Be inspired, Feel empowered, Unlock your potential

UKYD Classical + Theatre

The Leanne Benjamin AM OBE
UK CLASSICAL DANCER

Leanne Benjamin

Master precision, expression, and artistry with the UKYD Classical Competition. Designed to nurture your talent and refine your technique, this is your moment to stand out with expert guidance. Unlock your full potential and elevate your passion.

Be part of something extraordinary.

The Dame Arlene Phillips DBE
UK THEATRE DANCER

Dame Arlene Phillips
Seize the unique opportunity of the UKYD Theatre Competition! Discover your style – from Theatre Jazz to Commercial dance – and take it to the next level with top industry professionals. Develop your flair, showcase your talent, and make your mark.
Be part of something extraordinary.

Auditions

January – April

From day one, you’ll work with leading dancers and choreographers who are dedicated to your success. With professional training and personalised feedback at every turn, you’ll unlock your potential and take your skills to new heights.

UKYD is open to dancers aged 14–19 of all abilities, including disabled and non-disabled participants. Assisted places will be available and the competition is built on inclusivity, diversity, and opportunity.

Michelle Ballentyne

Michelle
Ballentyne

Classical Audition Choreographer & Teacher

Project Lead for Ballet Futures: The Pipeline Project at ENB.

Brett Sewell

Brett
Sewell

Commercial Audition Choreographer & Teacher

Dancer and Choreographer

Stuart Winter

Stuart
Winter

Theatre Jazz Audition Choreographer & Teacher

Resident Director of MJ The Musical UK & Artistic Director for Tracing Movement

Read our step-by-step guide to find out more…

Workshops

June

Workshops are held across the UK, and you’ll be assigned to your country of residence. The Top 100 dancers (per category) will learn from leading choreographers and industry professionals.

Bethany Kingsley-Gardener

Bethany
Kingsley-Garner

UKYD Classical Workshop Teacher (all Locations).

Former Principal with Scottish Ballet and now International Ballet Coach and Mentor.

Thomas Edwards

Thomas
Edwards

UKYD Classical Workshop Teacher (Scotland only).

Solist Dancer with Scottish Ballet and Technical Lead for Ballet with Scottish Gymnastics.

Teo Dubreuil

Teo
Dubreuil

UKYD Classical Workshop Teacher (England only)

Soloist of the Royal Ballet.

Find out more >

Richard Roe

Richard
Roe

UKYD Theatre Workshop Teacher (all locations).

Choreographer, Movement Director & Performer.

Read our step-by-step guide to find out more…

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Workshop

Classical & Theatre – 1 June

Doogan Dance Academy, Unit 14,
Enkalon Ind Est, Randalstown Rd,
Antrim, BT41 4LD

w3w.co/parks.ignore.hops

Supported by Doogan Dance Academy.

DooganDance.com

Wales Workshop

Classical & Theatre – 15 June

Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre,
Pierhead St, Cardiff CF10 4PH

w3w.co/remind.minds.rocks

Supported by Centre Stage Festival.
CentreStageDanceFestival.com

Wales Millennium Centre
Glasgow Royal Conservatoire

Scotland Workshop

Classical & Theatre – 21 June

Glasgow Royal Conservatoire of Scotland,
210 Garscube Road, Glasgow G4 9RR

w3w.co/format.poster.patio

Supported by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

England Workshop

Classical – 22 June

Theatre – 29 June

Trinity Laban Dance Faculty, London SE8 3FB

w3w.co/enjoy.soft.belt

Supported by Trinity Laban
TrinityLaban.ac.uk

Laban Dance

Finals Coaching & Judges

July & August

Finalists receive one-to-one coaching with leading industry professionals, including Artistic Directors Leanne Benjamin (Classical) and Dame Arlene Phillips (Theatre).

Refine your Set Piece with expert guidance to prepare for the Finals and take your performance to the next level.

Leanne Benjamin

Leanne
Benjamin AM OBE

UKYD Classical Finals Judge

Former Royal Ballet Principal Ballerina, Artistic Director, and Principal Coach & Mentor to young professionals.

Find out more >

Steven McRae

Steven
McRae

UKYD Classical Finals Judge

Principal of the Royal Ballet.

Find out more >

Dame Arlene Phillips

Dame Arlene
Phillips DBE

UKYD Theatre Finals Judge

A world-renowned, double Olivier award-winning choreographer and theatre director, honoured with a Damehood for services to dance and charity.

