Calling All New Dancers!

Hooked on Strictly? Think you’ve got the moves to win So You Think You Can Dance? If you’re aged between 13 and 16 and are interested in being a professional dancer, get down to Laban in Deptford. The leading dance centre is looking for young people to join its Centre of Advanced Training (CAT), an innovative programme offering top quality training to those with exceptional talent and potential in dance.

Laban’s CAT is part of a national programme funded and developed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Music and Dance Scheme, and students come from all walks of life. They work with top dance teachers and dance artists in weekly classes on Saturdays and one evening a week in term time, as well as taking part in special projects during school holidays. The programme includes contemporary dance, ballet, choreography, dance fitness and health, performance opportunities, visits to dance performances, collaborative projects and careers advice. 
 
CAT students also take part in workshops and performance projects with well-known dance companies and choreographers. Recent CAT graduates have gone on to study at leading dance colleges including London Contemporary Dance School, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Laban itself.  DCSF funding is available to every CAT student on a means tested basis and Laban bursaries are also available due to generous support from The Leverhulme Trust.
 
Laban will be holding auditions in April and May.  For more information please contact Martin Collins, Laban’s CAT Programme Manager on 020 8469 9462 or email m.collins@laban.org   

Programme Manager Martin Collins says, 'We’re looking for enthusiastic dancers to start the CAT programme in September 2010. We’re particularly keen to get more boys and young men dancing and the programme includes activities just for boys. CAT dancers get to take part in some really exciting projects – for example, next month they’re performing at Sound Moves, a music and dance extravaganza at the South Bank Centre featuring over 400 young people. It doesn’t matter how much experience you’ve had – if you love dancing, get in touch.'