The nation’s annual youth dance festival
13 - 14 July Liverpool
London’s creative conservatoire
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Andrew Hurst MBE Chief Executive, One Dance UK
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The nation’s youth dance festival, an inspiring symbol of the future of dance, is back for 2024!
The U.Dance National Festival celebrates the quality and vibrancy of young people’s dance across all four nations of the UK. Over this weekend in Liverpool - a city with an incredible history of music and dance - there will be showcases involving almost 400 talented young dancers, chosen by regional and national panels, along with special guest companies and artists. The U.Dance National Festival celebrates young dancers from all over the UK, and this year will also spotlight talent from across the North West region alongside emerging choreographers through One Dance UK’s Young Creatives programme.
Participants will work with internationally renowned artists who will inspire them to develop their dance skills and introduce them to new creative ideas. They will take part in technique classes, choreography workshops, mentoring, and discussion sessions. Alongside this, a selection of U.Dance on Screen entries will be shared during the festival, offering a platform for exceptional youth dance films.
Our special thanks go to funders Arts Council England and the U.Dance 2024 Bronze and Access Sponsor, Trinity Laban, as well as the dedicated staff and volunteers who help us bring this wonderful event to life.
Join us in celebrating the next generation of dance performers, creators and leaders. The future of dance is right here!
Laura Nicholson Head of Children and Young People’s Dance, One Dance UK
Dance has the ability to entertain, to challenge, to make us think differently and to make us question. I am certain that nobody achieves this with more power and conviction than the UK’s young people, who never fail to amaze me with their talent, energy, tenacity and creative courage.
The U.Dance National Festival is an incredible and joyful celebration of the exceptional outcomes that can be achieved when young people are given opportunities to excel and shine. This serves to strengthen even further our passionate belief that access to high-quality dance for ALL young people is more vital than ever before. We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the wonderful and inspiring dance teachers, group leaders and educators who work tirelessly to provide life-enhancing experiences and outstanding training and support for the next generation.
If the performances we have seen on stage and screen are anything to go by, the future of dance is in very safe hands.
Sir Richard Alston Champion of U.Dance
The U.Dance National Festival marks a highlight in the youth dance calendar, showcasing the creativity of young people and group leaders across the country. Dance has a unique ability to bring communities together and to inspire. As U.Dance Champion I am so excited to witness the next generation of dance talent.
Sarah E. Baker Head of Dance at LIPA
We are delighted to be one of the hosts for the U.Dance National Festival 2024, and we are thrilled to welcome you to the North West.
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is home to a dynamic, international and inclusive community of students undertaking university-level training in the performing and creative arts. Our undergraduate Dance degree trains you to not only be a technically strong, versatile dancer, but also a dance artist – a performer who retains what’s unique to you.
We can’t wait to see you develop your skills and perform at this national celebration of youth dance.
Mark Da Vanzo CEO, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres
Hello and welcome to Liverpool and to the Playhouse!
On behalf of everyone at the theatres, we’re thrilled to host young dance talents and their families from across the country as part of the U.Dance National Festival. Ensuring young people have the opportunity to be inspired and creative is at the heart of what we do, so partnering with the Festival is the perfect fit for us. Together we can celebrate the power of dance and the performing arts to enrich our lives.
We hope you have a brilliant time in Liverpool and take away memories and experiences to last a lifetime. Enjoy!
Lorna Cook Head of Dance, LMA Liverpool
LMA is delighted to be a partner venue hosting this year’s U.Dance National Festival. As one of the fastest-growing creative institutions in the UK, LMA is dedicated to celebrating talent, diversity, and inclusivity by breaking down barriers to higher education.
The BA (Hons) degree in Dance Performance at LMA is delivered by industry professionals, offering comprehensive training in all major styles and techniques to prepare students for a career as professional dancers. This practical instruction is underpinned by theoretical and academic study, fostering the development of each student’s unique style and creative vision.
LMA is passionate about promoting dance education and aims to cultivate dancers who are not only skilled technicians but also visionary curators of movement. We welcome you to our campus and our creative community.
BA (Hons) Dance (Contemporary)
CertHE Contemporary Dance
CertHE Cultural Dance Forms
MA Dance Teaching & Facilitating
MA Dance & Creative Enterprise
MA Interdisciplinary Dance Performance
MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE/PPS)
One Dance UK is committed to supporting high-quality, low-cost opportunities for young dancers. U.Dance is the national programme of events offering exciting dance experiences to young people. Each year, our nation’s young dancers can experience the thrill and sense of achievement of performing! See below the three strands of the U.Dance programme and get in touch to find out more.
