Centre for Advanced Training

Thinking about auditioning for CAT? 💭 Hear from our students about what the programme means to them ✨ From training and performances to intensives, creativity and community — CAT is a space to grow, challenge yourself and discover new possibilities in dance 🤍 🗓 Audition: Saturday 16 May 📍 NSCD, Leeds 🔗 Visit the link in our bio 📲 Scan the QR code 🖥️ /take-part/cat/ #NSCDCATScheme #NationalCATScheme #DanceTraining #ContemporaryDance #YoungDancers

Are you a talented young dancer aged 12–16? 💫 Auditions are now open for the Centre for Advanced Training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance for September 2026 entry. 🗓 Saturday 16 May ⏰ 11:00am – 4:00pm 📍 Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Leeds The CAT programme supports passionate and committed young dancers, offering high-quality contemporary dance training to help develop technique, creativity and confidence. No matter your background in dance, we’re looking for enthusiasm, creativity and a willingness to learn 🤗 Interested in applying? 🔗 Visit the link in our bio 📲 Scan the QR code 🖥️ /take-part/cat/ 📸 @ellywelphotography #NSCDCATScheme #NationalCATScheme #DanceTraining #ContemporaryDance #YoungDancers

✨ CAT Outreach Workshops ✨ Bring the NSCD CAT Programme into your school! Our Outreach Workshops offer an inspiring introduction to advanced contemporary dance training for young people aged 13–16. Sessions include contemporary technique, creative work, peer sharing and discussion around next steps. These workshops give students an insight into the CAT programme, helping them build confidence, develop skills and explore progression routes in dance. 📍 Delivered in your school or setting. 👥 Ages 13–16 Interested and want to discover more... 🤔 🔗 Visit the link in our bio 📲 Scan the QR code 💻 Go onto our website: /take-part/cat/ 📸 @ellywelphotography #NSCDCATScheme #NationalCATScheme #DanceTraining #ContemporaryDance #YoungDancers

Thank you @vervenscd ✨ Our wonderful Group C had the opportunity to support VERVE in their performance at the @leedsplayhouse last night. The CAT students performed a new piece by @annacabrev in a curtain raiser just before VERVE took to the stage. Group A and B were there to support their peers from the audience and cheer on VERVE throughout the evening ❤️ Back in January, we were lucky enough to have the company dancers come in and work with all of our groups before heading off on tour. The dancers led technique and creative sessions, as well as teaching our students some of the repertoire from their triple bill, which made this whole experience even more meaningful. From all of us at CAT, thank you for such a special and inspiring experience. Moments like these are so important for young artists 💫

Happy International Dance Day! 💃 🕺 🌟 A huge thank you to our incredible Learning & Participation and CAT team for all the behind the scenes magic you make happen every day. Your dedication keeps everything moving and makes these opportunities possible. And to our wonderful artists - thank you for bringing such energy, creativity, and passion to every class. You truly make them what they are. Without the support behind the scenes, there would be no dancing for our participants to enjoy. Today, we celebrate every single one of you. Happy Dancing! #InternationalDanceDay

CAT auditions coming up! The Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) programme is an extra-curricular training programme designed to prepare young people aged between 13-16 who have the talent, ambition & passion to pursue full-time professional dance training at university or conservatoire level Auditions for entry for September 2026 are: 👉 Saturday 16 May 2026 👉 Saturday 4 July 2026 Previous dance experience is not necessarily what we are looking for in young people, but rather their enthusiasm, potential & commitment! Find out more and sign up via link in bio 📸 @ellywelphotography

☀️ Summer Term ☀️ As we head into an exciting and busy term of rehearsals and preparation for our end of year performance, we’re thrilled to announce the team supporting our dancers along the way ✨ Our amazing tutors @tiiiiaojala , @alice_henry_dance and @annacabrev will be directing the group performance pieces, guiding the students through the process of rehearsals, refining detail and bringing the pieces to life on stage. We can’t wait to see the work unfold 💫 Alongside this, we’re delighted to welcome Jess of @holisticatrainingcentre who will be leading weekly yoga sessions on Saturdays 🤩 With exam season in full swing during the first half term, these sessions are designed to give students a dedicated moment in the week to slow down, reset, and take care of both their bodies and minds. The sessions will combine stretching, mindfulness and meditation to focus on helping students manage stress, improve recovery, and find space for calm within a busy schedules of rehearsals, school, revision and exams🧘‍♀️ Jessica worked as a professional contemporary dancer for many years on stage and television before setting up a holistic therapy dance and wellness studio 'Holistica Health, Fitness and Dance' in 2006. She developed her anatomy, physiology, philosophy, and body healing skills whilst travelling the world and wrote an Amazon best selling book 'The Way You Move Says It All’, creating the blueprint to 'Holistica Training Centre' with a core purpose to provide opportunities for you to think more deeply about YOUR own wellness 📚

Group C 🥰 Thank you so much @linden.dc ! You really put the group through their paces - they rose to the challenge and looked sharp while doing it 👔

Group B 👋 Thank you @southpawcompany and company dancer @lisa.m.r01 for working with the group to restage the company's work Speak Easy! 🎉

Group A ✨ Thank you @sandrinemonin and @stelladenobrega who assisted the group through the week. It's wonderful to have alumni come back and work with the students ❤️

✨ CAT Easter Intensive 2026✨ What a week of creativity, collaboration and hard work! Our CAT dancers dove into new creative work and restaging of a professional piece with our visiting choreographers, pushing themselves and working brilliantly together each day. We culminated in a beautiful sharing on Friday afternoon for family and friends to celebrate their achievement. They absolutely smashed it 💪 A huge thank you goes out to our choreographers @sandrinemonin , @southpawcompany and @lisa.m.r01 along with @linden.dc . Your creativity and energy made this week so special, we're beyond grateful ❤️ So proud of every single dancer and the work they created. What a fantastic step forward as we build towards our end of year show 🎉

✨ CAT Taster Day – Last Few Spaces Remaining 🟥 ✨ Thinking about auditioning for CAT? Come and experience it first. Join us at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance for a full day of contemporary technique, creative work, studio tours, and the chance to observe current CAT students in class. You’ll meet our teaching team, explore our industry-standard facilities, and find out what it really means to train on our pre-vocational programme. 🗓 Saturday 18th April ⏰ 11:00am – 4:00pm 📍 NSCD, 98 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4BH 👥 Ages 12–16 Interested and want to discover more... 🤔 🔗 Visit the link in our bio 📲 Scan the QR code 💻 Go onto our website: /take-part/cat/ 📸 @ellywelphotography #NSCDCATScheme #NationalCATScheme #DanceTraining #ContemporaryDance #YoungDancers