YouthFest 2025
A dance festival created for young people, by young people!
Join us on Saturday 1 November for our free one-day festival celebrating dance, the arts and Ipswich’s vibrant and ever-growing creative community. Whether you’re a dancer, visual artist, musician or just someone who loves to create, YouthFest 2025 has something for you. Immerse yourself in live performances and practical workshops that explore dance alongside other art forms. Or come along to enjoy the positive energy that comes from simply moving your body.
“It was really fun, and I loved the new experience. I haven’t done dance before and I wasn’t sure it was for me, but I love it.” – YouthFest participant 2024
It is also a great chance to connect with like-minded creatives from the local area, all within the welcoming and inspiring environment of the Jerwood DanceHouse. Everyone is welcome to get involved.
Look out for the full line-up and programme on the DanceEast website.
YouthFest is created and produced by the Young Producers at DanceEast and is shaped by the ideas and voices of young people from our community.
MEET THE YOUNG PRODUCERS
Gabrielle Anthony
Dance has always been part of my life, beginning with early training at Anglia Region Theatre School. Following my passion to college in Norwich, and then embarking on a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Dance Performance at University of Chichester. In my third year I was able to tour as a member of 3fall Dance Company. My passion for contemporary dance continues as I am currently studying for my MA in Advanced Practice and Performance. During my studies I have worked with Lîla Dance, Luke Brown, Temitope Ajose-Cutting and Flexer and Sandiland. These not only developed my performance skills but also informed the way that I approach day to day life.
I have always loved collaborating with other artists and helping facilitate them in their artistic vision, this has also sparked an interest in producing. I am so excited to learn the skills needed to produce a dance-based festival.
Marni Cady-Heffer
I have grown up in Ipswich and have danced at DanceEast from a young age, taking hip-hop classes and then joining the DanceEast Centre for Advanced Training. After graduating in 2024 from the University of Lincoln with a BA(Hons) in Dance, I have been working as a freelance dance artist in the community. Last year, I was a recipient of the Boost Bursary from Eastern Angles, match-funded by DanceEast, which led me to work on YouthFest 2024 as a Young Producer and Teaching Assistant in some of the classes. The opportunities that have been fortunately presented to me by DanceEast have been crucial to my artistic development and confidence as a recent graduate, early in my career as a Dance Artist. I have a passion for collaborating with other art forms, facilitating, producing, and choreographing. I also have experience teaching dance and choreographing for schools in the community, which I am passionate about, creating inclusive, safe and supported dance environments.
Suzanne Chung
Though I’m not a dancer, I’d describe myself as a socially-engaged creative (who likes to dance badly in my room). I’m a writer, creative practitioner, and zine maker born and raised in Ipswich. Being a director of Community Hub Ipswich CIC, I’ve worked alongside other grassroots community organisations and local artists to produce events and workshops for people to enjoy, get involved in, and create connections.
My main goals are to uplift young people’s narrative of East Anglia (particularly Ipswich), showing people that there are opportunities to get involved in the arts in their local area, and create measures that allow for the creativity and the arts to be accessible to everyone. You don’t have to move to the big cities to pursue your ambitions. It’s achievable here!
Millie Powell
I’m thrilled to be working as a Young Producer at DanceEast. My journey with DanceEast began in 2007 with my very first dance class and I haven’t stopped dancing since. I discovered my love for contemporary dance through Suffolk Juniors, which led me to joining the DanceEast Centre for Advanced Training and eventually to the University of Chichester, where I earned a First Class Degree in Dance Performance.
I’m deeply passionate about dance and its power to connect people. I truly believe dance is for EVERYONE. This is my second year producing YouthFest, and I’m incredibly excited to be part of the process once again. My goal is to help create a festival that it inclusive, inspiring and joyful. I know that, with this amazing team, we’re going to produce something truly special and memorable.
Francesca Roe
I am a Contemporary Dance Artist based in Essex, freelancing as a teacher, performer and choreographer. I studied at Trinity Laban, graduating in 2024 with a First-Class Honours degree in Contemporary Dance as well as receiving the Simone Michelle Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’.
Through my work, whether that be in my choreography or classes, I am passionate about collaboration and creating safe and supportive spaces for people to share their ideas and their art, which is why I was drawn to this role. I have always admired DanceEast for their dedication to nurturing the creativity of young people. Therefore, being a part of producing an event with them is an opportunity I am very grateful for and really looking forward to.
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