Dancers to visit Marseille for French collaboration

Jennifer Bruce (19), Euan Stephen (19) and Josh Stewart (17) were selected by YDance (Scottish Youth Dance) – the award-winning national dance organisation for children and young people in Scotland – for the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland after a rigorous audition process which saw 50 of Scotland’s most talented young dancers apply for one of 12 spaces.

The trip has been funded by Glasgow City Council Twinning Office and will see the two dance companies spend a week together creating a new piece of work which will be performed as part of a triple bill at KLAP House for Dance in Marseille on Tuesday, April 9.

NYDCS will also perform their own piece of work For Those Who Wait, choreographed by YDance Artistic Director Anna Kenrick.

Launched in 2012 by YDance (Scottish Youth Dance, the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland work with Anna to develop their technical, creative and performance skills through a series of creation intensive weekends to create a new piece of contemporary dance each year.

Members have the opportunity to perform work both nationally and internationally at a number of high-profile events and festivals.

This year will see the company travel to Melbourne, Australia in July to take part in a collaboration and performance with Origins Dance Company, as well as perform at the Australian Youth Dance Festival.

Anna Kenrick, YDance artistic director said: “Finding opportunities for the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland to perform internationally is an extremely important part of their programme.

“Not only does it show other parts of the world the dance talent Scotland has and the quality of the youth dance sector, it exposes the dancers to range of teachers, techniques and styles of work and develops them as a dancer, creator and artist.

“These exchange programmes also teach them about being a global citizen and connects them with young people across the world who have the same passions and motivations.

“In these challenging social times this element is extremely important.”