U.Dance First platforms are performances presenting dance work featuring primaryaged children (ages 5 to 11) from more than one school or group, in communities up and down the UK. This strand of the U.Dance programme aims to address the current lack of specific dance provision and high-quality non-competitive platforms for younger children.
U.Dance Regional Platforms, which take place across the UK, offer exciting performance and workshop opportunities to thousands of dancers aged 11+ each year. Regional Platforms are hosted by a network of partner organisations and take place each spring, showcasing the talents of the region’s young dancers. They form part of the selection process for the U.Dance National Festival.
Visit: www.onedanceuk.org/programmes/udance
Email: u.dance@onedanceuk.org
The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is a vibrant celebration of youth dance which takes place each Summer. Groups of young dancers from around the country, drawn predominantly from U.Dance Regional Platforms, perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance careers information.
The U.Dance National Showcases present a varied selection of creative, dynamic youth dance groups from all over the UK, selected to represent their home region or country from the hundreds of outstanding groups involved in U.Dance Regional Platforms. We are thrilled showcasing such incredible talent!
We would like to thank all selection panel members for their expertise and feedback. We would also like to thank the organisers of the U.Dance Regional Platforms and partner organisations, group leaders, teachers, parents and carers, and of course the wonderful, dedicated participants.
* Performing as a guest artist in the Young Creatives Showcase
Fosbrooks, Great British
Fosbrooks was formed 40 years ago and has performed at all the major British concert halls and festivals as well as abroad. The group performs the music of the British Isles to accompany their unique clog dance routines.
The performance represents the ‘melting pot’ of step dance in North West England with influences from Irish migrant workers who came to work in the Lancashire cotton mills, and exhibition steps from variety theatres and competitions.
The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Miguel Altunaga
The Lowry CAT is the North West Centre for pre-vocational training, providing young people from across the region who have a passion for dance, access to high quality dance training tuition and creative opportunities outside of their academic studies.
Émí represents the spirit, the vital force, the unseen energy that animates all living beings, invoking movements that echo the rhythms of life itself. Émí is the interconnectedness of all things. Émí is the essence of human existence through the lens of Yoruba spirituality.
Checkmate
Gosforth Civic Theatre Youth Dance and Voices Choir NORTH EAST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Heather Huggins and Kelly Turnbull
The group is a unique collaboration between GCT Voices, a group of young people from mainstream schools and GCT’s Youth Dance group for people with learning disabilities from different SEND schools. Their mission is to ‘raise other people’s expectations of what people with learning disabilities can achieve’.
The piece explores the power struggles and barriers faced by all. They use the chess board as a playground, thinking about the moves we make and directions our journey takes us in, finding the confidence to speak up, and also enjoy the silence...
The Timekeeper
Monmouthshire Youth Dance Company (MYDC), Dance Blast WALES
Choreographed by: Faye Stoeser
Monmouthshire Youth Dance Company (MYDC) is the flagship youth dance company for Dance Blast, Abergavenny. Dance Blast has been the dance development agency for Monmouthshire since 1998. MYDC, established in 2007, gives young people the opportunity to commit to performing as a company.
The Timekeeper was choreographed on the company in 2023 as part of an Arts Council Wales funded project, ‘Rekindle’. The MYDC dancers auditioned choreographers to choose who they would work with. They chose Faye Stoeser who created The Timekeeper
Choreographed by: Dane Bates
Lillianna has been dancing since she was four and trains in many styles of dance. Now 14 years old, she is part of the Dane Bates Collective and the JJ Acrobatics team. She was runner up in Britain’s Got Talent last year.
This piece was choreographed by Dane Bates for her final piece when she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent Season 16.
RCS Young Ballet Company
Choreographed by: Daniel Davidson
RCS Young Ballet Company meet weekly at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Wallace Studios in Glasgow to study classical ballet technique, learn ballet and contemporary repertoire and to develop performance skills while creating original work for performances throughout the year. Slip was created by Daniel Davidson, choreographer and dancer with Ballet Rambert and Scottish Ballet.
Slip is inspired by sudden, uncontrollable changes in life. The feeling of something slipping from your grasp and the strength is takes to recover.
Choreographed by: Jennifer Oswald and Amy Richardson
Dance JAM is a street dance school based in Sunderland. With ages ranging from 11-14 years, the students train twice a week for six hours.
The piece is about a child growing up and overcoming many obstacles in today’s society. Three of the children portray the different stages of the child’s life: from being a child to a teenager to an adult. The piece fuses hip hop, locking, house, Litefeet and freestyle elements. “Self love is the best love”.
Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy WEST MIDLANDS
Choreographed by: Issabelle Chieza
The group trains weekly at an after-school club. It is a chance for gifted and talented students from all years from year 7 to 13 to share ideas and progress as dancers and choreographers.
