Young dancers from Merseyside invited to take their first steps towards a life on stage
ASPIRING dancers from Merseyside are
urged to follow in the footsteps of talented dancers performing with prestigious
international dance companies, by visiting the Centre for Advanced Training in
Dance Open Day this weekend.
The possibility of a year's free dance schooling, including training in ballet
and choreography skills, for young people from Merseyside is being offered in
return for attending at an informal open day and meeting friendly tutors from
the Centre for Advanced Training in Dance (CAT). The CAT Open Day is the first
step towards final audition for the innovative scheme, which aims to help young
people gain access to further training and careers in prestigious performing
arts schools and companies.
By stepping forward with dreams of becoming the next Darcey Bussell or Matthew
Bourne, auditioning for a place on the CAT scheme has set the wheels in motion
for hundreds of young people from the North West of England since it began in
2010. Former graduates have successfully auditioned for The Northern School of
Contemporary Dance, Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance and The Brit
School amongst others.
The Merseyside CAT Open Day takes place this weekend:-
Sunday, 17 May 2015, 10.30am to 3pm
Rare Studios
56 Wood Street
Liverpool
L1 4AQ
The Open Day is free to attend, but must be booked in advance by contacting The Lowry's box office on:- 0843 208 6000
Organisers are keen to see as many talented
pairs of feet from Merseyside for this year's final audition which takes place
at The Lowry, Salford on Sunday, 7 June 2015, helping local youngsters experience
similar success by taking a place at the CAT. The judging criteria are all about
potential, so previous experience isn't vital.
Jonathan Poole, CAT Manager at The Lowry, says:- "The urge to dance is in
most of us, but it can be difficult to know where to start if you think
performing arts might be the career for you. The CAT scheme offers young people
from 12 to 16 the opportunity of joining us to gain and develop skills in
disciplines as varied as choreography and Pilates, moving on to explore
opportunities with many of the most famous companies in dance and performance.
All it takes is coming to see us, whatever your skill level, and giving it a
go."
Funded by the Department for Education's Music and Dance Scheme, joining the CAT
would open the door to 10 to 14 hours per week of active tutoring for the
fortunate auditionees, alongside regular Intensive Weekends, Easter
Choreographic Courses and Summer schools. Means tested grants allow young
dancers to access the scheme regardless of their social and family backgrounds.
All classes are taught by professional dance teachers and choreographers who
have worked with distinguished ballet and contemporary dance companies in the UK
and abroad.
To find out more about the North West CAT and to download the Audition
Application form please visit:-
NorthWestDance.Org.UK/CAT.
To find out more about the National Dance CATs please visit:-
NationalDancecats.Co.UK.
Would be dancers can also as the CAT team a direct question about the audition
process and what happens next, by emailing:-
CAT@thelowry.com or calling:- 0161 876
2018.
