23/10/2009 - County council taps into young dancing talent in Copeland : Cumbria County Council

Auditions are beginning for the dance stars of the future in a county council initiative which encourages young people to live healthier, more active lives and make the most of their talents.

Auditions for the Copeland Youth Dance Company will take place on Tuesday 3rd November between 7-9pm at St Gregory & St Patrick’s Catholic Community School in Whitehaven and will be led by professional dance artist Raymond Roa and Emma Rowbotham, Community Dance Worker for Allerdale & Copeland.

Girls and boys in the Copeland area aged 13-18 years old are all being encouraged to try their hand at the chance to work with professional choreographers and represent Cumbria at dance events across the North West and beyond.

The Copeland Youth Dance Company was formed two years ago as part of a Cumbria County Council project to introduce more community dance opportunities across the county. It meets every Tuesday during term time at St Gregory & St Patrick’s Catholic Community School 7-8pm.

"Copeland Youth Dance Company sessions are both fun and physically challenging," said Emma Rowbotham. "The young people who come along have the opportunity to create innovative and cutting-edge dance theatre. They develop their technical and choreographic skills, and get to perform in venues across the North West. We also provide opportunities to work with professional companies and offer accredited dance leadership awards. You can see clearly week-on-week how these sessions help young people build confidence and self esteem."

County Dance Co-ordinator Lynn Fade said: "Copeland Youth Dance Company is a really important mechanism for identifying local talent. We are able to signpost young people to the North West’s Centre for Advanced Training at The Lowry in Salford and Youth Dance England’s programmes for up-and-coming dance entrepreneurs and choreographers. There are so many accessible opportunities available in dance right now, it’s a great time to for young people to get involved."