Dance South West

Youth Dance England (YDE), the national organisation that champions and promotes dance for children and young people, has just launched England’s first National Young Dance Ambassadors scheme with a group of seven young people taking the helm. They will act as ambassadors for young people’s dance and for the organisation nationally, spreading the message of YDE’s aims to increase access, raise standards and improve progression routes in dance for all children and young people across England.

These enthusiastic and dynamic recruits, all past participants of Youth Dance England’s programmes, were selected for their creative energy, their ability to convey a passion for dance and their drive to make a difference to other young people’s experience of dance.

The young advocates will act as an extension of the YDE team, communicating the voice of young people and working with YDE on various aspects from advising on programme development, to blogging and promoting YDE’s work in schools and at events.

Four out of the seven National Young Dance Ambassadors took part in YDE Stride! 2009, YDE’s leadership programme for young people who want to develop their skills and boost their career prospects. The three other ambassadors have participated in YDE choreographic initiatives like YDE Young Creatives and National Youth Dance Festivals, contributing to the development of talented young people’s creative and leadership skills.

The new National Young Dance Ambassadors (NYDAs) are:

• Demi Cooper, 16 years old, from Solihull in the West Midlands.
• James Cousins, 20 years old, from North London.
• Taha Ghauri, 17 years old, from New Malden in South West London
• Naomi Hosier, 15 years old, from West London.
• Lowenna Hosken, 17 years old, from Redruth in the South West.
• Amy Hutchinson, 16 years old, from Potton near in the East.
• Paul Milford, 17 years old, from Southampton in the South East.

Lowenna Hosken commented: “From being carried to dance classes as a baby, to being a National Young Dance Ambassador, dance has always been an integral part of my life. As I grew up I discovered the various other opportunities within dance – such as teaching and development. I love to see other dancers and dance as a whole move forward and progress because of an input I have made. I hope to help raise the awareness of dance for everyone however it may relate to them.”

Linda Jasper, Director of Youth Dance England said “I am delighted that we have appointed seven inspirational individuals to work with to encourage more young people to take part in dance. They will make sure that we have direct access to young people’s views to ensure that our programmes are meeting their needs and help us shape our future work.”