Fame and Fortune is about the ups and downs of being famous. The first section is about the media and public perception of being a celebrity and how to not always believe what you see and read. The second section is the fun side of being famous and ‘living up to’ being a celebrity. The final section is about the snakes in the industry and how when you have had your 5 minutes of fame no one wants to know you anymore.
DS Youth Collective NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Anna James, Chloe Fitzpatrick and David Darcy
DS Youth Collective is an inclusive dance company for people aged 14-25 based in Blackburn, Lancashire. They welcome dancers with and without disabilities who are interested in developing their performance skills.
DS Youth Collective present The Butterfly Effect, a piece that explores life cycles in nature.
The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Faye Tan
The Lowry CAT is the North West Centre for pre-vocational training, providing young people from across the region who have a passion for dance, access to high quality dance training tuition and creative opportunities outside of their academic studies.
Made in collaboration with the dancers and CAT Artist Jack Hilton, this energetic and surreal dance piece confronts the concept of the weekend and asks: how does it really make us feel?
RJT Dance Company SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Tabby Somerfield and Rachel Wells
RJT Dance Company are a small contemporary dance company based in Somerset. They have been creating new pieces for the past 3 years and performing at various events around the southwest. They are a tribe who are passionate about dancing from the soul with genuine emotion.
No Heaven is a contemporary dance piece which follows two rival gangs, taking inspiration from Rambert’s Peaky Blinders and iconic dance fight scenes such as West Side Story. The dancers blend complex partnering and phrase work throughout and build to an eventual climax to end.
Arts Youth Dance Group
Choreographed by: Theiya Arts Youth Dancers, under the direction of Himadri Madan, Gaby Albornoz and Karen Watts
Theiya Arts Youth Dance Group is based in Edinburgh. The dancers have all trained in Bharatanatyam since a young age. The group is an inclusive space for the dancers to explore their choreographic and creative voice.
The dancers selected the theme of change, incorporating not just choreographed movement (rooted in Indian classical dance vocabulary), but also spoken word (written by the dancers), and painting (created in response to movement), in collaboration with sitar and violin musicians.
Choreographed by: Scott Coldwell and Tommy Keeling
Pips Dance Academy is a dance school in Buckinghamshire with a ‘dance for all’ ethos. The piece is being performed by the audition squad, PWA, which consists of students from Pips Dance Academy. This group is an audition-only street performance squad that competes and performs across the country.
The piece was put together collaboratively with the students, who looked at different street styles and how shapes and formations can be explored in space.
Develop
dmu.ac.uk/dance
COMPANY
WigLe Juniors is a newly established dance company made up of members of WigLe Dance open classes. The group is made up of 8-11 year old dancers.
Skyfall is a James Bond inspired piece that explored working together, resilience and overcoming obstacles. The piece was choreographed by the company rehearsal directors Chloe Gotheridge and Caitlin Fagan who are 18 and 19.
Wake up
Mamu Dance Company
LONDON
Choreographed by: Amber Griffiths-Rowe with assistance from Mitzi Trought
Mamu (meaning the goddess of dreams) Dance Company, was formed by Amber GriffithsRowe. Amber hopes to make the dreams and aspirations of the dancers, who are all passionate students at The Brit School, a reality.
This piece is inspired by the notion that dreams allow subconscious thoughts to flourish, stimulating the imagination, which is vital in a society where expression is restricted. Not only can dreams be a portal for creativity, but they can also bring clarity to emotions and symbolise meaning about current experiences. Throughout the piece, the dancers question the significance of the audience’s dreams.
Choreographed by: Aimée Cheetham
Elysium Dance Company was formed in association with Bella Danza Studios, to offer young artists the opportunity to develop their creativity and performance skills in the setting of a company. They explore choreography, story telling and creation in a space that allows them to grow as dancers and artists.
The piece is inspired by Stephen King’s novel, The Mist. It follows a young girl who is initially intrigued by a mist rolling in. However, as it surrounds her, she becomes afraid and disoriented, exploring the concept of how fear changes us.
Flames in the Fire KXT Company
NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Katy Smith and Tia Gribben
KXT Company was founded two years ago, bringing together some of the incredible talent of the younger generation up north. Since then, they have showcased up and down the country including the Move It main stage, Dancers Delight Under 18’s and Can You Dance?. The group is full of energetic, passionate, young individuals.
They aim to provide a feelgood piece that showcases street and hip hop styles. Bringing something fresh and creative to the table and bringing their energy as a group but also showcasing the talented individuals’ own unique styles, this piece is a celebration of what KXT stands for.
