May 7, 2019

The North West Centre for Advanced Training is offering young Cumbrian dancers aged 12 to 18 years a chance to sample life as a professional dancer, potentially leading to a place on the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) scheme.

A series of FREE Open Days across the North West are taking place during May & June to introduce young people to the CAT scheme and to local provision such as Cumbria Youth Dance Company, University courses and community dance classes.

The Centre for Advanced Training, based at The Lowry in Manchester, is celebrating a decade of offering young North West performers aged 12- 18 years a route into the dance industry, preparing them for further professional training.

Cumbria’s Open Day sessions take place on Sunday 19 ^th May, 10.00am to 3.00pm at University of Cumbria, Carlisle AND 1.00pm to 6.00pm at The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal. These Open Day sessions will include a contemporary technique class, creative workshops led by the Centre for Advanced Training, the Brewery Youth Arts team & University of Cumbria tutors, the opportunity to see work performed by Cumbria Youth Dance Company and the chance to ask questions about community and HE dance provision across the Cumbria and the wider north west region. The sessions are free to attend but places must be booked in advance by contacting 07584 251352 or lynn-barnes@outlook.com or online at www.northwestdance.org.uk/CAT .

Lynn Barnes, who co-ordinates the CAT outreach programme across Cumbria and Cumbria Youth Dance Company says, "It’s brilliant that these opportunities continue to be available to talented young people across Cumbria. The CAT scheme provides an amazing standard of training and is an invaluable stepping stone for young people who are thinking about dance as a career option."

Ahead of the Open Days many young people across Cumbria will have also accessed FREE taster sessions in some of the county’s secondary schools.

Following the Cumbria Open Days the final CAT audition will take place at The Lowry, Manchester on Sunday 9 ^th June.