Hampshire Youth Dance Company
Pre-professional training and performance experience
Hampshire Youth Dance Company is dedicated to providing pre-professional training and performance experience of the highest quality for aspiring young dancers aged 13-21 years from across the region.
The year-long training is supported by the Linbury Trust and follows a carefully designed programme to develop aspiring young dancers' technique, creative and performance skills as well as audition preparation and support for those wishing to pursue dance and the arts further.
Through demanding technique classes, explorative creative sessions, opportunity to perform and work with professional choreographers and an advance training programme, HYDC takes aspiring young dancers to the next level of their training.
Training
HYDC perform across the country and are given the opportunity to work with leading industry professionals, offering passionate and committed young dancers a way to experience professionalism and establish connections in the broader dance community.
Previous members have been offered places at Rambert School, The Place, Laban, Northern Contemporary Dance School, London Studio Centre, Bird College, Tring Park School for Performing Arts.
Weekly Content
HYDC train in contemporary dance along side this, company members are provided with ballet sessions as the foundation of all dance styles. Ballet supports their technical development and sessions are delivered with the contemporary dance body in mind. In addition, supplementary techniques such as improvisation, yoga and body conditioning are also integrated into the training programme.
Example schedule
5.30pm - 6.30pm Ballet for the contemporary dancer (fixed time)
6.30pm - 7.15pm Contemporary technique class
7.15pm – 8.30pm Choreographic development, creation of performance work and company tour preparation and rehearsals
Each year, The Point commissions a well-known dance company or choreographer to create a work on HYDC during an intensive rehearsal period in February half-term, ahead of their tour. Previous companies include: Jasmin Vardimon Company, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Botis Seva, Richard Alston Dance Company, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Ceyda Tanc and Joss Arnett Dance.
Work is also created with rehearsal director Tory East who choreographs work which also forms part of the company’s touring repertoire. The company perform at a variety of regional venues and platforms including in their home theatre at The Point, Eastleigh. In both 2016 and 2017, HYDC were selected to represent the South West Region at the three day National U.Dance 2019 Festival.
HYDC also have a partnership with Rambert School. This gives company members the opportunity to gain insight into training at conservatoire level. The company work with two emerging choreographers from the school as part of the Rambert School Commission project during the Easter holidays. This work is performed in the Rambert School Graduate Showcase at The Point.
2021 Applicant Information
Auditions to be part of Hampshire Youth Dance Company will take place on 5th June and 25th July 2021 with the application process opening in April 2021.
Dancers from all backgrounds, dance styles and dance experience levels are encouraged to apply. We look for passion, potential, and determination amongst our company members. We encourage our dancers to arrive with an open mind, a desire to achieve and a readiness to work.
Dancers do not need previous experience in Ballet to join the company; this is offered to support their Contemporary training.
Supported by
The year-long training is generously supported by the Linbury Trust.
