One Dance UK is moving its U.Dance National Festival online this year for a weekend of streamed dance masterclasses, showcases, careers talks and information sessions for young people from 17–19 July 2020 and accessible for free.
There will be dance masterclasses in a range of styles featuring artists from the UK dance companies, choreography challenges, industry and career information sessions, dance showcases and more. The event is aimed at dancers aged 11–19 years or up to 25 if the participant has a disability and their teachers and group leaders.
Ballet star Carlos Acosta, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet and Patron of Children and Young People’s Dance at One Dance UK, said, “I have always been an advocate of increasing dance opportunities for young people. U.Dance Digital 2020 is a chance for aspiring dancers from across the country to take part in a national event, learn from the best and get inspired about the amazing careers in dance that await them.”
Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive of One Dance UK, added, “the U.Dance programme of events, with its thousands of young participants at platforms nationwide, is a huge part of the youth dance network in this country, and has at its heart the aim to be inclusive, accessible and to celebrate achievement and aspiration. It is therefore very exciting that One Dance UK is able to present U.Dance Digital 2020.
“This event will continue in the tradition of previous U.Dance regional events and national festivals, all the while being more inclusive and accessible than ever before, bringing high quality dance workshops and sector knowledge direct to young people all over the country. Whilst we are in a very trying period for the arts, it is important to remember that we will rebuild and grow again, and this celebration of dance will inspire and inform our next generation of dancers, dance makers and dance leaders.”