On Saturday 29 March, Youth Dance England’s southwest regional platform (U.Dance SW) took place at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre in Taunton, where fifteen youth dance groups showcased their work to each other, a public audience and a selection panel, as part of the recent month-long Spring Forward Festival.

Amid the outstanding quality of work presented, the panel of dance professionals selected Somerset Youth Dance Company and a group from Cornwall (For Funks Sake) to represent the southwest region and perform at the national four-day YDE dance festival at Nottingham in June, which will include some twenty selected youth groups from across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as National Dance Companies from each country.

SYDC, which is run by Take Art's Director of Dance, Katey Leader, was selected for their excellent performance of the piece, Falling to Take Flight, choreographed for them by innovative contemporary dance company Retina. SYDC wanted Retina as their choreographers after taking part in one of their inspirational workshops at last year’s national platform. They are now thrilled to have come full circle and to be taking this piece to Nottingham to perform. Congratulations SYDC!

SYDC photos: Beata Kosc Photography