Opportunities for young people

Opportunities for young people

Step Youth Dance Company: SYꞤC

Step into Dance offers talented and committed young dancers the opportunity to get involved with the Step Youth Dance Company, SYꞤC.

If you’re interested in dance as a profession, SYꞤC offers a more serious experience, reflecting the professional expectations of training in the art form. 

SYꞤC is a mixed dance style company and dancers will have the chance to build repertoire in a range of diverse genres. They’ll also build strength, technical skills, and improve their confidence. 

The company aims to challenge your knowledge, experience, performance skills and perspective of dance. Each session allows you to learn, create, express yourself and spend time with other talented young dancers. 

Of course, you’ll also have fun, meet friends, and take advantage of the positive physical and mental health benefits we know dance provides. 

You must be aged between 11-18 years old and be situated in London or Essex to become a member of SYꞤC. 

If you have any questions, please contact the team at stepintodance@rad.org.uk, or call on 020 7326 8036. 

What are the benefits of joining SYꞤC?

You will work on core strength and body alignment and develop your ability and versatility as a dancer. You will train in a variety of styles and have the opportunity to work with a number of different choreographers to create pieces for performances across the year, including our end-of-year celebration of dance, Step Live and at Jack Petchey Achievement Award events.  

Previous Step Youth Dance Company dancers have gone on to train at universities, conservatoires and colleges such as London Contemporary Dance School, Bird College, the BRIT school and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Some even teach for us at Step into Dance! 

Key Dates 2025/2026

Taster day: Sunday 20 July 2025 

Audition: Sunday 28 September 2025 

Key Dates 2026/2027

Taster day: Sunday 19 July 2026 

Audition: Sunday 27 September 2026 

SYꞤC Testimonials

Check out what our young dancers have to say below!

“I first became a part of Step into Dance in 2019 with the contemporary company. Since then, by being a part of SiD, my confidence has massively increased in both my style of movement and performance. I made many new friends and connections over these years.

In dance, I can express myself and any ideas or emotions that I have without verbalising as I convey this in my movement. I feel I can experiment with movement and how it can link to the wider setting.”

Ela

“I love the warm atmosphere and how all the dancers are inclusive, kind and respectful to each other! The studio gives a positive environment and it is a place I love to be. I love how all the staff and choreographers are kind and caring as well. I just love dancing.”

Emre

“I love getting to explore new styles of dance and learning all the material from the teachers!”

Missy

“When I learn a new dance or perfect a technique it makes me feel confident, happy and brave. I have a few mobility issues but dancing helps to keep my body supple and moving so dancing makes me feel strong and resilient.

I definitely feel more confident since joining SYNC. The opportunities to learn from fantastic choreographers has introduced me to dance styles I probably wouldn’t have considered trying and performance opportunities have been great fun learning experiences and great for team bonding! I’ve made new friends and really enjoy the sessions each week.”

Saskia

“I love being able to perform for other people and tell them a story without words.”

SYꞤC Member

Leadership programme

Our Leadership programme is aimed at students who are interested in developing their dance leadership skills through their experiences with Step into Dance. With many exciting projects coming up for our 20th-anniversary year, this is a great time to get involved.  

Dancers must be nominated by their Step into Dance Practitioner, school teacher or youth worker to apply for this programme. Dancers who are selected will have the opportunity to: 

• assist Step into Dance Practitioners in Step into Dance classes taking place at their school/ group, 
• be a role model for other young people in their group and be an advocate for the Step into Dance programme, 
• attend Step into Dance events to gain an insight into the backstage elements of running an event,  
• attend training sessions at the Royal Academy of Dance HQ to learn key leadership skills,  
• be invited as a VIP to events to help promote the programme to prospective students and teachers, and 
• act as a youth voice representative to contribute to the development of the Step into Dance programme. 

As a Step into Dance Leader, we would expect you to:

• positively represent the Step into Dance programme in your group and at Step into Dance events,  
• communicate regularly with the Step into Dance team about your experiences and the ways in which we can develop the programme further,  
• use this opportunity to share your passion for dance with other young people and encourage more people to get involved in dance, and  
• take ownership of your own development with the support of your Step into Dance Practitioner. 

Training and events

There will be a training session on Sunday 1 November 2026 (10am-1pm) and Thursday 18 February 2027 (10:30am-5pm). Both training days will take place at the Royal Academy of Dance Headquarters.  

Leaders will also have the opportunity to get involved in the following events:  

• Step Around Town – various dates/locations in April/May 2027 

• Step Live – The 20^th Anniversary Celebration  – date tbc in July 2027 

• SYNC and Leaders Celebration event – 11 July 2027 

Nominations  

Young people must be nominated by their Step into Dance Practitioner or their school teacher/youth worker to apply for this programme. The application form is to be completed by students who will be asked on the application form who has nominated them for the programme.  

The deadline to apply is Sunday 18 October 2026. 

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