National Dance Centres for Advanced Training (CATs)

National Dance CATs indentify children with exceptional potential in dance and develop their talent through pioneering programmes; creating and inspiring future generations of world class dancers and choreographers.

Through the provision of highly specialised training, young people are educated at a critical stage in their development. This prepares them for entry into the world’s leading vocational dance schools and onto successful and rewarding careers in the arts.

These Centres are supported through the Department for Education (DfE) funded Music and Dance Scheme, and operate from host organisations. Successful applicants are able to access highly specialist dance training in their region, while continuing to live at home and benefit from a broad and balanced education.

Non-residential, professional dance training

National Dance CATs deliver accessible, non-residential, professional training programmes for young people aged 10 to 18 years. Centres are pioneers in prevocational training and research, promoting best practice and providing exceptional and innovative tuition to young people.

Centres maintain close links with leading dance companies and artists, creating opportunities for children to work and build relations with future employers. This also provides young people with an inspiring yet realistic insight into the profession.

'CAT schemes offer an amazing opportunity for talented young people to gain experience of what it's really like to be a professional dancer.  It's the kind of experience that I would have relished at that age as I struggled to find a way of expressing my desire to dance.' Rafael Bonachela, Artistic Director, Sydney Dance Company

The nine National Dance CATs are:

• Dance City CAT (Newcastle)
• Yorkshire Young Dancers - Northern Ballet and Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds)
• The Lowry CAT (Salford, Manchester)
• Dance4 CAT (Nottingham)
• DanceXchange Centre for Advanced Training for South Asian and Contemporary Dance (Birmingham)
• DanceEast Academy (Ipswich)
• The Place CAT - London Contemporary Dance School (London)
• Laban CAT (Greenwich, London)
• Swindon Dance - Youth Dance Academy (Swindon)

This network allows students to work together on national projects and initiatives. It also provides a support system for CAT staff and enables the sharing of policy initiatives and best practice.

The Music CAT for the East of England, Aldeburgh Young Musicians, is based at Aldeburgh Music, Suffolk. For more information call 01728 687115.

Contact the DanceEast Academy

The DanceEast Academy is always looking to meet talented young people who will benefit from the training. To find out more call the team on: 01473 295230 / email academy@danceeast.co.uk

www.nationaldancecats.co.uk
www.education.gov.uk

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Photo: Stephen Berkeley-White

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