BBC launches search for greatest young dancers in the country

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/02/bbc-launches-search-young-dancers

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Top names in dance such as Matthew Bourne, Akram Khan and Tamara Rojo are among the judges in a BBC search to find the country’s greatest young dancers.

A nationwide hunt will look for outstanding talent in ballet, hip hop, south Asian and contemporary dance with a series of programmes to be screened next year for the first BBC Young Dancer 2015 competition.

Performers will be aiming to land one of six places in the BBC2 grand final at Sadler’s Wells in London, while the build-up will feature on BBC4.

Dancers aged 16 to 20 will battle through heats with the hope of appearing in the May 9 final before choreographers Bourne, Khan, Wayne McGregor and Kenrick Sandy, as well as English National Ballet artistic director Rojo and the artistic director of Sadler’s Wells, Alistair Spalding.

Announcing details of the contest, director general Tony Hall said: “There are many tremendously talented young people in our country just looking for a chance – and a platform – to show what they can do.

“That’s why the BBC is working with top names in dance to develop a programme that will not only find the young dance performers of the future, but give them a real break at the very start of their professional careers, and the opportunity to perform in front of the leading experts in their field.”

The contest will also be reflected in programmes on Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3 and the Asian Network.

Ballet star Carlos Acosta is to be an ambassador for the contest.

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