National Youth Dance Wales welcomes Lea Anderson and Arielle Smith as choreographers for 2022 season
Internationally renowned choreographer Lea Anderson, and dance artist and choreographer Arielle Smith, to create two new works for National Youth Dance Wales, working with NYDW for the first time
National Youth Dance Wales partnering with Ballet Cymru for the 2022 residency, with NYDW performing alongside Ballet Cymru as part of their UK autumn tour
Applications are now open for the NYDW 2022 ensemble, open to young dancers aged 16-22 from Wales or based in Wales.
Lea Anderson, one of the UK’s most pioneering choreographers, is perhaps best-known for co-founding The Cholmondeleys and The Featherstonehaughs, where she choreographed more than 100 works. In 2002, she was awarded an MBE for services to dance.
On the announcement, Lea Anderson said: "I am so happy to be invited to make new work with National Youth Dance Wales this summer and I am looking forward to getting into the studio at last to collaborate with some wonderful young dancers."
Also joining the artistic team for 2022 is Arielle Smith, winner of the Emerging Artist category of the National Dance Awards 2021. She has choreographed works with English National Ballet, collaborating with them in 2021 and with singer Anne-Marie to create a new work for the Team GB Olympic homecoming at Wembley.
Arielle Smith said: “I’m thrilled to be working with National Youth Dance Wales. Now more than ever is a time to come together, create, share and enjoy dance and I’m very excited to work with the next generation of talent.”
Anderson and Smith will each create a new work for National Youth Dance Wales, as NYDW come together for their first summer residency since 2019. They will then perform alongside Ballet Cymru, as part of Ballet Cymru’s autumn UK tour.
Auditioning for NYDW 2022
Each year, National Youth Dance Wales auditions youth dancers from all parts of Wales to join the ensemble. In these friendly and supportive auditions, the young dancers will take part in a full masterclass exploring contemporary dance technique. Those selected will then go on to take part in the summer residency, creating a two new pieces of choreography for performance in the autumn.
For the first time this year, the summer residency will be accompanied by a series of online masterclasses as part of The Celtic Collective, a partnership between NYDW and National Youth Dance Company of Scotland. This joint project helps us deliver world-class training and masterclasses to young dancers, using Zoom to connect young dance artists together.
All young dancers aged 16-22, who were born in Wales or currently live in Wales, are eligible to audition. There are free auditions for those who need financial support – on a “no-questions-asked” basis, and bursaries of up to 100% of fees for those from lower-income families.
Gillian Mitchell, Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales, said: “We can’t wait to be auditioning once again in all corners of Wales, searching for the next generation of Welsh dance artists.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Leverhulme Trust, Arts Council of Wales, and our bursary fund supporters, we can offer free auditions and up to 100% bursaries for those who need financial support – so there’s literally nothing to lose by auditioning!
“In its 22nd year, National Youth Dance Wales is once again able to bring some of the best choreographers to Wales, allowing young dancers to experience and learn from this unique immersive experience. We can’t wait to showcase their work as they perform alongside Ballet Cymru this autumn.”
For more information about auditioning for National Youth Dance Wales, visit www.nyaw.org.uk/auditions. The deadline for applications is Sunday 20 February, 11.59pm.