Next Door Dance Youth Company
Choreographed by: Emily Minnett, Georgina Fazzani-Saunders, Hayely Corah and Laura Savage-Weeden
Next Door Dance Youth Company (NDDYC) meet weekly at iC4C in Nottingham with students aged between 11-18 years. Classes are delivered by the professional company, Next Door Dance, focusing on contemporary techniques.
Step into the ordinary, where the humdrum of daily life meets the rhythm of movement. Through the choreography, NDDYC explores the familiar situations that unfold during ‘the weekly shop’ - the rush of a spillage, the excitement of the reduced aisle, and the dreaded unexpected item in the baggage area!
Faith in the Unseen Laois Youth Dance Ensemble IRELAND
Choreographed by: Erica Borges
Laois Youth Dance Ensemble is a contemporary youth dance company based in Portlaoise, County Laois. Committed to engaging young people with a professional dance experience, the Ensemble supports creativity and confidence, providing an inspiring learning environment for self-expression.
This piece explores the phrase “walk by faith, not sight”. Although it sounds like we’re ignoring what we can see right in front of us, far from being merely an emotional psych-up, it reflects serious-minded confidence. Walking by faith, not sight, makes us more engaged with the world around us, not less. Resilience is fuelled by faith and the belief that broken things can be made into treasure.
Choreographed by: Amy Gale and dancers
Nuclear is an all-male audition-only dance company at Trinity School, Newbury. They hold the mantra ‘Boys Dance Too’ and are passionate about the development of boys dance in the local and wider communities. Nuclear meets weekly for technique, training and choreography, performing in various shows both locally and nationally.
Their piece explores the dancers’ memories, both positive and negative, posing the question: What if your best and worst memories were placed right in front of you? How would you react? Would you run, hide, embrace, fixate, cry or smile? If you could go back, would you do things differently?
Srishti Yuva Culture LONDON
Choreographed by: Nina Rajarani MBE
Srishti Yuva Culture was founded in 2006 by Nina Rajarani MBE with senior members of the highly successful dance school that’s been based at Harrow Arts Centre since 1991. The group focuses on professional training, innovative choreography, and performance work.
Rhythm Speaks is a piece of music by Bikram Ghosh to which Bharatanatyam dance has been choreographed by Nina Rajarani MBE. The piece blends classical music with modern elements, showcasing fast-paced dance sequences that enjoy the beauty of Bharatanatyam vocabulary.
The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training NORTH WEST ENGLAND
Choreographed by: Jessica Wright
The Lowry CAT is the North West Centre for pre-vocational training, providing young people from across the region who have a passion for dance, access to high quality dance training tuition and creative opportunities outside of their academic studies.
EQUILIBRIA explores evolutionary balance, moving from the organic to the mechanical. Created in close collaboration with the dancers, they uncover hidden codes in nature, the signs we use daily to communicate, and the synthetically-engineered structures we create as we move into the future.
Choreographed by: Nillanthie Morton
Shahck Out Youth Dance are members of RJC Dance Youth Provision aged 12 - 19 years, who come together once a week at the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown, Leeds.
Soca Cheer explores cheer style shapes and movement and fuses them with feel-good high-energy dance to Soca/Carnival music. This piece is an upbeat and energetic celebration of RJC Dance 30th Anniversary, choreographed by tutor and alumnus Nillanthie Morton.
Sunday 14 July, 2pm
LIPA - Paul McCartney Auditorium
One Dance UK’s Young Creatives is an exciting two-year programme for young people who are interested in developing their choreographic skills and artistic potential. The programme provides a wonderful opportunity for young dancers to learn from industry-leading artists and, through mentoring, supports them to create original dance works that are premiered in front of a live audience at a professional venue.
Throughout the first year of the programme, Young Creatives participate in a series of choreographic workshop sessions with Creative Lead Sarah Dowling and other industry professionals to help them develop their creative ‘toolkit’.
Year two is all about making work supported through high-quality mentoring and face-toface workshops. This year’s cohort have been supported and inspired by Creative Lead Rhian Robbins and Creative Team Kate Flatt OBE, Vidya Patel, John-William Watson and Liam Francis who have offered remarkable insight into their own practice and encouraged and nurtured the creative voice of each young choreographer.
“Being part of the Young Creatives programme was one of the best things I have ever done. I completed the two-year programme with a newfound love for choreography and collaboration and a completely new outlook on the creative arts industry. The programme has given me the confidence to believe in and be proud of my creative ideas.”
Jasmine Ainley-Kaur Young Creatives Alumnus
“I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of the journey with our young choreographers. From our very first meeting, their openness and creativity has been truly inspiring. Making work is exposing and takes courage and it’s so wonderful to see the generous spirit and support for each other that the young artists and their dancers alike have developed.
