Renowned Spanish choreographer Mario Bermúdez will create a new work specially for National Youth Dance Wales’s 2023 company, to be premiered in Newport in November.
As part of National Youth Dance Wales’s intensive summer residency, 20 of Wales’s most talented young dancers will come together in Cardiff to learn from a roster of talented choreographers and dance artists. This year, for the first time, they will work with acclaimed choreographer Mario Bermúdez to create a brand new work exploring themes of tribal movement, textures and relationships during their two-week residency.
Mario Bermúdez, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Marcat Dance, is a prolific creator who has developed a recognizable movement language known for its dynamic physicality and long-lasting emotional impact. His work has previously been performed by many international companies including National Dance Company Wales.
Jamie Jenkins, Producer of National Youth Dance Wales, said: "This collaboration represents an exciting convergence of talent, creativity, and dedication. It is a testament to the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence that defines National Youth Dance Wales."
The young dancers will also work with Welsh choreographer, and NYDW alumnus, Daisy Howell – creating a new work for film influenced by rave culture and the energy and playfulness of movement.
The members will also benefit from daily classes and a full wellbeing programme. The young dancers from Wales aged 16-22 will benefit from the programme, providing first-class training and performance opportunities. The dancers were selected by audition, with auditions taking place in locations in every part of Wales – representing the very best of young Welsh talent.
New Work by Mario Bermúdez
This new work, performed by the NYDW company of 2023, will receive its world premiere at The Riverfront, Newport, on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November 2023. The work will be one of three works performed each evening, with works by Ballet Cymru Artistic Director Darius James and choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis performed by dance company Ballet Cymru.
National Youth Dance Wales’s year-round programme
The summer residency is just one part of National Youth Dance Wales’s programme of work, including:
- NYDW members at U.Dance Festival 2023 – NYDW members, Isaac and Layla, choreographed and performed their own duet as part of the prestigious U.Dance National Festival in Newcastle. As part of a celebration of youth dance from across the UK, presented by One Dance UK, Isaac and Layla represented Wales on the Northern Stage, captivating audiences from across the UK. Their work not only demonstrated their exceptional technical prowess, but also their storytelling through performance. Commenting on the performance, NYDW Producer Jamie Jenkins said: "We are immensely proud of these two remarkable dancers from Wales who have represented our nation with such elegance and passion on the Northern Stage, Newcastle. Their journey to the U Dance National Festival is a testament to their hard work.”
- Celtic Collective – now in its third year, this exchange programme with the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland gives young performers in both countries the opportunity to learn from each other and from different professional artists. In 2023, one dancer from Wales has already experienced life on tour as a company dancer with NYDCS, including performing at the Dublin Youth Dance Festival – and one dancer from Scotland will perform as part of the NYDW company in this year’s residency and world premiere at The Riverfront, Newport.
National Youth Dance Wales is one of the six national youth ensembles delivered by National Youth Arts Wales, the charity for young performers and creatives aged 11-25 in Wales. National Youth Arts Wales receives regular funding from Arts Council of Wales, as a member of the Arts Portfolio Wales.