The National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) kicks off its 10th anniversary tour at The Lowry in Salford on 15 April before going on a nationwide tour and the Company includes three local dancers
The company’s new work, Novacene, is choreographed by Guest Artistic Director and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Wayne McGregor CBE.
During the dancers’ time with NYDC, they are offered a unique insight into the dance profession, living and working closely together as a company, alongside NYDC staff and the artistic team.
The year-long experience within the company provides members with the necessary skills and techniques to find career opportunities and raise aspirations, self-esteem and confidence.
The dancers are mentored during four intensive residencies in school holidays to create and rehearse the new piece. The 2022/23 residencies are in Ipswich, Birmingham, London, Leeds and Manchester.
With 35 dancers, aged between 16 and 24 years old, hailing from 19 towns, cities and villages across England it’s a nationwide company.
Three of the Company,Beth Rogers, Nic Lee and Aoibh Ryan hail from the region
Nic says:
The experience of being on stage and feeling a level of power on that stage and connecting with such a big audience. The Lowry is a place I would watch shows as kid and I always wanted to be on the stage so seeing that power switch from audience to dancer.’
“I came to see The Sound of Music at The Lowry when I was 16 and really wanted to be on that stage. And now at 23 I am! Having my friends and family watch my first performance feels really special- an extra boost before we start the tour. This is actually my first ever performance on stage- because my background is in ballroom and latin which is a very different setting.” says Beth while Aoinh adds:
‘For me performing is the most important bit so really excited to get on stage to do the work.’