The choreographers have devised and worked with their dancers in their own communities, all then meeting in person to share their work in process. As well as choreographing and rehearsing their work, they also take responsibility for staging, lighting and costume with guidance. To have the insight, knowledge and experience that their wonderful mentors share with them is an incredible opportunity as young developing artists and further enhances the process and the final performance.
The Young Creatives programme allows participants space to explore, challenge, and develop their physical voices in whatever direction it takes them. Their commitment and growth over the last few months has been awesome and humbling in equal measures and I have no doubt the future of choreography is in very good hands!”
Rhian Robbins
Year 2 Creative Lead, Young Creatives
Scan the QR code for more info:
Young Creatives 2024 Programme Associate:
The Lowry CAT is the North West Centre for pre-vocational training, providing young people from across the region who have a passion for dance, access to high quality dance training tuition and creative opportunities outside of their academic studies.
In this piece, the Lowry CAT Graduates of 2024 celebrate themselves as they dance together for the last time. Choreographed by Holly Brennan in collaboration with Erin Pollitt and the Lowry CAT Graduates.
This piece, choreographed by Darby McGuirk, is about the journey of performing in front of others. It encapsulates the alternating feelings of pressure and anxiety versus relief and confidence that all dancers experience when performing. The breathing motif shows the fluctuating cycles in dance of calmness and nervousness.
Ollie Jessop attended Rhythm City Dance Studios in Plymouth and is a member of RC Company. He says that the support he has received from everyone there has helped him become the person he is today. Ollie enjoys hip hop and choreography. His preferred style is popping.
His piece tells the story of the struggles he has faced as a young person who has grown up enduring bullying because he was perceived as ‘different’.
Choreographed by: Reuben Spencer
Reuben is a choreographer and dancer from Newbury. The dancers within the group are from different locations in Southern England and have various backgrounds; some are in training, some are practitioners. He advertised for dancers and was lucky enough to find these individuals.
A couple during the morning commute on the London underground. Her life will never be the same again after an incident. A nostalgic dance with echoes of the past.
Choreographed by: Max McIlvenny
Max has always had a passion for choreography. His brain works in a creative way where he is able to visualise every aspect of the piece he wants to create including the lighting, music, costumes, and the actual movement. It truly lights him up and he is so excited to continue creating in the future.
A twin flame is one soul that has been torn in two, creating a mirror image of your spiritual self in two people. The unexplainable connection and energy present when you are close to your twin flame is magnetic! When there is physical distance between you, a gravitational pull draws you together again. Always connected, entwined and part of each other’s soul.
separated by time.
Choreographed by: Charlotte Watson
Born in Ipswich, Charlotte spent her childhood in a rural environment. Dance was an essential root of self-expression, where opportunities were limited. She says that working with Honor, who was born in London and is a fellow undergraduate at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, made this a joyful collaboration.
The making of this piece began after many conversations between Charlotte and Honor, talking about their wants and desires for their futures. This led them to explore what it is to yearn for something so much but not have the means to get it.
Choreographed by: Honor Dixon
Honor’s recent works have delved into the human condition and how we can exist authentically as people regardless of social expectations. She values collaboration and understanding within her creative process. She strongly believes our experiences are sacred; sharing them is deeply important to her. She feels that exploring thoughts, feelings and perspectives with each other is key to our growth and development.
Created as a double bill, the work explores concepts of distance and time in life. As well as this, she considers ideas of internal and external desires and how we are impacted by both.
Choreographed by: Tiegan Doyle
As a choreographer, Tiegan is inspired by exploring narratives and infusing alternative dance styles with her own. She met her group of dancers at university, and feels lucky to have the pleasure of working with them every day.
The piece Midsommar is a fusion of contemporary and Scandinavian folk dance, following a community of females as they explore their inter-personal relationships and freedoms as they surrender themselves to their inner insanity.
Choreographed by: Amari Webb-Martin
Amari Webb-Martin is currently a second year student at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. His dancers, whom are also second year students are: Roshaan Asare, Maya Inniss, Ruby Runham and Leo Wallen.
N.I.S. or ‘Normal Intergalactic Superstars’ explores the speculative fiction and art movement: Afro-Futurism. Inspired by Solange Knowles’ When I Get Home, N.I.S pays homage to black icons of the 90s and 80s through a science fiction lense.
The Young Creatives programme is designed to introduce young people to an array of different approaches to making movement, providing them with a ‘choreographic toolkit’ and expanding their creative practice. Over the course of several workshops, the Year 1 cohort of Young Creatives have crafted a collaborative piece with the guidance of Creative Lead Sarah Dowling, using music and text as a starting point.
