Somerset Youth Dance Company - SYDC
Somerset Youth Dance Company (SYDC) is a group of gifted and talented young dancers from throughout Somerset, aged 13-21, who share a passion for Dance and an enthusiasm for performing together.
SYDC is a contemporary based company but they also explore other styles of dance such as street dance. Company members are selected through an audition process held at the beginning of the academic year. Once selected the group meet for weekly contemporary technique class as well as working with professional guest choreographers intensively during half term. The company perform together regularly at various exciting events including curtain raisers for touring companies and dance showcases such as Take Art’s Spring Forward.
Take Art Effect
In 2014 SYDC ‘s aspiring young dancers were selected to represent the South West at the National YDE Festival, U.Dance and perform their piece Falling to Take Flight, choreographed for them by Retina Dance Company. This was a great experience for members of the company who took part in the festival’s workshops, careers sessions and social activities during the three and half day residential.
Previous Achievements
The company is finding continued success on both local and national dance stages, having performed at the national Youth Dance England's U.Dance events in Nottingham July 2014 and in Leeds in 2013, as well as Glastonbury Festival in 2013. They also perform at annual county and regional youth dance platforms.
Previous members of SYDC have been selected to represent England as part of Youth Dance England's National Youth Dance Company and regionally have been selected onto various CAT schemes. Dancers continue to achieve places at Dance Schools and Universities with ex-members now at LIPA, Stella Mann, Urdang, Laban, Roehampton, DeMontfort & Bournemouth.
The company’s achievements are partially due to their incredible hard work but also to professional choreographers: Steven Martin (Retina Dance Company); Becky Williams and Junior Cunningham (Motionhouse Dance Company); Raquel Meseguer (Lost Dog); Louise Barrett (Pretty Good Girl); Carrie Madgwick; Steve Johnson; Maxine Cowlin; Kayleigh Crook (Chhaya Collective); Hayley Barker; Chris Mead; Richard Alston; Jasmin Vardimon; Retina, Phoenix; Joan Clevillé; Joseph Toonga and Stomp, who have all helped the group create professional pieces.