A talented young dancer from Edinburgh has been selected for a place in the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland – the flagship contemporary dance company for Scotland’s exceptional young dancers.
Corrie McKenzie (20) was chosen by YDance (Scottish Youth Dance) – the national dance organisation for children and young people in Scotland – after a rigorous audition process which saw 60 of Scotland’s most talented young dancers apply for one of 13 spaces.
Launched in 2012 by YDance – the national dance organisation for children and young people in Scotland – the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland work with Anna Kenrick (YDance Artistic Director and NYDCS Choreographer) to develop their technical, creative and performance skills through a series of creation intensive weekends. Members also have the opportunity to perform both nationally and internationally at a number of high-profile events and festivals.
Corrie is studying a BA in Contemporary Dance Performance at the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee. She has also taken part in one of YDance’s other talent development programmes, the Project Y Performance Course – a four- week intensive dance training programme for talented dancers aged 16 to 21 held over the summer. This is her third year with NYDCS.
Corrie said: “I wanted to join NYDCS as I remember how much I enjoyed my first Project Y experience. Watching the other NYDCS members, I wanted to be around their committed and positive energy. The idea of creating work and representing Scotland on an international level means a lot to me.”
Corrie will now join 12 other dancers to work with Anna Kenrick to create an exciting new piece to be premiered in February 2018 and toured nationally and internationally until August. In March, the Company will jet off to Melbourne, Australia to take part in an exchange and performance opportunity with Yellow Wheel Dance Company.
Anna Kenrick, YDance Artistic Director and NYDCS Choreographer said: “The National Youth Dance Company of Scotland was formed to ensure that the extremely talented young contemporary dancers we have in Scotland have an opportunity to show their talent to the rest of the country, UK and world. Since 2012, the company has grown from strength to strength, performing in a variety of big name venues and festivals and receiving outstanding feedback. This year the talent at the audition was incredible, making it very hard to select only 13. However, the ones who made it through did shine with their incredible technical skills and creative voice which showed individuality and honesty. They showed they had what it takes to be a member of the company. I’m sure this company is going to flourish and together we will create a new piece which will show audiences the talent they have.”
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Other photo: National-Youth-Dance-Company-of-Scotland-with-Anna-Kenrick-Photo-Paul-Watt-Photography-and-YDance
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
