Welcome to the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland
As our 2025/26 company prepare to celebrate 15th successful years of dance, it’s the right time to refresh our well-known brand. Introducing a bright, fresh colour palette that represents who we are and where the company is going, we hope you love our new look as much as we do.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
We are now accepting applications for our new 2025/26 company
Applications are open until 21 September 2025
Auditions will be held on 27 September 2025, 12pm – 4.30pm, at West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
What is the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland?
Formed by YDance in 2011, the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland is the flagship contemporary dance company for Scotland’s young dancers aged 16 – 21.
Each year, beginning in September, a company of 12 works with YDance Artistic Director Anna Kenrick and Director Philippa Clark in a series of intensive weekends once a month to explore and create a new piece of contemporary dance for performance and touring to theatres, festivals and events. NYDCS has tours across Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally. To date, the company has travelled to Australia, France, Belgium, Ireland, Estonia and throughout the UK, performing in theatres including Sadler’s Wells and at prominent events like U.Dance and the Australian Youth Dance Festival.
In 2025/2026, the company will create a new work for stage performances to tour the UK. The piece will premiere at The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, as part of Destinations 2026, followed by a tour of high-profile performances, including the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as other exciting performing opportunities! throughout the year (funding dependant).
The work of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland aims to change the perceptions of what youth dance is and can be. The pieces showcase the dancers’ movement language, individuality, and thought processes to create a unique new work.
If you are thinking of pursuing dance as a career, there is no other experience quite like NYDCS!
“It’s an amazing opportunity to learn so much about yourself as a person and as a dancer. You get to meet so many people and have life-long experiences as one company whilst watching your hard work come to reality on stage” Aoife Henderson, NYDCS 22/23
-
The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland enables its members to:
Tour and perform nationally and internationally at a range of events and festivals
Develop personal technical and creative dance skills
Develop an understanding of who they are as a performer
Develop as individuals on a personal and professional level
Gain industry experience
Make connections with likeminded, motivated, talented young dancers
Meet and work with guest international, UK and Scottish artists and teachers
Take part in exchanges with international and UK youth dance companies
Be an ambassador for dance, YDance and Scotland
Develop fundraising and leadership skills
-
To become a member of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland you must:
Be aged between 16 and 21
Be from, or living in Scotland from September 2024 to August 2025
Be driven and dedicated with a desire to develop as a dancer and creator
Be able to commit to all rehearsal and performance dates detailed in the guidance document
You DO NOT need to be Scottish or living in Scotland, and you DO NOT need to be in full-time training to take part in NYDCS.
Please note that professional dancers who have graduated are NOT eligible to take part. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact YDance on 0141 552 7712 or email info@ydance.org.
YDance aims to be a welcoming organisation, inclusive of young people from a diverse range of backgrounds, life experiences and dance styles. We welcome applications from young dancers with and without disabilities and can provide additional support wherever possible.
-
There is no membership fee for being part of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland.
Rehearsals - Dancers MUST attend all rehearsals. Dancers must pay for their own travel and accommodation if needed for rehearsal dates.
Travel Bursaries - There are travel bursaries available to help with travel costs. This is an application process and information will be given when selected for NYDCS.
Performances - YDance will arrange and pay for transport and accommodation or re-imburse dancer’s travel expenses (second class rail fares or equivalent).
International Opportunities: 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.
-
17, 18, 19 October 2025 - Glasgow
15, 16 November 2025 - Edinburgh
2, 3, 4 January 2026 - TBC
14, 15, 16 February 2026 - TBC
7, 8 March 2026 - Edinburgh
12, 13 June 2026 - TBC
Performances
21 March 2026: - Premiere at Destinations, The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
July 2026 - U.Dance TBC
August 2026 - Fringe Festival, Edinburgh TBC
-
Click on the Apply Now! button below to complete the short form before 21 September
-
If you would like the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland to perform at your next event, please email Lauren@ydance.org or call 0141 552 7712.