Find out more >

Dame Arlene Phillips

Kate
Prince MBE

UKYD Theatre Finals Judge

Five time Olivier Award nominated choreographer, director and writer, Kate Prince, is the Artistic Director and Founder of renowned dance company ZooNation – and has worked across theatre, film and television for 25 years.

Find out more >

Read our step-by-step guide to find out more…

Grand Final

7 September

Perform at…

Clore Studios, Royal Opera House

The Top 20 dancers from Classical and Theatre categories will perform at the prestigious Clore Studios, Royal Opera House, on 7th September 2025.

  • Begin the day with a masterclass led by an industry professional.
  • Perform your Set Piece and a Free Solo (max 1.5 minutes), showcasing your unique style and creativity.

Prizes

Winners
£1000 + £500 Freed of London voucher

Runners-up
£500 + £250 Freed of London voucher

Royal Opera House

2024 Winners

Classical Judges: Gary Avis, Leanne Benjamin, Lauren Cuthbertson
Theatre Judges: Matt Cole, Drew McOnie, Arlene Phillips
UKYD Classical Winners 2024

UKYD Classical Dancer

Winner
Poppy Griggs
Runners Up
Ella Mitchell & Siena Murphy
UKYD Theatre 14-16 Winners 2024

UKYD Theatre Dancer 14-16

Winner
Kristen-Leigh Petit
Runners Up
Megan Hannay & Rafferty Ebury
UKYD Theatre 17-19 Winners 2024

UKYD Theatre Dancer 17-19

Winner
Ali Durvesh
Runners Up
Max McIlvenny & Kit Swaddling

In Association with

ArtEd
Trinity Laban

Sponsored by

Ashley & Lizette Head   |   Janice Fullman   |   Laura Symonds   |   Sussex Opera & Ballet Society

Ashley & Lizette Head
Janice Fullman
Laura Symonds
Sussex Opera & Ballet Society

2025 Timeline

18 Jan

Entries Open

 

25 Apr

Entries Close

 

16 May

Workshop Dancers Announced

 

1 Jun

Ireland Workshops

 

15 Jun

Wales Workshops

 

21 Jun

Scotland Workshops

 

22 Jun

England Classical Workshop

 

29 Jun

England Theatre Workshop

 

6 Jul

Finalist Dancers Announced

 

Jul/Aug

Finalists Coaching Sessions

 

1 Aug

Finalist Free Solo Video Deadline

 

7 Sep

Classical & Theatre Finals

 

Lily Routledge, UKYD Classical Winner

‘I loved all the classes and workshops leading up to the competition  with amazing teachers. Along with the unbelievable opportunity of being coached by Leanne Benjamin which was a dream come true!’

Beatriz Kingsmill-Smith, UKYD Theatre Winner

‘UK Young Dancer was such an amazing opportunity that I am so grateful to have been a part of. Surrounded by so many talented dancers; the experience was exciting and exhilarating to participate in.’

Catherine Webster, Guernsey Academy

‘The whole concept of the competition was so professional, no costumes and the same routine taught to all by industry professionals, which gave the competitors a true insight in how to stand out at an audition… An amazing experience!’

Abigail Bloomfield, North Star Academy

‘I loved the experience. Everyone was so supportive. Arlene and Charlotte were a real inspiration. Thank you so much!’

Jayne A Coleman, Academy of Dance

‘UKYD, was without a doubt one of the highlights of the year for my dancers, a fabulous opportunity and experience, in participating in the UKYD Top 50 and then reaching the finals. You made their year!’

Scott Millar – UKYD Classical Runner-Up

‘UKYD was one of the most enriching training experiences I’ve ever had’

Darcey-Dee Springer, UKYD Theatre Runner-Up

‘An incredible experience to learn from such inspiring people in the dance industry. Dancing in the finals in front of an esteemed audience was a memorable and valuable experience’

 

Ellie Harle, Academy Theatre Arts

‘I am really grateful to have taken part in the UK Young Dancer competition. Learning a set piece was a different experience for me, which was challenging but so rewarding. To have performed at the royal opera house for such an incredible panel of judges.’

Troy Anderson Dancer

How to enter

1. Access Connect

Click the ‘Enter Now’ button

Sign in or Sign up

2. Create Student

If your student is already in your portal, you can skip this step.

3. Watch Videos

On the UKYD page of Connect, click to watch the audition videos.

4. Submit Entries

Scroll down to the entry form and submit your students’ details.

If your videos aren’t ready, you can still enter and upload them later (before 25 April).

5. Make Payment

Go to the Payments section and complete your payment to confirm your entry.

Read our step-by-step guide to find out more…

Image: Troy Anderson, UKYD Finalist 2023