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Hampshire Youth Dance Company

Pre-professional training & performance experience for aspiring young dancers

The Company

Hampshire Youth Dance Company (HYDC) follows a carefully designed programme to develop aspiring young dancers' technique, creative and performance skills as well as audition preparation and support for those wishing to pursue dance and the arts further. 

Through demanding technique classes, explorative creative sessions, opportunity to perform and work with professional choreographers and an advance training programme, HYDC takes aspiring young dancers to the next level of their training.

HYDC

Training

HYDC perform across the country and are given the opportunity to work with leading industry professionals, offering passionate and committed young dancers a way to experience professionalism and establish connections in the broader dance community.

Previous members have been offered places at Rambert School, The Place, Laban, Northern Contemporary Dance School, London Studio Centre, Bird College, Performers College, Wilkes Academy and Laines Theatre Arts. Our HYDC Alumni are working for some of the most prestigious choreographers and companies as performers and in many other roles in the dance sector both nationally and internationally.

Weekly Content

HYDC train in contemporary dance, alongside this company members are provided with ballet sessions as the foundation of all dance styles. 

Ballet supports their technical development and sessions are delivered with the contemporary dance body in mind. 

In addition, supplementary techniques such as improvisation, yoga and body conditioning are also integrated into the training programme.

Example Schedule

5.30pm - 6.30pm Ballet for the contemporary dancer

6.30pm - 7.15pm Contemporary technique class

7.15pm – 8.30pm Choreographic development, creation of performance work and company tour preparation and rehearsals

Each year, The Point commissions a well-known dance company or choreographer to create a work on HYDC during an intensive rehearsal period in February half-term, ahead of their tour. Previous companies include: Jasmin Vardimon Company, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Botis Seva, Richard Alston Dance Company, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Ceyda Tanc and Joss Arnett Dance.

Work is also created with rehearsal director Tory East who choreographs work which also forms part of the company’s touring repertoire. The company perform at a variety of regional venues and platforms including in their home theatre at The Point, Eastleigh. In both 2016 and 2017, HYDC were selected to represent the South West Region at the three day National U.Dance 2019 Festival.

HYDC also have a partnership with Rambert School. This gives company members the opportunity to gain insight into training at conservatoire level. The company work with two emerging choreographers from the school as part of the Rambert School Commission project during the Easter holidays. This work is performed in the Rambert School Graduate Showcase at The Point.

Cost

Joining HYDC is priced at £400 for the year, payable in two instalments. Bursaries may be available for young people who may need financial assistance.

HYDC Associates

HYDC Associates provides an exciting opportunity for aspiring young dancers aged 13-19 years to access bespoke high quality contemporary dance training. 

Being part of our HYDC Associates does not guarantee a place in the company but this maybe a pathway that the dancer wishes to work towards.

Find Out More
Group of dancers dressed in burgundy dancing in a circle on a dark stage, their backs are to the camera

Image credits: Olivia Wallis Jackson and Ellie Kurttz

Video credit: Ben Williams