Welcoming our new NYDCS choreographer, Tess Letham

YDance is thrilled to announce the addition of the multi-talented Tess Letham to the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland (NYDCS) team.

Fresh from a highly acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Tess — a former Project Y alumni —is joining the team to help steer the future of contemporary dance in Scotland.

Tess says:

"I’m thrilled to join NYDCS in this new role, it’s an incredible opportunity to work with such talented young dancers to create a brand-new piece, sharing my creative process, ideas, and passion for contemporary dance. I am committed to creating bold, thought-provoking work, and I’m looking forward to inspiring the company while learning from their energy and creativity. I’m deeply passionate about supporting the next generation of Scottish dancers and can’t wait to see what we’ll make together.”

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. As our 2025/26 company prepare to celebrate 15th successful years, and the NYDCS brand recently undergoing a revamp, it’s an exciting time to become a part of this highly-regarded and innovative dance movement.

Tess is an independent dance artist working as a choreographer, performer, teacher, and curator. Her recent projects include a new commission with Scottish Dance Theatre; performing in new works with Shotput and Al Seed Productions; and creating her own productions What Ever Happened to Harmony Banks? (presented at Dance Base during the 2025 Fringe) and SPECTRAL (Hidden Door Festival), both of which received high praise from audiences and critics. Alongside this, Tess leads the dance programme as curator at Hidden Door Festival.

On her plans with NYDCS, Tess adds:

I’m excited to bring my skills and experience to NYDCS — supporting the company in fresh, creative ways, nurturing its unique voice, and building on its incredible legacy as it moves in exciting new directions for the next 15 years.

Welcoming our new NYDCS choreographer, Tess Letham

#YDanceScotland