The Point's Hampshire Youth Dance Company Heads to Nationals Today

The Point is delighted to announce that Hampshire Youth Dance Company has been selected to represent the region at the U. Dance National Youth Dance Festival at The Lowry in Salford this summer.

HYDC have gone from strength to strength this year having worked on a commission with Richard Alston Dance Company and touring the piece around the region. Selected from 31 applicants, the company will now take their work to U. Dance National Youth Dance Festival. The event takes place between Friday 8th - Sunday 10th July and during this time workshops led by industry experts will teach young dancers key skills in interdisciplinary arts.

Hampshire Youth Dance Company also celebrates 20 years with 20 new dancers - all of whom display extraordinary talent, discipline and ambition, seen most recently during their curtain raiser performance on Friday 18th March at The Point as part of an evening of contemporary dance, created by Richard Alston.

"The National U. Dance Festival recognises excellence in dance, and I am incredibly proud of the HYDC dancers and the high standard the company have achieved. These young dancers are the next generation of British dance artists who demonstrate talent in abundance." - Rehearsal Director Tory East.

After a long association with the building, Hampshire Youth Dance Company is now officially part of The Point and together they celebrate two decades of work within the arts. HYDC has trained and inspired hundreds of young dancers in its 20 years, many of whom have gone on to train professionally or join coveted dance companies. The training they receive while at the company is pivotal in paving the way for their future career in the discipline.

To find out more about the company, visit www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk.

The Point is one of the leading venues in the south for contemporary performance. Set up in 1996 with one of the first National Lottery grants and managed by Eastleigh Borough Council it is housed in Eastleigh's former Victorian town hall. Its Creation Space, launched in November 2009, was one of the first of its kind to feature a dedicated "making space" for artists, complete with attached accommodation allowing visiting companies to live on-site while creating new work. In 2015 it was granted National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status by Arts Council - the first time in its history. In 2016, the theatre will celebrate its 20th anniversary, with an exciting programme of events "Now we are 20... imagine what's next" lined-up that will showcase its past, present and exciting future.

Hampshire Youth Dance Company was formed in 1996 to engage, teach, and support the next generation of dancing talent. With a focus on contemporary dance techniques, the company has worked with hundreds of local young people aged 13-21 in its 20 years of practice. Each year HYDC works with guest choreographers to create original new works which then tour through spring and summer to venues around the region. The company has trained hundreds of young dancers in its two decades, with many going on to undertake professional dance training or join coveted dance companies. Led by Rehearsal Director Tory East, the company is now a part of The Point after a long-standing relationship. For more, visit www.thepointeastleigh.co.uk/participate/dance-training/hampshire-youth-dance-company.

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