Dancers shortlisted for YDE

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Two talented students from Dame Allan’s have been shortlisted to take part in a countrywide Youth Dance England (YDE) initiative

Holly Nielsen, 17, and Ellis Saul, 17, travelled down to the Royal Opera House in London to take part in a rigorous selection process to choose young choreographers for the YDE Young Creatives programme.  Their work will be assessed by a panel of professionals.

 This YDE programme, run in partnership with The Royal Ballet School and The Royal Opera House, is designed to help budding choreographers create a new work that will be performed on stage at the Royal Opera House.  It gives the students the opportunity to work with prestigious artists, through training weekends, a professional mentor and a week long residential course at The Royal Ballet School’s White Lodge.  It culminates in a performance of their work at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio Theatre.

Ellis performed one of her most recent works (For) Emma in Syntax, Dame Allan’s dance show held over two evenings at Dance City.  Dame Allan’s continues its links with the Centre for Advanced Training based at Dance City, where Ellis and three other dancers from the Girls’ School are studying.

Head of Dance Lynda Clough is keeping her fingers crossed: “This is a fabulous opportunity for Holly and Ellis.  We are extremely proud of them and wish them the very best of luck.”