The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland (NYDCS)
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.
The company of 12 work 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 at theatres, festivals and events.
In 2023/2024 the company will create a new work for stage performances which will tour to the UK and abroad. Currently the company will premiere at The Beacon Theatre in Greenock as part of Destinations, followed by a tour to the Tramway in Glasgow, UDance Youth Dance Festival, and Belfast’s Unanimous Festival in 2024.
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 movement language, individuality and minds of the dancers in the company that year. To date, the company has toured to Australia, France, Belgium, Ireland, Estonia and throughout the UK performing in theatres like Sadler’s Wells and at prominent events like U.Dance and the Australian Youth Dance festival.
If you are thinking of pursuing dance as a career there is no other experience like NYDCS!
What will it give me?
This programme will prepare you for a career in the dance industry and offer you the chance to meet young dancers from all over Scotland, the UK and internationally. You will travel and work together as a company and experience performing across the UK and abroad.
You will develop your creative and technical dance skills and gain in depth knowledge to develop your career ambitions and have termly mentoring sessions to ensure you feel supported and heard.
The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland enables its members:
- To tour and perform nationally and internationally at a range of events and festivals
- To develop personal technical and creative dance skills
- To develop an understanding of who you are as a performer
- To develop as individuals on a personal and professional level
- To gain industry experience
- To make connections with likeminded, motivated and talented young dancers
- To meet and work with guest international, UK and Scottish artists and teachers
- To take part in exchanges with international and UK youth dance companies
- To be an ambassador for dance, YDance and Scotland
- To develop fundraising and leadership skills
- To have the opportunity to participate in other projects and perform with YDance
Who can apply?
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 2023 to August 2024
- 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 in full time training to become a member of NYDCS.
We are excited to create a diverse company, welcoming dancers from a range of backgrounds, dance styles and experiences. We welcome applications from disabled and non-disabled dancers, providing additional resources and support wherever possible.
Cost
There is no membership fee for being part of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland.
Rehearsals: You MUST attend all rehearsals and YDance will pay company members who travel more than 15 miles to rehearsals a maximum daily travel allowance of £15. Rehearsals are held in Glasgow. Please note that company members who live in Glasgow or within a 15 mile radius of Glasgow will not be eligible for the travel allowance payment for attending rehearsals.
Performances: For performances which take place more than 15 miles from the Company’s Glasgow base, YDance will arrange transport and accommodation or reimburse 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.
How do I apply?
To apply for the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland click Apply Now and complete the application form before Sunday 3rd September 2023. Auditions will take place on Saturday 16th September 2023. For more information on the audition click here.
YDance aims to be a welcoming organisation, inclusive of young people from a 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.
Applicants can submit answers to the questions on the application form by audio or video if completing the online form is not suitable. If you wish to apply in this way, please email your submission to lauren@ydance.org
Bookings
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.
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