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CAT- The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training in Dance

Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) in dance help identify, and assist, young people with exceptional potential, regardless of their personal circumstances, to benefit from world-class specialist training as part of a broad and balanced education. This will enable them, if they choose to proceed towards self-sustaining careers in dance.

Students train in the disciplines of contemporary, ballet, contextual, creative and performance studies, whilst giving them an understanding of what a dance career may look like.

@northwestdancecat

More about CAT

 

 

Classes 

CAT Students have 10 to 14 hours a week of training activities, outside their normal school or college hours. They take a minimum of three classes per week at The Lowry and other studios/ theatres within the local area, which include but are not limited to:

Contemporary Technique
Ballet Technique
Yoga/ Pilates/ Progressive Ballet Technique
Creative and Choreography Workshops

 

 

Funding

The scheme provides young people aged 11 – 18 years with accessible and inspirational dance training.

This scheme currently enables around 2,000 exceptionally talented children to have access to the best specialist music and dance training available alongside a good academic education.

The Dance CAT’s are funded by the Department for Education’s (DfE) Music and Dance Scheme (MDS).

More about Funding/Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?

We are now accepting applications to audition for a place on our dance training programme from September 2024!

Please submit your application by filling in the form here: Apply Here

This year we are giving a choice of two audition dates to ensure all interested are able to audition.

Audition Dates: Saturday 27th April or Sunday 23rd June. 

Applicants are encouraged to attend an Open Day prior to their audition. Our Open Days are on Saturday 23rd March and Sunday 12th May. 

Book an Open Day Here

What happens if you are successful?

Successful applicants are able to access highly specialist dance training in their locality, whilst continuing to live at home. This allows students to benefit from a broad and balanced education.

More Questions?

Check out our FAQ’s document

Check out our Students Stories

Watch our video to find out more 

Latest Events 

The Lowry CAT 15th Anniversary Performances

CAT are delighted to be celebrating their 15th anniversary this year. To mark this special moment they will be performing four new works on Saturday 20th July in The Lowry Quays Theatre.

Get in touch

Email: CAT@thelowry.com 

Instagram: @northwestdance 

Facebook: North West Dance 

Twitter: @TheLowryCAT_NW

If you have workshops, performances or job opportunities you would like shared across our networks in the Northwest please get in touch with the team.

U.Dance North West 2024

U.Dance NW is back and we are excited to welcome applications for our 2024 Regional Dance Platform!

U.Dance is a national framework run by One Dance Uk, which helps to improve and inspire dance performance opportunities for young people across the United Kingdom. There are 3 tiers to the frame work, Local, Regional and National.

U.Dance North West is the annual Regional Festival for the North West, delivered by The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays. Our annual regional platform brings together some of the finest youth dance companies and young people’s choreography from across the region.

We’re excited to be holding our Regional festival at The Lowry on Saturday March 09th & Sunday March 10th 2024.

Who Can Apply?

UDance NW welcomes applications from dance groups, schools & youth groups from across the North West Region, in any format of group, solos, duets etc. We welcome groups who work in all genres and styles of dance/dance for film, working with young people aged between 6-19 (or up to 25 for dancers with disabilities). Please read our Regional Guidelines to see all the Strands you can apply for!

U.Dance is for everybody and everyone!

Interested in applying?

1.     Before applying, please read through our Regional Guidelines and Information here.

2.     For further information about the National Festival, please read here.

Once you have read through, please fill in our Expression of Interest Form by Monday December 4th. 

Once you have registered interest, an U.Dance NW Application and video submission form will be sent to you. Return date for your U.Dance NW Application is by January 16th 2024. Successful selections will be informed after a panel review in January 2024.

If you have any questions or queries, please drop us a line at northwestdance@thelowry.com or call 0161 876 2104

You can also visit us at: Instagram: @northwestdance / Facebook: NorthWestDance.