Dance Discovery Day comes to Theatr Clwyd this March

Young people aged 12–22 with a passion for dance are invited to take part in an exciting Dance Discovery Day, delivered by National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) in partnership with Theatr Clwyd, Ballet Cymru and National Dance Company Wales, at Theatr Clwyd, Mold, on Sunday 1 March 2026. 

Running from 10.30AM - 3PM, this fun, inclusive and engaging day will give participants the chance to explore a wide range of dance activities, discover new styles and work alongside professional dance artists in a supportive and welcoming environment. Open to all experience levels and dance backgrounds, the day is designed to inspire curiosity, build confidence and celebrate creativity. 

Whether you’re new to dance or already training regularly, Dance Discovery Day offers a unique opportunity to connect with leading dance organisations in Wales, try something new and meet other young people who share a love of movement. 

Dance Discovery Day highlights include: 

• Exploring new dance styles 

• Working with professional dance artists 

• A fun, inclusive and supportive atmosphere 

• Open to all dance styles and experience levels.
  

Event details:

Where? Theatr Clwyd, Mold 
When? Sunday 1 March 2026 
Time? 10.30AM - 3PM


Don’t miss this opportunity to discover, create and dance with NYDW, Ballet Cymru and NDCWales in North Wales!

Sign up today via nyaw.org.uk/whats-on 

For more information, please contact jamiejenkins@nyaw.org.uk. 

U.Dance is calling on Youth Dance Groups across Wales

If you love dance and want to perform on a national stage, U.Dance Cymru 2026 could be your moment. 

National Youth Arts Wales has opened applications for U.Dance Cymru, part of the UK-wide U.Dance programme that celebrates young dancers and dance groups. It’s all about giving young people the chance to share their work, meet other dancers and be part of the UK’s biggest youth dance festival.

What is U.Dance?  

U.Dance is for dancers aged 11–19, or up to 25 if you’re a disabled dancer. It doesn’t matter what style you dance - hip hop, contemporary, street, fusion, or other - if you’re passionate about dance, you’re welcome. 

Groups selected through U.Dance Cymru could be chosen to represent Wales at the U.Dance National Festival 2026, happening 3-5 July in Glasgow. The festival includes live performances, dance films, workshops, and chances to connect with dancers from across the UK. 

Jamie Jenkins, Head of Dance for National Youth Dance Wales says: 
 
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with One Dance UK and our partners to support a youth dance company/dance group from Wales to perform in Glasgow at the U.Dance National Festival. Over previous years, a number of outstanding groups have showcased their skills to audiences across the UK, including Rubicon Dance, Monmouthshire Youth Dance Company, NDCWales Young Associates and Fusion Elite. We are incredibly proud of the talent and creativity within the youth dance sector in Wales and look forward to seeing the next generation of dancers take to the national stage. Please do reach out if you have any questions.”   

Golygfa - NYDW, U Dance National Festival Newcastle (2023)

How Can You Get Involved? 

Dance groups can apply in one of two ways: 

• U.Dance On Stage – perform live on stage (up to 30 dancers) 

• U.Dance On Screen – submit a dance film (no limit on group size) 

Your dance piece needs to be 2–7 minutes long and original. The deadline to apply is 15 March 2026. 

All applications are reviewed by dance professionals, and successful groups will be put forward to One Dance UK for the national festival. 

Why Apply? 

U.Dance isn’t just about performing, it’s about: 

• Meeting other young dancers 

• Taking part in workshops 

• Learning about the dance industry 

• Gaining confidence and experience 

• Having fun doing what you love. 
  
  

If you’re part of a youth dance group in Wales, check out the full details and how to apply.

Who knows? Your next performance could be on a national stage! 

PREMIERE: Celebrating 25 Years of National Youth Dance Wales

National Youth Dance Wales is Celebrating 25 incredible years of providing dance opportunities for young Welsh dancers and artists from across the nation. To celebrate they have created a short documentary to mark the occasion. 

Since 2000, NYDW has supported hundreds of young dancers, helping them realise their potential and develop their dance abilities, creative voices, and talent while working with leading choreographers, outstanding practitioners, and makers, and performing on stages and screens across Wales and beyond. Over the past 25 years, hundreds of young people have had the opportunity to train, create, and share their love of dance through NYDW’s programmes. 

NYDW, Sadler’s Wells (2025)

Now, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at all the magic in the new documentary: National Youth Dance Wales: Celebrating 25 Years premiering on Wales’ digital home for Welsh culture, AM. Filmed by On Par Productions, expect highlights, impact and memories from dancers past and present. 

“National Youth Dance Wales made me understand.... how to work really, really hard, but also really love what you’re doing.”
- Anthony Matsena, NYDW 2014-16 Alumni 

Date? Wednesday 28 January 
Time? 7.00–7.15pm 
Where? Online on AM’s digital platform 

Whether you’ve been a NYDW member, followed their performances, or just love dance, this is your chance to find out about the journey of the nation’s youth dance organisation and celebrate its impact on dancers from all over Wales.  