Safer Dance exists to promote high standards of safeguarding in out-of-school settings.
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One Dance UK supports the dance creators and leaders of the future. Check out some of the amazing programmes and resources on offer below, and scan the QR codes to find out more!
A comprehensive guide to the amazing career pathways dance offers
Interested in a career in dance? The One Dance UK Careers Guide gives expert insight into a range of pathways such as performing, creating, teaching and supporting dance..
Gain experience and advocate for dance
One Dance UK’s Dance Ambassadors are a team of young people aged 18 - 25 from across the UK who believe in the power of dance. Dance Ambassadors are passionate young people who advocate for dance in general and assist with the delivery of our activities at local, regional and national level.
A guide to the many benefits of taking part in dance education
Thinking about taking Dance as an exam subject at school or college? Find out more about the many skills you will gain!
Alongside incredible stage performances, the U.Dance National Festival also celebrates youth dance on film with U.Dance on Screen.
Following a national callout, a brilliant mix of youth dance films have been selected to represent their home region or country on a national platform as part of a U.Dance on Screen.
The films are selected by the U.Dance on Screen National Panel, Dance Ambassadors and representatives from their host region.
The films will be shared in a Digital Showcase and on screens across the U.Dance National Festival weekend.
Scan the QR code or head to our website to find out more and watch the selected films:
www.onedanceuk.org/programmes/udance/ udance-on-screen
The One Dance UK Awards are an annual celebration to acknowledge and reward the people who, through their dedication to dance, are making a positive impact in our sector and changing lives.
Championing the excellent work of dance artists, teachers, schools, choreographers, companies, venues, and scientists, this is a glittering evening of celebrations, all for those who contribute to the dance sector throughout the UK.
www.onedanceuk.org/programmes/ one-dance-uk-awards
NATIONAL
SHOWCASESATURDAY
Aarya Deivedi
Abi Lancaster
Abigail Stark
Adwita Choudhury
Agnes Ings
Aika Romanis
Alexa Dandeker
Alexandra Marin
Zamayoa
Alexandra Ramsay
Alice Baguley
Amy Judge
Amy McMillin
Andrei Naumkin
Anna June Wilson
Anna Kristina Davies
Anna-May D.
Annabel Glusick
Annie Blease
Annie Dixon
Archie Murray
Arianna Sofia Gagnon
Ashita Mathur
Ava Church
Ava Steer
Bea Langham
Beth Cathcart
Callum Duguid
Caoimhe Munnelly
Carys Milner
Casey Louise Pryce
Cassie Lewis
Cecily Shaw
Charlie James Wilding
Charlotte Jayne Kit
Charlotte Williams
Chelsie-Louise Frew
Chloe Borg-Heffernan
Chloe Mcguren
Chrystal Kiloyi
Claudia Boardman
Coby Heron
Connor Stewart
Daisy Beebee
Daisy Undery
David Corr
Dominic Dombo
Ela Selam
Eliannah Imarhiagbe
Elise Charrington
Ella Gregson
Ellen Woolley
Ellie Bamber
Ellis Hall
Emilija Kudzeviciute
Emily Alice North
Emily Jones
Emily Paton
Emma Miles
Erin Swinney
Esme Board
Etania Imarhiagbe
Eva Lucia Morgan
Partington
Eve Walker-Sherriff
Eve Whatmough
Evelyn Dykins
Evie Fisher
Evie Mirando Payne
Fae Wolfe
Fae Wolfe
Farrah Mary Cullen
Hana Turner
Hannah Hambury
Harper Short
Harrison Baguley
Harry Faran
Hazel Lawton
Holly Hunter
Ipshita Kumari
Isabella Hope
Issabelle Chieza
Isaiah Imarhiagbe
Issy Wheeler
Jack Shelton
Jahvohn Campbell
Jamie Brown
Jedidiah Igun
Joel Igun
John Vitorino
Joseph Oswell
Kahmeah HamiltonBrown
Kai Chieza
Kalen Henry
Kameron Collins
Kate Henderson
