Sadler’s Wells’ National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) has completed its search to find its first company members, with 30 young people aged between 16 and 20-years-old emerging triumphant over hundreds of auditionees across the country.
The 11 male and 19 female dancers, who were selected to join the newly formed company following a series of workshops and auditions, have been awarded the opportunity to learn a variety of different dance techniques, perform in world-class venues and work with professional choreographers including Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jasmin Vardimon.
The successful individuals are set to meet during school holidays at Sadler’s Wells, as well as a number of regional venues across England, where they will learn, create and perform work with an array of inspirational teachers and choreographers, before coming together for their debut performance at the acclaimed Islington dance venue on 8 June.
Talking about the company’s new additions, Alistair Spalding, Sadler’s Wells’ Artistic Director, said: “I am excited that NYDC has found its first members. The decision to fund a National Youth Dance Company is an important step in putting dance on an equal footing with other art forms in education terms, and in supporting future generations of performers, particularly at a time when there are such serious concerns about diminishing opportunities for young people to engage with cultural education.”
Following the company’s debut performance as part of A String Of Rites, a series of three events commissioned by Sadler’s Wells to mark the 100th anniversary of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring, the performers will travel to venues in Kent, Leeds, Salford and Bristol in order to showcase their dancing talents.