AN EXCITING opportunity for young dancers has opened up with the return of "aDvance Dance", a chance for teenagers to study with internationally renowned dance professionals.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Arts Development Department have created the contemporary dance company, for ages 14 -18, by working together with arts teams in other local authority areas and National Youth Dance Wales.

Now in its second year, auditions are fast approaching giving young people the chance to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to study contemporary dance with professionals.

Auditions are being held on Saturday, January 10 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff. The three-hour audition will include a contemporary technique class, a ballet class and a short presentation for dancers, parents and dance-leaders about the aDvance programme.

Councillor Gwyn John, Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture, said: “This project is part of our collaboration with ‘Arts Connect’ a partnership between five local authority areas.

"Here in the Vale we promote health and wellbeing through the arts development services. This dance opportunity is a great way for young people to get fit and healthy whilst enjoying classes taught by professional dancers.

"It’s also an opportunity to learn new dance moves and enhance your skills to further forward your education and career.”

The company is designed to give young dancers an opportunity to be taught by dancers working all over the UK, in addition to attending the professional training they receive at their local dance schools.

A series of monthly master classes aim to help to enhance their dance skills and techniques in order to advance to a higher level and ultimately aspire to performing with the WJEC’s National Youth Dance Wales Company with a desire to possibly follow a professional career in dance or performing arts.

If you are aged between 14 and 8, are already dancing on a regular basis, live in the Vale of Glamorgan and are able to give one Saturday a month to "aDvance" your dance skills, then you can register your interest by telephoning NYDW on 029 2026 5060 or emailing nyaw@nyaw.co.uk with "aDvance" in the subject line, providing your name, age, date of birth, telephone number and your dance school, organisation or group.

Confirmation about your audition place and further details will be sent once you have registered.

If you want further information about the dance training course please contact the Arts Development team on 01446 709805 or any of the other arts development services in the local authority areas listed.