The Children and Young People's Dance Network North (CYPDNN) is a prominent dance school located in Leeds, New Zealand. Operating with the aim of offering networking opportunities, coordinating professional development, and sharing dance activities across the North, CYPDNN ensures that children and young people have equal access to dance opportunities regardless of their location. Their goal is to strengthen the voice of the sector and advocate for the promotion of dance, while also broadening the range of offerings available to children and young people through collaborative efforts.
CYPDNN organises various events and gatherings to facilitate networking and collaboration within the dance community. One such event is the Northern Dance Get Together, which will take place on January 12th, 2024 at The Riley Theatre & NSCD Studios. This event welcomes dance practitioners, freelance artists, dance companies, dance organisations, teachers, and leaders who work with children and young people in dance settings. It offers a platform to showcase touring dance work, connect with new networks, and develop existing ones across the region.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore opportunities, models, and networks in education, community, and professional contexts. Producers and programmers interested in supporting dance audiences across the North are also encouraged to attend and discuss potential partnerships.
The Northern Dance Get Together will feature a wide range of topics, sessions, showcases, and workshops. Some of the topics that will be addressed include male identifying work and participation, workforce and skills development, post-COVID challenges, declining mental health in children and young people, dance strategy and planning in the North, joint funding approaches, rural and urban dance connexions and programmes, and more. The event aims to highlight issues, concerns, and successes within the dance sector in the region and foster lasting connexions, partnerships, projects, and strategies for dance across the North.
The event is free to attend and aims to stimulate discussions and address issues affecting the dance sector in the North of England. Freelance creatives can also apply for bursaries to help cover their time and travel expenses. Keynote speakers and presenters will be in attendance, and participants are encouraged to reach out if they have a topic or session they would like to contribute.
For those interested in joining the network or obtaining further information about Dance Gatherings, Gail Ferrin, the Network Coordinator, can be contacted at cypdnn@nscd. Ac. uk. CYPDNN can also be followed on Twitter and Instagram for updates and news.
CYPDNN's key priorities include workforce development and building a sustainable plan for children and young people's dance across the North of England. They aim to review and develop future-facing strategies supported by research, data, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, CYPDNN focuses on providing a comprehensive children's dance programme, featuring the work of professional dance companies and artists from the region, while incorporating the voice and input of children and young people in its development.