Eligibility

To take part in the Project Y Performance course you must:

• Be aged between 16 and 25 on the first day of the course
• Be able to commit to all rehearsal and performance dates

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 the Project Y Performance Course, however professional dancers are not eligible to take part. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible, please contact YDance on 0141 552 7712 or email info@ydance.org.

What are the benefits of the Project Y Performance Course?

Project Y is a pre-professional performance course offering participants a unique training and performance experience. Dancers in the Project Y company will:

• Gain experience of creating and performing as a company member
• Work with choreographers who have different processes, styles and movement
• Be involved at the heart of the creative process
• Gain experience of being in a technical rehearsal and performance process
• Tour and perform in large scale, well-known venues across Scotland
• Develop and strengthen their contemporary dance technique and creative skills
• Gain invaluable experience of what it’s like to rehearse and perform as a professional dancer

What the participants say

“Project Y was instrumental in me deciding to take dance seriously as a career and make the necessary steps to allow me to do that, immersing me in the professional world of a touring dance company.”

“Project Y ultimately led me joining the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland which gave me the courage and confidence to audition for The Northern School of Contemporary Dance. It’s safe to say both Project Y and NYDCS helped me gain the place on the BA course by teaching me the maturity level and work load it takes to be a professional dancer.” 

“I have made efforts to continue connections with many of the choreographers we worked with. For example, I joined Errol White and Theo Clinkard for work experience after meeting them at Project Y.”

“I feel Project Y has changed the way I move and most importantly has changed my mindset. Now I am loving contemporary dance whereas before I was always too nervous to get up and move individually. Now I absolutely love being able to create my own movement!”

“It has helped me be more confident in my dancing and my working/performing abilities, to believe in myself and prove that it is possible to make dancing my living.”

What costs are involved?

The Course Fee for Project Y is £650, but thanks to funding from the Leverhulme Trust all participants will be awarded a £300 grant towards the fee. Participants will therefore only be liable to pay £350.

After you have been accepted for Project Y, we will give you a fundraising kit with helpful information and tips including names of trusts or local authorities who might be able to give you financial help towards your fees. YDance has been awarded a small discretionary bursary fund by the Leverhulme Trust to assist those most in need, however participants must explore all other avenues before applying for this fund.

When is the next Project Y Performance Course?

The next Project Y Performance Course will take place in July 2022. The first three weeks will be based in Glasgow to rehearse with the four Project Y choreographers. On the fourth week you will tour and perform in venues across Scotland. 

How do I apply?

Applications for the Project Y Performance Course 2022 will open in January 2022.

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Funders

The Project Y Performance Course is supported by the Leverhulme Trust.