Lowry Centre seeks young dancers

Published: 9 May 2019
Reporter: Vera Liber

Matthew Rawcliffe in Axon at UDance 2016 Nationals Credit: Brian Slater

The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training in Dance is holding free open days and audition preparation classes for aspiring young dancers (aged 11 to 16 years) before auditions on 6 June 2019 at The Lowry in Salford for this year's training programme.

The Lowry CAT is part of a national programme—Centres for Advanced Training funded by the Department of Education’s Music and Dance Scheme—to identify and assist children with exceptional potential, regardless of personal circumstances, to benefit from specialist training as part of a broad and balanced education.

Graduates from the course have gone on to study dance at major UK conservatories and vocational schools and to perform with Matthew Bourne's New Adventure's, Motionhouse, VERVE Graduate Dance Company, EDge Graduate Dance Company, Southpaw Dance Company, Jasmin Vardimon 2 and others.

Matthew Rawcliffe, The Lowry CAT Graduate 2017 and BBC Young Dancer 2019 Grand Final contender, said, “The Lowry CAT scheme helped me understand the discipline required to be a professional dancer. It allowed me to realise dance was something I was passionate about and it opened my mind to many opportunities in dance. As a Lowry CAT student, I worked with so many dance professionals, it was so inspirational, and it gave me the confidence to audition for Rambert School. I am now in my second year and competing in the BBC Young Dancer Grand Final! For any young dancer looking for a way into the profession, guidance and support, I can’t recommend The Lowry CAT enough.”

Sally Wyatt, Centre for Advanced Training Manager, said, “the open days and audition come at a very exciting time for The Lowry CAT as Matthew wins the BBC Young Dancer 2019 Contemporary Dance category and reaches the Grand Final. Matthew is an incredibly hard working and dedicated individual and has an exceptional talent for performance and choreography. We are extremely proud of all his achievements and hope his success inspires more young dancers from the North West to audition for The Lowry CAT."

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