In 2023, the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) celebrates its 10th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the group begins a UK tour this month before arriving at Sadler’s Wells on June 3.
Described as the country’s flagship company for young dancers, which is run by Sadler’s Wells, the tour features the NYDC’s new work, Novacene.
It is choreographed by guest artistic director and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Wayne McGregor.
The NYDC comprises 35 dancers, aged between 16 and 24 years old, hailing from 19 towns, cities and villages across England.
During a dancer’s time with NYDC, they are offered a unique insight into the dance profession, living and working closely together as a company, alongside NYDC staff and the artistic team. The year-long experience within the company provides members with the necessary skills and techniques to find career opportunities and raise aspirations, self-esteem and confidence. The dancers are mentored during four intensive residencies in school holidays to create and rehearse the new piece.
Over the last 10 years, NYDC has worked with more than 6,000 young people through workshops and projects across the country, while 313 young people have joined the company, creating 10 full length dance productions by internationally renowned choreographers including Alesandra Seutin, Russell Maliphant, Botis Seva, Sharon Eyal, Damien Jalet, Michael Keegan Dolan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan and Jasmin Vardimon.