Scottish Youth Dance - Project Y 2009

 July/August 2009

Scottish Youth Dance receives Foundation Funding from the Scottish Arts Council

Young dancers from Scotland (as far away as Orkney and Ayr) are spending 4 weeks working to create an exciting new programme of dance pieces with choreographers Daniel Aing, Andy Howitt, Allan Irvine and Anna Kenrick before heading out on a short Scottish tour taking place in Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Project Y Project Y is open to dancers aged 16 - 21 on the start date of the course, and is primarily a contemporary dance company, but the performances often combine a number of different styles including street dance, ballet and break dance. Project Y begins with a run of performances based in a Scottish city, followed by a series of tour dates across the country.

Who are the Project Y Choreographers?

Daniel Aing - after first learning Capoeira Daniel went on to discover a passion for dance and has spent many years developing his skills as a Breakdancer. Daniel now works with a range of organisations delivering Street Dance, Contemporary and Breakdance sessions to a wide variety of ages. Andy Howitt - Born in Fife, Andy danced with the Fife Youth Dance Company before going to the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London. He went on to work with a number of dance companies before being appointed Dance Director for the Tag Theatre Company. In 1999 Andy became Artistic Director of YDance and has created a number of dance productions especially for young people. Allan Irvine - Allan started Breakdancing in 1984. He studied dance at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance and Northern School of Contemporary Dance. He teaches, choreographs and performs and has worked with professional and commnuity groups, National Theatre of Scotland and for national dance agencies and Local Authorities all over the UK. Allan has been Youth Dance Worker at Dance Base, Edinburgh, since 2001. In 1996 Allan established his award winning company, Freshmess, who perform and teach a unique blend of Hip Hop and Contemporary styles. Anna Kenrick - Anna trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, graduating in 1999 after which she went to work with the Education Team at The Place, London. In 2002 Anna joine Ludus Dance Company where she worked as both a dancer and teacher. She performed in tours as well as working with choreographers Rosie Kay, Philip Van Huffel and Hannah Gillgren. She joined YDance in 2007 and choreographed Freefall for Project Y 2008.

To find out more about Scottish Youth Dance (YDance) and Project Y, and for information on applying

for Project Y 2010, please visit the YDance website.