On Saturday 2 August, our DanceEast Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) students took part in their End of Year Show. It was a truly wonderful day full of celebration of all the hard work the students have put in over the last year, alongside some tears as we said goodbye to our 2025 graduates. We take a look back at their time on the programme, sharing their highlights and advice for future students who may be interested in a career in dance.
Each year, graduating students take part in Audition Toolkit and this is a common favourite memory amongst the group. They travel across the country to experience workshops and taster classes at Trinity Laban, The Place and Northern School of Contemporary Dance, connecting with other passionate young dancers and finding out more about the process of auditioning. This year was no different, with many of our grads saying this was the highlight during their time on the CAT. Betsy said “toolkit – feeling accepted into a community of amazing dancers” was her best memory and Amy agreed “audition toolkit and performing with Alleyne Dance.”
Although, it’s not just the Audition Toolkit that is a highlight during the CAT year for our graduates, Eden’s best memory was “…the breaking day where the whole CAT went downstairs and showed the hip hop moves they had made – I did mine with my brother, I loved it.”
Time on the DanceEast CAT not only teaches our students different dance styles and techniques, but they each take away a whole host of other skills and learnings. Mari told us her best lesson learnt was to “remember to listen to my body and to use my individual strengths and personality to enhance my dancing skills.”. Whilst Reggie told us “don’t be afraid to work with people that aren’t your close friends. It’s fun to see what comes out of collaboration, and I think it’s been important to explore this with different people.”
Each year, our CAT students have the chance to work with a range of choreographers and artists during their Spring and Summer Intensives as well as one off workshops and takeover days. The Spring and Summer Intensives are a chance for students to work on choreography which is then shared in the End of Year Show. Jaz’s favourite End of Year Show piece was “Southpaw was my favourite end of year show I’ve ever performed as it was a new style I performed on stage and I got a leading role!!” Lucy took us back to 2023 and reminisced that “working with SAY…both the creation and performance was thoroughly enjoyable” was her favourite End of Year Show moment, while Esme’s favourite choreographers to work with was this year, “working with Hofesh Shechter DC this year has been the most rewarding challenge, by pushing me out of my comfort zone and teaching me so much about intention and qualities behind movement.”
In September, we not only welcome back existing students, but also a group of new students who are ready to embark on their Centre for Advanced Training journey. Our 2025 graduates shared their advice for the young people starting their first year. Charlie said to “put your all into everything you do and try and make the most of all the time you have at CAT.” Josh advises to “take the time to find yourself and who you are as a dancer. Your classes can help so much but also remember there is a whole world of individual movement in your body only you can access, so nurture it.”
All that is left to say is a huge ‘good luck’ to our graduates, we wish you all the best in your next adventure.
Interested in finding out more, or joining the DanceEast CAT? You can find out more here.
