2023/2024 National Youth Dance Company of Scotland
The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland holds annual auditions to select up to 12 dancers who meet to train with the YDance Artistic Director and guest choreographers to create exciting and challenging new contemporary dance pieces. The company works towards high profile public performances representing Scotland on a national and international stage, and takes part in exchanges with other national and international youth dance companies. Auditions are open to dancers who are either from Scotland or currently living in Scotland and who are aged 16-21 at the date of audition.
GUIDELINES & EXPECTATIONS FOR COMPANY MEMBERS
Creation Intensives, Rehearsals and Performances
The company meets monthly for a whole weekend, 9.30am-5pm Saturday and Sunday from October 2023 to February 2024 to create the new contemporary dance piece. The new work will premiere in March 2024 then rehearsals and other performances at high profile events will take place between April – August 2024.
YDance will seek out suitable and often high-profile performance opportunities for the company in Scotland, across the UK and internationally. Previous NYDCS companies have performed at Sadler’s Wells in London, Dance International Glasgow (DIG Festival) at Tramway, Merchant City Festival in Glasgow and U.Dance at Southbank Centre in London, and in Nottingham, Salford, Birmingham and Leeds. The company has participated in Festivals and exchanges in Australia, India, Belgium, France and Ireland.
New for 23/24
DU Dance platform in Belfast
Workshops with Rachel Laird and Tess Letham
For international opportunities, company members will be required to fundraise and/or contribute towards the costs. Company members must be able to attend all rehearsals and performances.
Please check you can commit to all creation and rehearsal dates overleaf. We will confirm final performances as soon as possible.
Mentoring
All dancers in the company will have three mentor sessions across the year with the Artistic Director and NYDCS rehearsal director to support their development within the company and ensure they feel supported and nurtured. These are held on Zoom in November, March and July.
Dance ambassadors for Scotland
NYDCS members will be treated as professional dancers and as such are reminded that they are ambassadors for YDance and youth dance in Scotland. Company membership should be regarded as an exclusive learning and development opportunity for dancers and therefore a privilege. YDance requires that all members conduct themselves in a professional manner while engaged in company activities.
Costs / Expenses
There is no membership fee for being part of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland.
Rehearsals
Dancers MUST attend all rehearsals. YDance will pay company members who travel more than 15 miles to rehearsals a maximum daily travel allowance of £15. Rehearsals are held at West College Campus in Paisley. Please note that company members who live in Paisley or within a 15-mile radius of Paisley will not be eligible for the travel allowance payment for attending rehearsals. Claims will be payable against receipts provided.
Performances
For performances which take place more than 15 miles from the Company’s Glasgow base, YDance will arrange transport and accommodation or re-imburse dancer’s travel expenses (second class rail fares or equivalent).
Communication
YDance will use email and the NYDCS Facebook group to communicate all information including rehearsal and performance dates and times to company members. It is the responsibility of individuals to check their own accounts regularly and respond promptly to all correspondence. If you change your telephone number or other contact details, you must inform the office as soon as possible. YDance reserves the right to exclude company members who do not respond within requested timescales, or do not attend rehearsal or performance days without a reasonable excuse, or without informing YDance in advance.
For international opportunities, company members will be required to fundraise and/or contribute towards the costs. Company members must be able to attend all performances.
Dates 2023 – 2024
SCHEDULE
Creation weekend / Guest workshop
7 & 8 October 2023 – West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
Creation weekend / Guest workshop 18 & 19 November 2023 – West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
Creation weekend
9 & 10 December 2023 – West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
Creation weekend
4/5/6 January 2024 – West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
Creation intensive
3 & 4 February 2024 – West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
Rehearsals workshop
2 & 3 March 2024 – West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
Performances
16th March 2024 – Premiere at Destinations, The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
April / May – Belfast Platform with DU Dance
July 2024 – Project Y Evolution Platform, Tramway, Glasgow
July 2024 – U.Dance
Keep up to date with all the latest YDance news by subscribing to our newsletter.
