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.

SYNC 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. Working with high-profile dance companies such as Rambert School, you will develop your technique and choreographic skills in dance styles from Hip Hop culture.

Throughout the year you will perform new choreographic work at a number of events, including our annual Battle, and our end-of-year celebration of dance, Step Live Festival.

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 2024/2025

Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Audition date (22 September)	Term begins: 10 January – 16 February	Term begins: 25 April – 25 May
Term begins: 29 September – 27 October	February half term: 23 February	May half term: 1 June
October half term: 3 November	Term resumes: 2 March – 6 April	Term resumes: 8 June – 13 July
Term resumes: 10 November – 15 December

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

students in SYNC dance group socialising

“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 in their Step into Dance sessions.

Dancers should be nominated by their Step into Dance Practitioner or school teacher 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 in their 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 as a VIP 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 24 November 2024 (12-5pm) and Thursday 20 February 2025. 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 into Dance Battle Event – 1 February 2025

Step Around Town – various dates/ locations in April/ May 2025

Step Live – 1 July 2025

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 21 October 2024.

Check out Battle 2024!

What’s on

Community

A Celebration of Male Dancers in Paintings

Wednesday 15 January 2025 – Sunday 11 May 2025

Monday – Friday 9am – 7pm
Saturday – Sunday 9am – 5.30pm

London (UK)

Free

Opportunities for young people