthie, NYDCS dancer
Ruth Walker, YDance board member
Jamie Jenkins, National Youth Dance Wales Head of Programmes
They will select dance pieces using the following criteria and ensure there is representation from across Scotland.
Demonstrates excellence in performance
Presents interesting and engaging choreography
Shows dancers taking clear ownership of the choreography, which is appropriate for their age and experience
Demonstrates respect and consideration to all (demonstrated through the appropriateness of performance content)
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There are strict legal requirements around music copyright for dance performances. This ensures musicians and composers are credited and compensated appropriately for their work. Groups should not assume they can use any piece of music for free – the rights must be secured, and the rules vary depending on if your piece will be performed live or streamed online. YDance are unable to pay to secure rights for any music accompaniment to pieces.
See One Dance UK’s Digital Music Licensing Best Practice Guide >>>
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Creative Scotland and The Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling.
