West End movement director and celebrated Choreographer Yukiko Masui kicks off National Youth Dance Wales 2024 residency and cross-border exchange with National Youth Dance Company of Scotland

Excitement is bursting as this year’s National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) residency, which is in full swing at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. Seventeen talented young dancers have been selected and have gathered from throughout Wales for an intense and exhilarating period of training and creation.  

This year, NYDW is thrilled to announce that the residency is being led by the internationally acclaimed choreographer and Equity Honorary Life Member Yukiko Masui, fresh from working as Movement Director on The Jamie Lloyd Company’s West End production of Romeo and Juliet. In addition to working with Yukiko Masui, our dancers will also have the opportunity to take daily classes with a diverse group of dance artists, exploring a wide range of styles from contemporary to physical theatre. This exposure to various techniques and perspectives ensures a well-rounded experience, allowing each dancer to expand their skill set and artistic expression. 

Watch "NYDW 2024 in the studio with Yukiko Masui".

This year’s company is a vibrant mix of returning alumni and fresh faces. We are proud to welcome back nine returning dancers, who bring with them experience and an understanding of the NYDW ethos and values. Alongside them, eight new dancers are joining the company for the first time following nationwide auditions last February.  

As part of our exciting Celtic Collective partnership, this year’s cohort includes a dancer participating in an exchange programme with National Youth Dance Company of Scotland. This initiative is 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.  

Maura, NYDW member and Celtic Collective exchange student said: “Having never been to Wales, it’s been such an experience travelling down to a new part of the UK. I’m quite a shy, reserved person, the residency has really made me come out of my shell due to it's intense schedule, wellbeing and social programme. The residency has left me feeling so good about myself. Meeting other NYDW members has taught me so much about professional training, which has been so helpful and I’ve now made supportive connections with other youth dancers all thanks to this residency and the work of Anna from NYDCS and Jamie from NYDW”. 

 In exchange, Eira, a NYDW dancer from Gwynedd, North Wales, will have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience by joining the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland later in the year. 

Eira said: “I'm beyond excited to join the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland as part of the Celtic Collective exchange programme. The chance to work with such talented dancers and choreographers is truly incredible, and I can't wait to visit Scotland and immerse myself in this experience. I'm so thankful for this amazing opportunity”  

Jamie Jenkins, National Youth Dance Wales producer said: “This exchange with National Youth Dance Company of Scotland is a fantastic opportunity for our dancers to experience different creative environments and learn from their peers across the UK. It’s all about expanding horizons, building connections, and pushing the boundaries of what our young dancers can achieve. We’re so pleased to continue this partnership this year and we’re looking forward to seeing how this partnership evolves and enriches both our companies dancers.” 

As the residency continues, anticipation is building for the final performances as guest performers with the award-winning company Ballet Cymru, where these young talented dancers will showcase the results of their hard work under Masui’s expert guidance. With the combination of Masui’s visionary choreography, the diverse talents of the dancers, and the innovative spirit of NYDW, who’ll be hitting a significant 25-year milestone in 2025, this year’s residency is set to be a groundbreaking chapter in the company’s history.