Welcome
U.Dance
Thinking of applying for a U.Dance
Regional Platform for 2024? Click here to
find out more!
U.Dance is the national programme of events offering high quality
dance opportunities to young people.
Each year, our nation’s young dancers can explore their creativity, learn more
about dance careers, and experience the thrill and sense of achievement
of performing!
Dance that’s up your street!
Hello! Thank you so much for visiting us to register your U.Dance Local event.
We are currently making some changes to our U.Dance Local provision and have put a hold on registrations. We are contactable at [email protected] if you would like to share any details of your planned event.
Many Thanks
The One Dance UK Team
Leaping across your region!
U.Dance Regional Platforms, which take place across the UK, offer exciting performance and workshop opportunities to thousands of young dancers each year. Regional Platforms are hosted by a network of partner organisations and take place each spring, showcasing the talents of the region’s young dancers.
Regional Platforms take place in the spring each year and form part of the selection process for the U.Dance National Festival. Groups and individual dancers of all dance styles are able to enter, aged 11-19, or up to 25 for disabled dancers! We can’t wait to see your incredible work!
The 2024 Regional Platforms take place from February-May 2024. Applications are now open!
Interested in finding out more?
Click below for the U.Dance 2024 Application Pack which has lots of information including on eligibility, criteria, contacts and what’s in store at the U.Dance Regional Platforms and National Festival.
Regional Platform Contacts
Contact the organisation in your region to find out more about their Regional Platform.
Region | Organisation | Contact |
---|---|---|
East England | DanceEast (applications now closed) | www.danceeast.co.uk |
East Midlands | FABRIC | www.fabric.dance |
London | Trinity Laban | www.trinitylaban.ac.uk |
North East England | Dance City | www.dancecity.co.uk |
North West England | The Lowry | www.thelowry.com |
Northern Ireland | DU Dance | www.dudanceni.com/contact-us |
Scotland | YDance | www.ydance.org |
South East England | South East Dance | www.southeastdance.org.uk |
South West England | Exim Dance/Pavilion Dance South West | www.eximdance.org.uk |
Wales | National Youth Arts Wales | www.nyaw.org.uk |
West Midlands | FABRIC | www.fabric.dance |
Yorkshire | Yorkshire Dance | www.yorkshiredance.com |
Meet the U.Dance Team
“I have a particular fondness for U.Dance. Over many years, I have seen how important it is, how ins...More
SIR RICHARD ALSTON
“I have a particular fondness for U.Dance. Over many years, I have seen how important it is, how inspiring, for young people from all over the country to meet each other to perform, share, and learn.“
Amy studied dance at Middlesex University before completing her MSc in Dance Science at Trinity Laba...More
AMY ROBERTS
Amy studied dance at Middlesex University before completing her MSc in Dance Science at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. After discovering her passion for teaching, Amy went on to work in secondary schools and colleges and created her own dance-based fitness classes for adults. Currently Amy teaches A Level Dance at an FE college in addition to her role at One Dance UK. She is delighted that her children are beginning to take a keen interest in dance and musical theatre, as it gives her the perfect excuse to go to the theatre!
Rebecca joined One Dance UK after a career of over 20 years working in the dance sector. Her roles h...More
REBECCA BERTRAM
Rebecca joined One Dance UK after a career of over 20 years working in the dance sector. Her roles have included dancing professionally, working at The Place in Artist Development, Programme Manager for Essexdance, dance teaching in schools and community classes, Fundraising, Editing and Project Management and as Tour Booker for Springs Dance Company. Rebecca would love to take a dance class with Merce Cunningham.
Cameron manages large projects for One Dance UK, and has a particular focus on diversity. Alongside ...More
CAMERON BALL
Cameron manages large projects for One Dance UK, and has a particular focus on diversity. Alongside his work editing, producing and programming, Cameron teaches and lectures at leading arts colleges and schools around Europe. Prior to this he appeared in the West End and worldwide in many dance and theatre productions.
Laura is proud to lead One Dance UK’s strategy and operations to ensure all young people have access...More
LAURA NICHOLSON
Laura is proud to lead One Dance UK’s strategy and operations to ensure all young people have access to high-quality dance provision, both in and out of school. She previously worked in the mainstream secondary education sector as a dance teacher, Assistant Headteacher and dance education consultant.
U.Dance National Festival
Step onto the national stage!
The largest event of its kind, the U.Dance National Festival is a celebration of youth dance. Groups from around the country perform on professional stages, take part in workshops with leading dance professionals, and are offered inspiring dance careers information.
The U.Dance National Festival 2024 will be held 12-14 July in Liverpool!
Groups who take part are normally selected via a U.Dance Regional Platform, held each spring across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The U.Dance National Festival 2023 was held in Newcastle from 21-23 July, along with film showcases at BFI Southbank, London, and online. This special event was presented by One Dance UK in partnership with Northern Stage, Dance City, Newcastle College, TIN Arts, BFI Southbank and NYDC (England). The event saw:
5 Showcases
7 Careers Talks
24 Workshops
61 Groups
500+ dancers
Thousands of audience members
Thank you to everyone who helped make the U.Dance National Festival 2023 such a success!
To get a taste of what the event is like, check out this video from the 2022 U.Dance National Festival, held in Birmingham.
Further Learning
Interested in learning more about the dance industry or a career in dance? These pages contain lots of information to help you access lots of high-quality information to enhance your dance teaching or learning, and find out about the various training and career options there are for dancers. Information has been prepared with U.Dance National Festival partners.
HELPFUL RESOURCES AND LINKS
Pursuing a career in dance is challenging but rewarding. This is a comprehensive guide to studying for and exploring a career in dance. Whether you want to work on or off stage, find information about training, funding, different career pathways and much more.
Click the images below to visit the Guide to Careers in Dance, or One Dance UK’s Careers Hub.