Katie Hendry
Leila Rose Dobell
Leoni May Seed
Libbie DavenportDrury
Libby Needle
Lillianna Clifton
Lily Deehan-Hughes
Lola Beebee
Lola Priestley
Louisa Bailey
Lucy da Silva
Lucy Davison
Lucy McLean
Lucy Thompson
Lucy Vale
Lula Backhouse
Lydia Milne
Lydia Petleshkova
Maddison Evans
Maisie Hayward
Marilena Lalou
Marissa Jones
Martha Lucey
Mary-Isobel King
Megan Shapley
Higginson
Michael Vanson
Millie Gubby
Millie Poole
Murron Lily Olsen
Nancy Ord
Niall Bradshaw
Noah Morgan
Nya Stewart
Nyasha onayemi
Oliver Lawton
Oliver Siedlich
Olivia Brown
Peadar Mcintyre
Poppy Potter
Poppy Watson
Rowan Shapley
Higginson
Ruby Gaizely-Phillips
Sam Hutchinson
Sanjula Chakraborty
Saoirse Ryan
Sapphira SangooWilliams
Sarah Catherine
Macleod
Shania Chugh
Sidney Steward
Sinead Johnson
Sofia Gatto-Garzoni
Stuti Singh
Swastika Singh
Tanwen Isla Sheppard
Tashan Gray
Thomas Relton
Tristan James Wright
Vidhi Singh
William Benjamin
Yumai Williamson
Zara RichardsonBrowne
Zoe Moores U.DANCE
Abril Priganica
Addison Mort
Adelina Revetchi
Aine Winter
Akshita Roshan
Vijayakumar
Ali Durvesh
Alice McGarvie
Amelia Cowap
Amelia Palmer
Angel Foster
Angus Bond
Annabelle White
Annouska Ribeiro
Peace Eggough
Aston Heimsoth
Aysia-Mai Burris
Bethany scrase
Bibi-Anais Cobbinah
Brooke Cookson
Caoifhlionn Doyle
Charlie Parkinson
Charlie West
Charlotte Bunch
Daisy Heald
Daisy-Dee Mace
Daniel Lockett
Daniella Boadi-Soadwa
Deja Greenidge
Disha Varsani
Edie Milner
Edith Lloyd
Elena Alvarez
Elizabeth Atkinson
Elizabeth Harris
Ella S. J.
Ellen Wilson
Elsie Lea Harrison
Emile Morris-Gibson
Emilia Jones
Emily Lyon
Emily Moores
Erika Ngongue
Erin Surtees
Esha Ghosh
Evie Edgington
Evie Kinghorn
Fearne MullowneyReynolds
Flora Hawker-French
Flynn Barrett
Frankie Parkinson
Freya Thomas
Funmilola Awodipe
Gabriella Mort
Garrick Michael Thompson
Hannah McCorry
Hannah Pashley
Harry Ord
Idil Sahin
Imani Brieussel
Dickson
Inês Aline Martins
Correia
Isaac John Ireton
Isobel Beney
Izabella Gashi
Jacob M.
James Airey
Jasmine Sewell
Jessica Russell
Kaiya Gooding
Kayla Lawlor
Kaylee Chitty
Kelly Yang
Kenya Bowry
Keziah Arewa-Phillip
Khloe Hollingworth
Kirsten Hemsley
Kitty Timperley
Klaudia Visockaja
Leah Fielding
Lexi Welch
Lexie Hull
Livvi Phipps
Lizzy Chatterton
Lucy Hardwidge
Lydia Garton
Pinchbeck
Lyla Hughes
Maddie Stendhurst
Maia Dajas-Portillo
May Thomas
Meadhbh Doyle
Mia Piggott
Millie Hall
Mischa Walters
Mitzi Trought
Morgan Heimsoth
Nakai Rinomhota
Naomi Allsop
Nevaeh Griffiths
Nidarshana
Venkatesan
Nyomi Grant
Ophelia Flower
Orla Isabelle Frodsham
Orla Woodcock
Oscar Dove
Owen Jeffers
Phoebe Fox
Poppy Dean
Poppy Johnson
Rio Josè Lopez
Rishika Mazumdar
Ruby Gaskin-Brown
Ruby Rose
Sam Wyatt
Samuel Onwuteaka
Sarika Meenakshi
Krishnan
Sheron Conkova
Sienna Pike
Sofia Ajilowura
Sophia Petrova
Sophie Miller
Sophie Waite
Sylvie Mattingly
Tabitha Evans
Tabitha Jordan
Taylor Robinson
Tiana Mae Roberts
Varsha Madapusi Vijay
Willow Evans
Yanique Blades
Zara Barrett
Zuzanna Antoniak
Zuzanna Lisiecka
Aayush Patel
Amari Webb-Martin
Anastasia Roccioletti
Ava Pearce
Charlotte Williams
Charlotte Watson
Chloe Borg-Heffernan
Darby McGuirk
Elena de Melim
Ellie Somerville
Emma Lansdowne
Evie-Rose Lindsay
Genevieve Antoine
Georgie Coughlan
Hadija Brittain- Harris
Hannah Nelmes
Harper Short
Honor Dixon
Isobel Beney
Jonah Wigley
Jordan Dunn
Kevin Mensah
Kirsten Hemsley
Lani Girard
Lauren Williams
Leo Wallen
Lily Knott
Livvi Phipps
Lolita Barbour
Maia Wainer Goldstein
Max McIlvenny
Maya Inniss
Megan Hayes
Mollie Bastock
Na’ima Sackey
Nancy Ord
Ollie Jessop
Reuben Spencer
Roshaan Asare
Ruby Runham
Ruby Wardlow
Tiegan Doyle
Tilly Robison
Verity Dowding
Zahra Smith
FESTIVAL PARTNER REPRESENTATIVES
