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 2024/2025, the company will create a new work for stage performances to tour the UK. The piece will premiere at The Macroberts Arts Centre, Stirling, as part of Destinations 2025, followed by a tour to the U. Dance Festival in London, the Rhythmosaic Festival in Leeds, The Edinburgh Fringe, and other exciting performing opportunities! (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 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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12, 13 & 14 October 2024 - West College, Renfrew Road, Paisley, PA3 4DR
23 & 24 November 2024 - Aberdeen
3, 4th & 5th January 2025 - Edinburgh
15, 16 & 17 February 2025 - Glasgow/Paisley
8 & 9 March 2025 - Aberdeen
7 and 8 June 2025 - Dundee
Performances
6 April 2025 Premiere at Destinations, The Macrobert, Stirling
17 April 2025 DU Dance Festival, Belfast
12 July 2025 Rhythmmosaic Festival, Leeds
25 July 2025 U.Dance Festival, London Sadlers Wells
5 – 9 August 2025 Fringe Festival, Edinburgh (5 days) TBC
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Applications are now closed
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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.
