Travelling to take part in a high-profile UK dance event has led to a repeat invitation this year, and also to the chance of further exciting developments in the future for a new Manx dance movement.

After taking a chance on appearing at the U.Dance contemporary youth dance festival last year, dancers from the fledgling Mannin Contemporary Youth Dance company, led by teacher Pippa Salter, have been selected to return to the event, held at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester next month.

’After last year, we went forward and added our name to the 80 other acts who applied to be considered to take part at U.Dance,’ said Pippa. ’The judges pick around 20 of those acts to take part. Not only were we invited, we have in fact be asked to open the whole event.

’For us, from the little Isle of Man, to be part of this, is huge. The dancers are very excited, and the organisers are showing a lot of interest in further collaborations with dancers in the island.

’Our group are beside themselves with excitement. Last year, when we got accepted, I felt sick, as I wasn’t sure what we were getting involved in. We just thought we would go for it.

’And just by being there, we realised we were just as good as everybody else. Yes, there are fantastic companies out there, but now it is for us to strive for that.

’Our students know that they have been chosen to be a part of this, and they will be right up there with everybody else. They are all very excited.’

Appearing at last year’s event led to the formation of many productive collaborations and links with other UK dance groups, which have helped the Manx contemporary dance scene expand and evolve in a short space of time.

’We were invited by the Ludus Youth Dance company, who are based in Lancaster, to do some collaborative work with them. We also brought over four of their dancers who helped us with our performance at Theatrefest last year, which turned out to be a massive success.

’We then went back across last year to for the ’Light Up Lancaster’ event, during November, spending the weekend working with them and dancing in the night.

’Now there are groups showing a lot of interest in further collaborations with dancers in the island, and developing what we call a CAT scheme, a centre for advanced training, which would offer training in contemporary and classical ballet.

’Basically, when our students go away to audition, they are starting 10 years behind those in the UK.

’With a proper centre, they could be better equipped for the audition process. This CAT scheme is something that has grown out of us going to U.Dance last year. It is very exciting.’

The group travel to U.Dance on March 24 for two days of workshops and performance.

For more information on the Mannin Contemporary Youth Dance group, contact Pippa on 453273, or through the Academy of Dance -Isle of Man Facebook page.

by Mike Wade

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