TWO exciting nationwide competitions for Classical & Theatre Dancers.
FINALS WILL BE HELD AT THE CLORE STUDIO, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON.SEPTEMBER 2024
UK Young Dancer Winners receive £1000, Runners-up £500
Our Aim
- To find young, gifted dancers in the UK
- To support and develop each dancer to achieve their potential
- To broaden training and create exciting opportunities for young dancers
2024 Competition
The Leanne Benjamin AM OBE
UK CLASSICAL DANCER PRIZE
The Dame Arlene Phillips
UK THEATRE DANCER PRIZE
What will I need to do?
Competitors use the REGISTER NOW button below to receive videos of three set pieces created exclusively for UKYD by our esteemed panel.
Each piece will have both an instructional video and a full demonstration of the whole piece. Competitors choose two from the three pieces to learn and record themselves performing.
Entries are then submitted via the ENTER NOW button at the bottom of this website prior to 8 April.
Coaching panel
Brenda Garratt-Glassman
AED Trustee and former Dance Theatre of Harlem soloist
Shevelle Dynott
AED Patron former English National Ballet Artist
Lucy Banfield
Head of Dance at ArtsEd, Head of Jazz Laine Theatre Arts from April 2024
Sam Francis
CEO, Artistic Director, Choreographer, and Filmmaker of X7eaven
View a short amalgamation of the three Classical pieces that can be downloaded to learn via the Register Now button below.
View a short amalgamation of the Jazz, Lyrical and Commercial pieces that can be downloaded to learn via the Register Now button below.
Some kind words…
Timeline
Entries Open
UK Young Dancer video entries open 31 January and close 22 April.
Workshop
100 dancers in each category will be selected to participate in a workshop in London on 16 June (Classical) & 23 June (Theatre).
Finalists announced
20 finalists in each category will be selected by 3 July 2024.
Finalists in both sections will be required to learn and perform a set solo plus a free choice.
Dancers will receive online coaching and will be mentored by Leanne Benjamin and Dame Arlene Phillips.
Finals
At the Clore Studio, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London in September 2024.
The day will commence with a class conducted by a professional dancer or choreographer before performing in front of an invited audience.
The panel of esteemed judges will include Leanne Benjamin (Classical Dancer) and Dame Arlene Philips (Theatre Dancer).
Entry
- Dancers must be between 14–19 years of age on 01 September 2024 and reside and train in the UK.
- Consent to enter must be obtained from the dance teacher or school Principal.
- Initial entry will be by video submission of the competitor’s chosen dances from the set pieces provided. Each video will be viewed by a panel of dance industry judges, who collectively will select the dancers to proceed to the Workshop.
- Classical and Theatre competitors are required to submit videos of two of the three set pieces.
- AED welcomes all performers; disabled and non-disabled. All performers will be judged equally. Performers are invited to declare any disability or access needs on the entry form. There is an option for the Judges or if preferable, only the organisers to be made aware of these disclosures.