National Youth Dance Companies of Wales and Scotland meet virtually through The Celtic Collective online masterclasses
Over 20 young dancers from across Wales and Scotland will benefit from a series of online masterclasses throughout 2021 – meeting together through technology despite living hundreds of miles apart.
With face-to-face dance training significantly reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, National Youth Dance Wales and National Youth Dance Company of Scotland will join together to form The Celtic Collective, an exciting new digital masterclass platform featuring some of the UK’s most talented dance artists, choreographers and artistic directors. It’s the first time that both dance companies have collaborated in this way. This brand new initiative will bring together young dancers training towards a professional career.
Masterclasses will be led by eminent dance artists and award-winning choreographers and dance artists Liam Riddick and Ezra Owen, and NYDCS’s Artistic Director Anna Kenrick. The young dancers, aged 16-22, will also have the opportunity to learn from dance companies including Ballet Cymru, National Dance Company Wales, and Scottish Dance Theatre.
Both National Youth Dance Wales and National Youth Dance Company of Scotland are the flagship contemporary dance companies for young people in their countries. Each year, talented young dancers audition for a place, and a chance to work with prestigious choreographers.
Farrah Fawcett, member of the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland, said:
“I’m thrilled that we have this online programme with National Youth Dance Wales, as connecting with like-minded dancers is exactly what we need to inspire us and create energy. It’s also fantastic to get the opportunity to work with new choreographers – you just learn so much about their process and this kind of experience is invaluable to our development as dancers.”
Jamie Jenkins, Producer of National Youth Dance Wales, said:
“We’re delighted to provide a space for these young dancers to connect, collaborate and share skills as part of this collective, and to provide a platform to hear from some of the UK’s most exciting choreographers and dance companies.”
Anna Kenrick, Artistic Director of YDance (Scottish Youth Dance), said:
“YDance is thrilled to be collaborating with National Youth Dance Wales on this innovative and engaging programme for our dancers. This is a very challenging time for young people so it’s very important we create opportunities where they can come together, share and feel connected through a high quality dance experience. ”
The masterclasses start on Sunday 31 January, and will continue monthly. They will be exclusively available to NYDW and NYDCS members, who will be contacted about sign-up details individually.
National Youth Dance Wales is produced by National Youth Arts Wales, the national charity for talented young musicians, dancers and actors across Wales. It is funded by Arts Council Wales.
National Youth Dance Company of Scotland is produced by YDance (Scottish Youth Dance), the national dance organisation for children and young people in Scotland. It is funded by Creative Scotland.