National Youth Dance Wales announces Osian Meilir as 2026 Guest Choreographer

We’re excited to announce former National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) Alumni, Welsh choreographer, movement artist and performer Osian Meilir will be joining NYDW as Guest Choreographer for 2026. 

Osian Meilir

Originally from West Wales, Osian blends a deep-rooted love of Welsh folk dance with contemporary movement, bringing a rich sense of identity, community and cultural storytelling to his work. 

The former NYDW alumni and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance graduate's creations have toured across the UK and internationally - from festival stages in Australia’s Ten Days on the Island, to performances at Biennale de la Danse Lyon.  

Osian Meilir was a member of National Youth Dance Wales between 2014 - 16 under the Artist Direction of Errol White, and later Kerry Nicholls. During his time with NYDW, Osian performed several notable pieces including H3re by choreographer Odette Hughes, Scuse Me while I kiss the sky choreographed by Theo Clinkard, and aM choreographer by Kerry Nicholls. 

Head of Dance and Producer, Jamie Jenkins, says: “Osian’s work celebrates Welsh identity through bold storytelling and expressive, exciting choreography that connects community and culture. We’re thrilled to welcome him back this time as an inspiring and dynamic choreographer ready to stretch, challenge, and ignite the creativity of our National Youth Dance Wales dancers. We can’t wait to see the impactful work he creates with them next year.” 

NYDW 2026 Guest Choreographer, Osian Meilir, says:
"I'm very excited to be creating with NYDW this year. Being a former member of the company myself, I know how important and informative those years of training were in my development as a young dancer. I'm looking forward to meeting and working with the incredible young dancers of Wales and to be back as part of the NYDW family." 

For NYDW’s 2026 company, Osian will lead a creative collaboration, guiding some of Wales’ exceptional young dancers through an exciting journey of training, creation and performance. Under his direction, the dancers will explore new movement languages, deepen their artistic identity and join to create bold, original work which will be premiered on stage, as well as on film across Wales in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and heritage sites. 

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the next generation of Welsh dance than by partnering with a former alumni and artist whose commitment to culture, community and creative expression echoes National Youth Arts Wales values. 

Welcome back, Osian – your stage awaits! 

Applications for National Youth Dance Wales are currently open and close on 11th February 2026. To find out more about auditioning for NYDW, click here. 

Your Stage Awaits: National Youth Dance Wale2026 Auditions Now Open!

Wales’ most dynamic youth dance opportunity returns - bigger, bolder, and more ambitious than ever. 

National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) is calling on young dancers from every corner of Wales to step into the spotlight as auditions for the 2026 company officially open. This is the chance for dancers to train, create and perform together. 

Twenty Tales (2023)

NYDW 2026 promises an extraordinary journey, offering young dancers a taste of life as a professional artist. Company members will: 

• Train intensively with renowned practitioners and leading dance tutors 

• Push their physical and creative limits 

• Refine their individual artistic voices 

• Receive dedicated well-being support to strengthen physical and mental resilience. 

This holistic approach ensures every dancer thrives - in the studio and on stage. 

For 2026, NYDW is raising the creative bar even higher. Dancers will collaborate closely with a guest choreographer and an exceptional creative team, including costume designers, lighting designers, and film makers. Together they will bring to life an electrifying new piece premiered live in Wales and an original dance-on-film shot on location in some of Wales’ most breathtaking landscapes, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and iconic heritage sites. 

Joining NYDW means becoming part of Wales’ official national youth dance company - a vibrant, supportive community of talented young artists united by passion and ambition. Through high-level technical training and imaginative creative exploration, dancers will develop the skills needed for careers across the dance sector celebrating the power, potential, and diversity of Wales’ next generation of dancers. 

Key Dates 

• Auditions Launch: Wednesday 3 December 2025 – Now open! 

• Application Deadline: Wednesday 11 February 2026 

• Results Announced: Tuesday 31 March 2026 

Who Can Apply 

NYDW is seeking young dancers aged 16–22 (aged 16–22 on 31 August 2026) who: 

• Live or study full-time in Wales or were born in Wales 

• Regularly train in dance through their school/college, private dance school, or local youth dance company 

• Are working at intermediate level or above. 

You may audition at age 15, provided you will be 16 by 31 August 2026. 
 
 
Your Stage Awaits! 

This is your moment. Your community. Your stage. 

To be part of NYDW 2026 and help shape a bold new future for Welsh dance, apply now. 

For more information, visit: nyaw.org.uk/nydw-2026

Beyond the Mirror: National Youth Dance Wales member’s bold documentary challenges dance industry beauty standards

Through her documentary Beyond the Mirror, National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) 2025 Member, Phoebe Clark, is amplifying the voices of young dancers determined to redefine the dance industry. Rooted in her own experiences, the documentary challenges harmful beauty standards and empowers young dancers to embrace their worth beyond physical appearance. With the support of NYDW - a space where young artists are celebrated for who they are - Phoebe is encouraging others to engage in a conversation that celebrates authenticity, resilience, and talent.  
 
