Feature: Dancers selected for new UK youth dance company
20 dancers from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have been selected to form the first UK-wide youth dance company, the U.Dance Ensemble.
The famous international choreographer, Hofesh Shechter who is the artistic director of the company, was in charge of selecting the dancers at a national audition which took place Sunday 4th December 2011 at the Royal Opera House. The final company comprises 8 dancers from England, 2 from Northern Ireland, 5 from Scotland and 5 from Wales, with all dancers aged between 16 and 21.
The Ensemble will meet during three main rehearsal periods between January and July 2012. During these residencies the U.Dance Ensemble will be led by Hofesh in the creation of a new dance piece. The piece will form a key highlight of Youth Dance England’s U.Dance 2012 festival and will be performed at the event at Southbank Centre in London, as part of a varied programme of exceptional youth dance work from across the UK.
Hofesh Shechter said about the project: “It’s great that the project is now underway, it was a fascinating experience to see young dancers from throughout the UK during the audition process. I’m looking forward to getting into the studio for the intense creation period, teaching them as much as I can and in turn I’m sure I will be learning from their vibrant energy and humour, of which I’ve already had a taste over the last months.”
Following the premiere on 13th July in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Ensemble will also perform their piece on Sunday 15th July in the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Keep an eye on our See This section for details on how to book for U.Dance 2012 performances and events.
Company dancers:
Charlotte Arnold (England). Anna Britton (Scotland), Eilidh Brown (Scotland), Jemima Brown (Nothern Ireland), Ffion Campbell-Davies (Wales), Cameron Finnemore (England), Luke Ganz (Wales), Phoebe Haymer (Scotland), Matt Holland (Wales), Sophie Holt (England), Bethany Howitt (Scotland), Brona Jackson (Nothern Ireland), Keith Low (Scotland), Hannah Martin (England), Kelly Maskell (England), Rhys Owen (Wales), Georgia Redgrave (England), Natasha Smith (England), Sally Smithson (Wales), Benjamin Whisken (England)
The U.Dance Ensemble is a joint initiative, managed by Youth Dance England in partnership with YDance (Scottish Youth Dance), National Youth Dance Wales, DU Dance (based in Northern Ireland) and Southbank Centre.
Find out more:
U.Dance Ensemble
Youth Dance England
Hofesh Shechter Company
