What can people tell me about "National Dance Centres"

[Katymac]

DD has an audition soon.

What do I need to know?

The full thing is "National Dance Centres for Advanced Training (CATs)"

Bare in mind, I know nothing (possibly less than nothing)

[Taximom]

Trying to be brief about this (haha!!). There are CATS at a number of different venues. They are funded through the governments MDS (Music and Dance Scheme) funding which also funds students at the Royal Ballet School, Tring, Elmhurst, and music schools. Generally students are taken from the age of 11 to 16 or 18 and are non residential. In other words it is top class training but includes your local dance school etc. All venues have a contemporary dance strand but there are other strands so for example at Birmingham Dance Xchange there is a contemporary strand for Midlands dancers for a South Asian strand for dancers on a national level. They look for dancers with potential as well as highly trained dancers.

CAT Graduates often go onto full time training, usually but not exclusively at 18, at their 'parent' school. For example my DD was one of the first CAT students and attended at LCDS (London Contemporary Dance School), traveling from the Midlands every weekend. She started when she was 14.5 and has gone on to LCDS and is about to start her 3rd and final undergraduate year there.

Like all Associate Schemes it is very competative. Which centre are you auditioning at? PM me if i can help answer any questions.

Heather
AKA Taximom

[Katymac]

Thanks Heather I have sent you a panicky PM