“I created my documentary Beyond the Mirror as part of my university dissertation, but it quickly became much more than an academic project. It was a deeply personal journey; an opportunity to challenge the norms of the dance industry and ignite a movement toward change.” 

Photo by Sian Trenberth

“Countless other dancers have faced similar judgment and pressure. Beyond the Mirror became a platform to give voice to these stories and to advocate for a more inclusive, supportive, and realistic vision of what it means to be a dancer.”  

“NYDW has always been a place where I’ve felt truly safe, valued, and seen, not for how I look, but for who I am and what I bring as an artist. It has a family-like atmosphere that prioritizes the inner qualities: your purpose, purity, talent, and personality, rather than your appearance or how you dress. When I was 16, at a time when I was hearing things no young person should have to hear, NYDW became my anchor. It kept me dancing. Whether they knew it or not, the support and reassurance I received from them reminded me that I was talented and worthy, and that meant everything.” 

National Youth Arts Wales’s Head of Dance, Jamie Jenkins said:

“Phoebe’s documentary is a powerful and deeply moving reflection on the realities of navigating the performing arts industry with diverse physiques and appearances. Her honesty and courage in sharing her personal journey are nothing short of inspiring. By speaking out with such vulnerability and strength, she is not only owning her story but also lighting the way for others to stand up, reach out, and challenge harmful behaviours. At NYDW, we are proud to champion individuality, celebrate diversity, and nurture a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to be exactly who they are.” 

Photo by Sian Trenberth

“This year, I’m excited to connect with more dancers, work with choreographer Yukiko Masui, and to take our piece to London for a performance at Sadler’s Wells East. It’s a remarkable opportunity. I’m looking forward to training alongside like-minded individuals and immersing myself in an environment filled with exceptional talent and shared passion.”, says Dancer, Performer and Teacher, Phoebe Clark. 

National Youth Dance Wales marks 25 years in 2025 and was celebrated with a special performance at Sadler’s Wells East on 25th July – earning a standing ovation and rousing applause. The dance ensemble return to Wales for two performances at The Riverfront, Newport, on 30th and 31st October with Ballet Cymru. For more information and to book tickets, click here.  

Watch Phoebe’s documentary below…

Outstanding Dance Made in Wales: Ballet Cymru and National Youth Dance Wales Present an Autumn Triple Bill

Ballet Cymru will be hosting an exciting collaboration with National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) in a shared triple bill at The Riverfront, Newport, on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October.  

Showcasing three extraordinary short works by world-class choreographers, the evening features Momentum – Undone by Marcus Jarrell Willis, Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, known for his signature blend of humour and seamless musicality. Ballet Cymru Artistic Directors Darius James OBE and Amy Doughty present a brand-new creation, Woven, especially for this programme.  

Celebrating 25 years of National Youth Dance Wales, the young dancers return as special guests for the third consecutive year, performing The Night is Darkest Just Before The Dawn by acclaimed choreographer Yukiko Masui, which showcases powerful movement, blending Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Martial Arts. The piece is described as a tribute to ‘quiet champions’ - people who stand beside us in life’s darkest moments and support us without recognition. 

Talking about the piece, Masui said: “This piece was inspired by a superhero character, where they are so powerful but they’re working in the darkest nighttime, so it’s not like you get a spotlight to shine but it’s about doing something for others and being a powerful figure when nobody is watching you.” 

U.Dance National Festival 2025 at Sadler’s Wells East presented by One Dance UK, photo Dance Photographer UK/Point of View Photography. 

Under the direction of Yukiko Masui and Jamie Jenkins, Head of Dance at National Youth Arts Wales, the company has been nurtured through a variety of technique classes, creative exploration sessions, wellbeing classes and mentorships, largely delivered by NYDW alumni.  

National Youth Dance Wales 2025 member Carlie, from Neath, said: “It’s finally October and that means that NYDW’s performance is only a few weeks away and we can’t wait! I am excited for this performance because we get to share the stage with the amazing Ballet Cymru. This performance feels extra special, as the company are reunited to perform in Wales, representing our country, sharing our passion and hard work with the audience. We hope to see you all there at Newport Riverfront Theatre on October the 30th and 31st!”  

 National Youth Dance Wales 2025 member Jack, from Swansea said: “I’m so excited to be performing again with National Youth Dance Wales this October. It’s such an amazing opportunity to share the stage with such talented dancers and to perform work by choreographer Yukiko Masui. I can’t wait to bring all our hard work to life and share this experience with the audience. I'm so proud to be a dancer of National Youth Dance Wales.” 

During the summer, NYDW’s 25th Year company came together in Cardiff for an intensive two-week residency to create and rehearse the extended version of the work before heading to Sadler’s Wells East, London, for its premiere alongside National Youth Dance Company Scotland and National Youth Dance Company, where they received a standing ovation. 

For your final chance to catch this special performance, book your tickets today. Ticket prices are set between £17 and £20, with concessions available.   

U.Dance National Festival 2025 at Sadler’s Wells East presented by One Dance UK, photo Dance Photographer UK/Point of View Photography.