A young dancer from Solihull is preparing to take to the stage in Coventry this week as part of the prestigious National Youth Dance Company (NYDC).
Zachary Turner-Powell was selected from dancers across England to join NYDC, which is run by Sadler’s Wells, and will perform with the company at The Belgrade Theatre on Thursday 23 July, the final date of the company’s current tour.
The company is touring with its new production, Memory Keepers, created by award-winning company Alleyne Dance, run by East London-based identical twin sisters Sadé and Kristina Alleyne. Alleyne Dance has been working with NYDC’s young dancers throughout the academic year. The tour has already taken in Ipswich, Leeds, Falmouth and London before its final stop in Coventry.
Speaking ahead of the performance, Zachary said:
“I could not have imagined doing something like this just a few years ago. Touring with NYDC has been amazing and I’m really excited about performing our last show so close to home.”
Zachary – NYDC – Elly Welford.jpgNYDC brings together 32 dancers from across England and is known for the diversity of its members, who come from a range of dance styles and backgrounds. According to the company, 24% of its dancers come from among the 30% most deprived postcodes in the country.
Nine out of ten young people who join NYDC go on to further training or work in dance or the performing arts, the company says, while others move into different fields entirely. NYDC celebrates the full range of paths its young people take, and the impact that high-level arts experiences can have on them.
All company members also have the opportunity to gain a Gold Arts Award during their year with NYDC, part of a national qualification scheme for young artists and arts leaders.
Memory Keepers plays at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, on Thursday 23 July.
