The Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival is providing three students from CAPA College the opportunity to gain invaluable experience of working alongside professional artists and arts leaders.
Abigail, Olivia and Sophia, who are on the Dance & Musical Theatre Pathway at the College, will work as part of the Festival management team for the 2021 event. It will be staged across two weekends - 13th/14th & 20th/21st November. They’ll be mentored by Colin Jackson, (Festival Producer), Lauren Frost (Festival Manager) and Jinny Truman (Festival Marketing) to learn how large-scale events are planned, managed and delivered. They’ll be invited to offer fresh ideas on projects and activities that will further enhance the experience for the 1200 children and young people who will take part.
Colin said, “We’re really looking forward to hearing the ideas Olivia, Sophia and Abigail have. Any event for children and young people really should have young voices at the heart of decisions that are made and this is a great opportunity to do just that”.
As well as developing their leadership skills, the three students will be encouraged to consider how their own artistry might be developed. They’ll extend their own dance practice, experience another art form and create new work. In addition, they’ll review arts events, find out about artists and their career paths and make the case for an arts issue they feel passionate about.
In addition to gaining invaluable experience working alongside experienced arts professionals, Olivia, Sophia and Abigail will achieve a Level 3 Certificate in the Arts. They’ll undertake the Gold Arts Award and create portfolios that record their journey over the 9 month mentoring programme.
Sean Selby, Associate Assistant Vice Principal at CAPA College, said, “This is an amazing opportunity for our students to further develop their career choices. Working with Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival will enable them to enrich their leadership skills and gain more of an understanding of teaching. We are looking forward to seeing how the students have contributed to the festival and we will support them along their journey."
Abigail said, "I am incredibly excited and grateful to work with the Yorkshire Schools Dance Festival team and the children and young people who are taking part. This project will unlock many opportunities for me to further develop leadership skills, my own artistic voice and learn about renowned artists and how they developed their own careers."
Sophia said, "I’m am absolutely delighted to be part of this project. I was once an inspired participant involved in the festival, now I am working with a wonderful team of industry professionals to help manage the event. I cannot wait to develop my passion and use my arts skills to assist in staging such an inclusive festival that means so much to young people across Yorkshire. This is an incredible opportunity for me to develop as a young artist and I can’t wait to get started!"
Olivia said, "There are so many aspects of this project which make me incredibly excited to begin the creative process. I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity and will make sure to make the most of working with professionals who have experience in the industry we all feel so passionately about."