The Celtic Collective Welcomes its Newest Member
NYDW ambassador Erin Mared will join National Youth Dance Company Scotland for the full year, creating a new work to tour across the UK and abroad
In 2020 National Youth Dance Company Scotland developed a new partnership with National Youth Dance Wales through The Celtic Collective, designed to connect members of NYDW and NYDCS through a shared passion and desire to enhance their dance development and awareness of the sector, both nationally and internationally, by bringing them together through shared experiences. During lockdown dancers from both companies took part in online workshops with choreographers from across the UK.
This year, The Celtic Collective partnership has developed further and involves dancers traveling between countries to take part in programmes and residencies.
In August 2022, National Youth Dance Wales members worked with choreographers Lea Anderson MBE and Arielle Smith to create two new dance works that premiered as part of Ballet Cymru's autumn tour. Over a two-week residency at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the programme focused on stretching and challenging members both creativity and artistically, whilst also developing their technical and performance skills.
Three members of NYDCS came to Wales to join NYDW at the August residency as guest performers, joining the company in rehearsals and on stage.
We are excited to announce this year, for the first time, NYDCS will host a NYDW ambassador. Erin Mared, 23, from Aberystwyth, Wales, currently studying Spanish & German at Glasgow University will join NYDCS for the full year, creating a new work to tour across the UK and abroad.
Erin has been dancing since the age of four and has a real passion for the joy of dancing, “I love that dance is a common language for people worldwide. If you can't communicate with someone through words, you can always find a connection through dance.”
National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) and YDance, who run NYDCS, provide young dancers with first-class training and performance opportunities. It draws on the energy and excitement of young people's enthusiasm for dance and channels it into a creative, contemporary force that celebrates the very best youth dance in Wales and Scotland today.
“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with NYDCS. By joining forces, we have been able to share joint opportunities for dancers from NYDW and NYDCS to participate in a range of different activities virtually and in person. The Celtic Collective partnership is a wonderful opportunity for like-minded dancers from across Wales and Scotland to share experiences, develop skills, and make new connections with peers across the two nations. I am super excited to see how the partnership will develop over the next year or so.” Jamie Jenkins, Dance Producer.
“This year is set to be an exciting year for NYDCS with some incredible opportunities to perform outside of the UK! It is wonderful to have the Celtic Collective partnership with NYDW to offer the dancers more experiences during their journey with us. We are excited to welcome Erin as part of this year's company and look forward to the Collective future with NYDW.” Anna Kenrick, YDance Artistic Director
Erin will debut with NYDCS in their first live performance at this year's YDance event, Destinations, held at Eden Court, Inverness on the 18th of February.