Dance students have been busy this term, particularly those involved in Wyke College Youth Dance. Following an earlier performance at Middleton Hall, University of Hull, students from Wyke took part in Unite, the 2010 Community Youth Dance Platform, at the Spa Theatre in Bridlington in May.

The project aims to promote dance as a healthy and fun activity to young people across Yorkshire. It also aims to engage regionally significant dance organisations who have an educational or outreach programme in promotion of the key Dance 4 Life messages. Wyke College Youth Dance performed ‘Discovery’. This was a contemporary piece, devised by the group, focusing on body exploration and the awareness of self. These themes aimed to reflect the question of what it means to be healthy, capable and independent in contrast to needing external intervention.

Kathryn Heathcote was one of the dancers who performed at Bridlington, and she is part of a group of Wyke students who have achieved particular success this year. She has gained a place on the gifted and talented scheme run by Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) and Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT). This opportunity enables students to receive professional training in both Contemporary and Ballet. Charlotte (Lottie) Hanson has gained a place on the Foundation Degree course at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. She will begin in September 2010. This is a fantastic achievement for a student of her age! NSCD is considered to be one of the main conservatoires for Contemporary Dance in the North of England and competition for places is fierce.

Emma Metcalfe is a Wyke second year student but who has only completed AS Dance this year and has already successfully secured a place at Newcastle University on their BA (Hons) Dance Degree programme. All in all, dance at Wyke has had a great year!