Rachel Elliott-Newton
Everyman Playhouse Venues and Events Manager
Sarah E. Baker
LIPA Head of Dance
Lorna Cook
LMA Head of Dance
Sally Wyatt and Daisy Howell
North West Centre for Advanced Training (CAT), The Lowry
Rachel Elliott and Jen Cox
English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS)
THEATRE PRODUCTION – LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE
Bill Deverson
Production Manager
Anthony Osborne
Stage Manager
Mel Knott
Rehearsal Director
Eleanor Liverakou and Pei Yee Tong
Finale, with thanks to Movema
Jenny Tallon-Cahill
Liverpool Playhouse Technical Manager
THEATRE PRODUCTION – LIPA
Siobhan Roxburgh
LIPA Venue Manager
Jon Thornhill
Production Technician
Rhian Robbins
Young Creatives Rehearsal Director
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Michaela Anders – Wired Aerial Theatre
Kevin Turner and Anthony Missen – Company
Chameleon
Jhanvee Patel – Yuva Gati Centre for Advanced Training
Alyx Steele
Will Lucas
English Folk Dance and Song Society
Movema
U.DANCE NATIONAL FESTIVAL PANEL MEMBERS
Liam Francis
Jamie Jenkins
Anna Kenrick
Hannah Kirkpatrick
Maiya Leeke
Becky Leslie
Charlene Low-Harley
Vidya Patel
Brittany Roberts
Alexzandra Sarmiento
Jack Stinton
PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM
Brian Slater
Photography
Simon Marshall
Photography
Aaron Howell
Filmmaker
NATIONAL U.DANCE PARTNERS 2024
Dance East, East
Dance City, North East
DU Dance, Northern Ireland
FABRIC, Midlands
National Youth Arts Wales, Wales
Pavilion Dance South West and Eunoia Creative/ Theatre Royal Plymouth, South West
South East Dance and Penny & Jules Dance, South East
The Lowry, North West
Trinity Laban, London
YDance, Scotland
Yorkshire Dance, Yorkshire
FESTIVAL STAFF
Lisa Chapman
Workshop Facilitator
Sam Lane
Young Creatives Facilitator
Jennifer Schneider-Lau
BSL Interpreter
Jasmine Ainley-Kaur
Hannah Docherty
Beth Gildea
Isabel Hancock
Lauren Hewett
Layla Johnson-Sanchez
Isobel Jupp
Minnie Morgan
Jhanvee Patel
Tsipora St. Clair Knights
Martha Thompson
Bobbi Walker
Andrew Hurst MBE
Chief Executive
Laura Nicholson
Head of Children and Young People’s Dance
Cameron Ball
U.Dance Festival Manager
Rebecca Bertram
Project Manager
Katie Stevens Operations Manager
Niamh Callaghan
Festival Assistant
Amy Roberts
Education and Training Manager
Lara Coffey
Head of Marketing and Communications
Barny Darnell
Membership Manager
Paul Hibbert
Head of Finance and Operations
Jess Lowe
Healthcare Manager, Dance Access Manager
Ríona O’Dowd
Marketing and Communications Assistant
Chinyere Ogbue
Head of Workforce Development
Chloe Sprackling
Acting Marketing Manager
Erin Sanchez
Head of the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science, Lead Specialist Health, Wellbeing, and Performance
Carlos Acosta CBE
Children and Young People’s Dance
Peter Badejo OBE
Arlene Phillips CBE
Champion of U.Dance and Young Creatives: Sir Richard Alston
Thank you to the One Dance UK Board, funders and supporters.
Thank you to all Careers Talks speakers and Marketplace exhibitors.
We would also like to thank the incredible group leaders and participants, for making the U.Dance National Festival such a special event.
We will see you next July for the U.Dance National Festival 2025, taking place in LONDON!
WORLD-CLASS DANCE TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
It’s not too late to secure your place for 2024 entry
Each centre is unique, offering different dance styles including Contemporary, Ballet, Circus, South Asian and Street Dance. Means-tested grants are available.
FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY TO JOIN NATIONALDANCECATS.CO.UK
