Stars line up for online festival to get young people dancing

Some of the biggest names in dance have assembled for a major youth dance festival taking place online next month.

Dame Darcey Bussell, Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaž Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, Boy Blue’s Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy, The Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae and West End star Layton Williams are today confirmed in the line-up for U.Dance Digital 2020.

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The event will be three days of digital dance masterclasses, industry information panels and dance showcases. Running from July 17 to 19, the event is open to dancers aged 11 to 19, or up to 25 with a disability.

U.Dance is the UK’s largest youth dance festival, this year delivered through digital-only platforms for the first time. U.Dance Digital 2020 is a free-to-access event, which will invite young dancers from all over the UK to create, discover and dance with industry leaders.

Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec (photo: Lia Toby/Getty Images)Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec (photo: Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Janette Manrara and Aljaž Skorjanec (photo: Lia Toby/Getty Images)

Sir Richard Alston, champion of U.Dance, said: “Having been involved with the U.Dance National Festival for many years, I have seen the inspiration it gives young dancers from across the country to see how others are as passionate as them about dance.

"This year we have to find a way for you to share with others your passion to achieve great things. Now more than ever, we must make it possible through the help of technology to enable you to create and learn more about the thing you love”.

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Participants will learn from some of the country’s top dance companies, including Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Scottish Dance Theatre, Stopgap, Boy Blue and Zoonation: The Kate Prince Company, and from professionals who work with The Royal Ballet, NDCWales, Rambert, Sadler’s Wells, Mary Poppins, Hamilton, leading dance scientists and many more.

Organised by One Dance UK, the festival will also provide a platform for young choreographers and writers.Each evening, dance fans of all ages can enjoy streams of the best youth dance talent.careers.

Visit udancedigital.com for full details of the festival.